We were lucky to catch up with Kelley Finley-Urbania recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kelley, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I remember when I first started designing cookies and cakes and thinking I was pretty good, then looking at others’ social media and feeling pretty defeated. I told myself a year from now you are going to be so much better. I kept repeating that to myself, but I also invested in learning through classes and continuing education. I researched the tools bakers used to achieve better results, traveled to conventions, and watched videos. Along the way I had to remind myself that everyone has a beginning, and your journey is not defined by the first step, but by how far you have come. I had to change my mindset at times when progress felt slow, or my best ideas and intentions didn’t always go smoothly. Each failure was an opportunity to learn and improve. I had to accept making mistakes is a lesson learned. When I felt disappointed by my perceived shortcomings, I was fortunate to have the wonderful support of my husband, son, and daughter to boost my confidence, compliment me, and point out how far I have come. There will always be someone with natural talent, or an ability to master skills more quickly than myself. I appreciate the talents of artists and bakers who share their skills online. In return, I show gratitude and offer words of encouragement when I see others developing their skill set. I know how hard we can be on ourselves. My business is focused on celebrating all the special moments in life with custom cakes and cookies. Whether it be a flawlessly flooded cookie, a perfectly piped buttercream rose, or a large order for an event, I celebrate my successes and wins.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My passion for baking and designing was born out of my love of theme parties and entertaining. I enjoy hearing about parties and weddings and how people make it personal. I love how the invite sets the tone, and the menu, decorations, and details pull the celebration together. Custom cookies and cakes add to the magic of the event. As a custom bakery, we utilize our commercial kitchen to create unique and delicious cookies and cakes for corporate and special events. We believe that there is so much to celebrate in life and want to be a part of that core memory.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I believe it is important to be passionate about what you are offering as a small business owner. Do what you love, be customer-focused, and have a strong vision.
You have to find your niche and what separates you from other businesses. We deliver and offer set-up at venues because when hosting an event, you are already busy enough and we want to make the day less stressful.
Our referrals and repeat clients are the best source of marketing. Each reservation is given the utmost attention to perfection and detail. Growing your business through social media and Google helps to reach potential customers.
I think about product trends and ask myself if it is something that I truly want to venture into, sometimes it is important to focus on select products and do it really well.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
Having a strong skill or talent is the foundation for success. However, knowing areas of opportunity and then taking the steps to learn or improve is important for the long term. I didn’t have any social media presence prior to starting my business. It was an area that I had little interest in, and still do not. I know the value of social media in building an audience and client base, so I have taken additional steps to learn more about leveraging it in business. Joining groups on social media has been very impactful for me. Seeing others who are like-minded and sharing experiences has been invaluable. It can be an outlet to celebrate your wins, gain insight or reenergize your creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: monarchcookiesandcake.com
- Instagram: monarchcookiesandcakes
- Facebook: Monarch Cookies And Cakes
- Other: TikTok: monarchcookiesandcakes
