Today we’d like to introduce you to Daneisha Simon.
Hi Daneisha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Of course! I got started professionally back in January 2015. I was jumping from job to job, trying to find a balance in my home and work life. I worked almost 10 jobs in 2014 and got pretty frustrated with being under someone else’s “authority”. This is when I realized I wouldn’t really be satisfied until I worked for myself. I couldn’t continue to clock in, request time off to spend with my family, work hours I didn’t like. I needed my own control. So, I decided to start my own business!
I started with YouTube University, as most of us do, and watched a TON of cake-decorating videos, tips, and tricks to get started. From there, I focused on the biggest staple in my growth- practice. I made cakes for literally everyone when I could, trying different designs and styles. I needed a way to show people what I could do while also perfecting the craft. Now, I did learn a lot of lessons the hard way, I will admit, but patience and tenacity are what got me to the skill level I am today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In no way has it been smooth. I’ve had just as many struggles as successes, far more than I’d like to recall, but I think it helps to make a great artist and business owner. It’s a bit weird, but feeling that disappointment definitely makes you focus on the lesson to take from the experience and remembering what got you into the position you don’t ever want to be in again.
One of the biggest struggles I’ve had was making the decision to go full-time in my business and quit my job. I needed to prove a lot to myself before I fully committed and even once I hit all of my marks, I still hesitated. That comfortability and assurance a regular job provides is not easy to walk away from, and I stayed at my last job almost a year after I was technically ready to let it go because of this feeling, But I knew that nothing would be able to give me the financial freedom and flexibility like being my own boss.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a luxury cake artist here in Atlanta, and I create unique, unforgettable moments through edible works of art. From custom cakes and treats to out-of-the-box birthday and wedding displays, I can turn your pastry dreams into a reality. My client base is a mix of individuals, from the stay-at-home moms to celebrities and fortune 500 companies.
I’m most proud of the Shaq Give Back collaboration we did with him and Pepsi, where we provided 2000 cupcakes to local hospital workers in the midst of the pandemic. Being able to give back on such a large scale was so rewarding in more ways than one. I now make sure my business is able to give back to at least 1 foundation every year.
I believe the biggest thing that sets me apart from other cake artists is my customer service. I don’t just sell cakes; I offer an experience. From the first time you visit my website to the day of your event, each step along the way was carefully created to ensure the client’s experience is enjoyable and enlightening, if you will. Phone calls are answered, and any voicemails are returned; inquiries receive a response in a significantly well-timed fashion. My team and I go above and beyond to ensure the experience is nothing less than pleasant.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I would consider myself somewhat of a risk taker, only because I tend to overthink a lot more than I’d like, but if it’s something I’m married to, then I’m more likely to take a risk. If the benefit heavily outweighs the risk, then I look at it as, why not? Because I’m the type of person who will ponder on situations like this for months, even years later, if I decide against a risk. What’s that famous saying? You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Every risk doesn’t pay off the way I’d like them to, of course, but the fact that I stepped out of my comfort zone is a lot more satisfaction that most people probably think.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pastryaddictco.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/pastryaddictco
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/pastryaddictco
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@pastryaddictco
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@pastryaddictco
Image Credits
Craig Obrist Photography
Cheyenne Rose Photography
Photos by W
