Meet Don “Adeeperrhythm” Sparks of BLISScakedup in East Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Don “adeeperrhythm” Sparks.

Don, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
BLISScakedup was born out of the Covid-19 pandemic. I am an accomplished DJ/Producer and event designer who’s life was completely changed due to the pandemic. Mine, like many other lives, faced the almost immediate end to business as usual. In this time of uncertainty, I decided to spend some time thinking through and praying through my next steps.

So lets take a step back prior to the pandemic. When i wasn’t rocking’ crowds and producing electronic dance music, I loved making desserts for my family and friends, so I decided to come up with a flavor-infused butter cake. After about 30 attempts, I finally got it to my liking and tested it on my friends during a pot luck at my house. They loved it! Another good friend of mine, Brett, owner of Mix’d Up Burgers in Atlanta, tasted it and loved it. He and his wife, Jess, had the crazy idea of adding it to the menu and I jumped at the opportunity! After about a month, we realized that this could really work. Customers were ordering and loving the, what is know known as, BLISScakes! This began my journey of creating a brand in the food space. As I start working to build awareness of my new creation at the restaurant, the pandemic hits and the restaurant is shut down!

Now I had, what I thought, was a great product and no way to get people to experience it. So back to prayer, I went, and the idea of creating an online store option came to mind, so I got to work. I wanted to expand my purpose of BLISScakedup by not just selling a product, but by using a portion of the sales to help others. So, I decided to donate a meal to someone in need for every BLISScake we sell. We also sell BLISSswag, which consists of branded Tees and other items and a portion of those sales go to help in other ways in our communities. With this expanded purpose, I got to work and got incorporated, built a website and started another journey to bring BLISScakedup to life. I literally had to learn an entirely new business from scratch, thank goodness for YouTube, along with my amazing family and friends. Within 90 days of the pandemic shut down, I launched BLISScakedup.com and now anyone in the US can order BLISScakes and have them shipped right to their door! I started with my two staple flavors, Butter-Almond and Chocolate-Raspberry and was open for business. I posted on social media and an outpour of love turned into over 200 orders in our 1st month. This meant over 200 meals donated. I was overwhelmed and excited about the challenge, so now we are looking to continue to build and grow our brand so we can help many more during this time of need and beyond.

Now, we have worked to create some awesome added flavors that we will be launching as limited edition seasonal flavors for fall, winter, spring and summer, with a few specialty flavors added throughout the year, as well. We have to keep those taste buds on their toes! So tell your friends, family and have them tell their friends and family, and let’s Share The BLISS through BLISScakedup!

Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road, but it has been exciting. I have had many struggles along this new journey in my life. One major struggle is financing. Since I had to start from scratch with no additional income due to the pandemic, I had to figure out the most affordable and efficient way to launch without compromising of the quality of my BLISScake product. This is where research and asking others in the business you are trying to enter is so helpful. Also, the lack of finance impacts marketing opportunities, which means you are asking a lot of your friends, family and social media connects to help spread the word. You can’t be afraid to ask for help. No one succeeds alone. It takes a village, so start creating your village and surround yourself with others who are like-minded and this gives the members of that village the opportunity to help and support each other. While BLISScakedup is just starting out and have a long way to go, I am truly thankful for my village on this journey to my version of success, which is centered around the ability to serve others and enrich lives!

So, as you know, we’re impressed with BLISScakedup – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Blisscakedup is an online bakery brand and our featured product is called the BLISScake! Our BLISScake is a uniquely flavor-infused 4-inch mini butter cake. We have two staple flavors, Butter-Almond and Chocolate-Raspberry. Our seasonal flavor options include Apple Pie/Apple Pie+Bacon (Fall), Hazelnut-Coffee (Winter), Peach-Vanilla (Spring) and Lemon-Blueberry (Summer).

I think I’m most proud of the fact that while I am sharing my love of baking with others, we get to also support those in need through my gift. What sets us apart is our Mission – To create desserts that inspire positive change and encourage unity, while fostering an environment that promotes service to others.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I think I enjoy the diversity of our city here in Atlanta the most. There are so many opportunities to connect with so many different types of people and cultures, which is such a gift. One thing I didn’t initially realize is that food, music and art connect us in every way, which is what BLISScakedup is all about, connecting people over a great dessert!

We have so many communities here in Atlanta, but what I like the least is the reality that we are still dealing with and fighting against systemic racism in such a diverse city. Knowing this, I work hard to do my part in bridging gaps when possible and work to foster a safe place to have difficult conversations and connect people through empathy and to inspire growth and connection through community.

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