We recently had the chance to connect with Briana Dargan and have shared our conversation below.
Briana, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity, without a doubt. While energy can fluctuate and intelligence can be learned and sharpened over time, integrity is the core of who you are when no one’s watching. It guides how you treat people, how you make decisions, and how you carry yourself in the world. In business and in life, I believe integrity builds trust and trust is the foundation of everything meaningful. Intelligence and energy are valuable, but without integrity, those qualities can easily be misused. Integrity keeps you grounded, consistent, and aligned with your purpose.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Briana Dargan, and I’m the owner and creative force behind Sammie’s Sweetz, a luxury in-home cake studio based in Douglasville, Georgia. I specialize in custom cakes and treats for weddings, birthdays, and life’s most unforgettable moments. What makes Sammie’s Sweetz unique is that everything I create is deeply personal. Every design, every flavor, every detail is made with love and intention.
What makes Sammie’s Sweetz special is the heart behind every creation. I built this business from my home kitchen, balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, fueled by passion, purpose, and prayer. Over the years, it’s grown into a thriving brand that continues to evolve and bless my family, all while serving others with love and intention.
Right now, I’m focusing on expanding into the luxury wedding market, refining my signature cake experience, and laying the groundwork for digital offerings to help other bakers grow their own businesses. Sammie’s Sweetz is more than just cake. It’s proof that with faith, vision, and integrity, you can build something beautiful right where you are.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that truly shaped how I see the world was entering my 30s. It was more than just a new decade. It was a spiritual awakening. It felt like a switch flipped inside of me. I became more grounded, more intentional, and more spiritually connected with each passing year. But turning 33, what many call the “Jesus year”, was especially transformational. It was as if a floodgate opened within me. I began to see people, relationships, and even myself in a new light.
I’ve always been someone who loves deeply. When I care about people, I show up for them with my whole heart. But over the years, that same loving nature has also left me heartbroken, especially by people I once considered close friends. I experienced moments where I showed up wholeheartedly, but the energy wasn’t reciprocated. It hurt, and if I’m honest, I cried through more birthdays than I care to admit.
That pain shaped me but it didn’t harden me. It deepened my understanding. It’s one of the reasons why Sammie’s Sweetz means so much to me. Creating cakes for people’s celebrations is my way of pouring love into others on their special day. I know how it feels to feel overlooked or forgotten, so I go the extra mile to make sure others feel seen, celebrated, and cherished. That purpose keeps me going. It turns my past heartbreak into something beautiful and meaningful.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Turning 30 was the moment everything began to shift. It was like a quiet but powerful activation, one that made me more conscious of who I was, where I had been, and where I was going. For most of my life, I carried pain in silence. I masked it with strength, with smiles, with pushing through. But as I stepped into my 30s, I slowly began to realize that my pain wasn’t something to be ashamed of, it was a part of my story, and it had value.
Now, just weeks away from 35, I feel another evolution happening. I no longer feel the need to hide what hurt me. I’ve embraced it, processed it, and now I speak from a place of power, not pity. I’m more expressive, more honest, and more willing to share the hard parts, because I know that my experiences can be a source of light for someone else.
What I once buried, I now offer as a bridge for connection, healing, and growth. And in doing so, I’ve found a new level of purpose, not just in my business, but in my voice, my womanhood, and my walk through life. That shift has been both liberating and divine.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, and it’s becoming more true every day.
There was a time when I felt like I had to water myself down to be accepted or to fit into certain boxes. But the older I get, the more I realize we are all just human, figuring life out as we go. We’re not here to impress the world. We’re here to live, to feel, and to experience this journey in a way that brings us joy and peace.
Happiness is the goal, and that’s hard to achieve when you’re busy performing for other people’s expectations. These days, I show up with more honesty, more softness, and more confidence in who I truly am. The version of me that the world sees now is much closer to the one I live with privately. That alignment is the real freedom.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
They would miss the love, the intention, and the artistry I pour into every single creation. I don’t just bake cakes. I craft experiences. Every design, every flavor, every detail is made to reflect the story, the energy, and the moment it’s meant to celebrate.
My clients know that when they order from me, they’re not just getting a dessert. They’re getting something that was made with heart. Something meaningful. Whether it’s a wedding, a birthday, or a “just because,” I create with the kind of care that makes people feel seen, special, and celebrated.
If I were to step away, I think that’s what they’d miss most. The personal touch and the feeling that their moment really mattered to me. Because it always does.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://SammiesSweetzLLC.com
- Instagram: @_SammiesSweetz
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/SammiesSweetz
