Buttercream & Roses

As a biracial child growing up in Los Angeles
in the 60's, my mother always told me that
I had to work harder, talk louder and be
resilient to comments people would make about
me as a child and in the future as an adult.
She told me that I had to work harder than others
because there would always be people trying to
put me down. She said if I always did better than
what was expected of me, then I would always win.

She was right.

My mother was black from Alabama and my
father Cajun from Louisiana.
In 1954 when they decided to get married, they had
to believe that love would conquer all.

My mother was the most positive person I have
ever known. And believe me she overcame
more obstacles than I have. She knew that these
were qualities that she had to teach my sister
and I to be successful in life.

I am so thankful to have learned
this early on because my mother passed away
when I was 22, my father at 30
and most recently my sister at 45. Bitter yes,
but I always carried the positivity of my mother
and made it sweet.

I could have easily have
turned down the wrong road or worse
but instead of just walking out on life,
I decided to make better decisions,
grow up fast, and be responsible
for my actions. I worked longer and harder
to make life sweeter.

My husband Griff grew up with parents
who were alcoholics and although he has a
quiet spirit, he learned young that his spirit
would not be led in the wrong direction.
He always tells me that in his inner spirit he knew
what was right. He worked hard for a better life.

Baking is our common thread that gave us courage
to make a better life for ourselves.
We quickly realized how hard it would be to bake
it all from scratch and make that commitment
for quality over the easy road of quantity.
To find the right people who would want
to have the same goals we do, to push themselves
to learn what we have learned.

I always see the best in the employees we hire
and for some the heat in the kitchen just gets
to be too hot. I will say it's not easy because
you have to have the drive to bake it right.
I definitely push people to be the best they
can be. I see qualities that they don't see in
themselves. It is sad to see when they can't
seem to push themselves, follow through,
or get it right.

After years of owning a business you start
to see patterns in people.

Some start off great, continue to be great
and after a time move on to better opportunities
or start their new careers.
The 80% crowd.

Then there are some not so great,
some are lazy, some have addictions, some are just
working a job...they fizzle out and quit.
These are the ones that can run a business
into the ground, the ones with the attitudes,
the know'it all and the rebels.
The 20% crowd.

It's human nature I guess we are all on
a different path. As a business owner
it's all part of the job to organize it all
and make it work. We don't claim to know it
all, but our accomplishments speak for themselves.

I do not know a successful chef or business
owner who settles for mediocrity, you don't last
if it's not good.

There is always an opportunity here, we always have
had an open policy of learning what we do.
I always tell new hires when they start that they
have two choices.They can do the same
thing over and over day after day or
they can work hard, grow and move forward.
It's always so rewarding for those who do learn
and grow. They are so proud and beam with
excitement because they know they are putting
out a great product.

Life has taught me many lessons, but even now
I push myself to the limit because of the work
ethic that was instilled in me as a child.
I love what I do and am proud of what Griff and I
have accomplished from absolutely nothing.
I do mean nothing.

I enjoy knowing that I put a consistent product
out everyday. Working at the bakery is hard
work and you definitely have to have your
wits about you when you are preparing food
for others. It is the responsibility of doing
things the best they can be that has gained
us continuous local & national recognition.

It is a good feeling to see that we have
a great crew now and it's all coming together
again. Products are consistent without me having
to re-do them over and over again.
No more micro-managing on my part.

Like minded confident individuals working
towards a common goal. Everyone is smiling,
a nice productive work environment.
It makes me very VERY happy.