We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Melissa Johnston. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Melissa below.
Hi Melissa, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
Raised by a single mom, I learned early in life that it takes hard work and dedication to get you where you want to be. It’s not always going to be a smooth journey, but if you focus on your goals and work hard everyday to make a small step towards accomplishing them, then the sacrifices and struggles along the way are worth it.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m the owner of Mel’s Desserts, a bakery that was born from a deep love for baking and a passion for creating sweet moments for others. What started as a small home-based business has grown into a full storefront in Lakeland, Florida, where we now serve the community with a variety of homemade treats — from our best-selling brownie platters to custom wedding cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and more.
What’s most special about what I do is getting to be a part of people’s celebrations. Whether it’s a wedding, birthday, or just someone stopping in for a treat on a tough day, I love knowing that something I created is bringing joy to someone’s life. Everything we make is baked with love and I believe that care and intention comes through in every bite.
One of the most exciting things happening right now is that we recently opened our first storefront at 2080 E Edgewood Drive. It’s been a dream come true, and we’re so thankful for the incredible support from our customers and community.
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?
Looking back, three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, creativity, and connection.
Resilience was essential — starting and growing a bakery hasn’t always been easy. There are long hours, unpredictable days, and challenges that come out of nowhere. But staying committed to the “why” behind what I do — bringing joy to people through desserts — has helped me keep going, even on the hard days.
Creativity has also played a huge role, not just in designing cakes or coming up with new flavors, but in problem-solving and adapting. Running a bakery means wearing a lot of hats: baker, marketer, customer service rep, manager. Being open to new ideas and thinking outside the box has helped me grow and evolve the business in ways I never imagined.
Lastly, building genuine connection with customers, other small business owners, and the community has made all the difference. Word-of-mouth, loyal customers, and collaborations all stem from real relationships, and I truly believe people support businesses they feel connected to.
For anyone starting out:
Stay grounded in your purpose. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but remembering why you started will guide you.
Keep learning and asking questions. Don’t be afraid to seek advice, watch tutorials, or learn from your mistakes.
And finally, surround yourself with support. Whether it’s mentors, peers, or encouraging customers — community can carry you through when you’re figuring things out.
No journey is perfect, but it’s all part of the process. Just keep showing up and doing it with heart.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been learning how to manage and pace myself as a small business owner. Running a bakery by myself means wearing every hat — baker, cleaner, customer service, social media, deliveries — and it can be overwhelming at times. I’ve had to learn how to prioritize, set boundaries, and get more efficient with my time without compromising the quality that my customers expect.
One of the hardest lessons has been recognizing that I can’t do everything in one day — and that’s okay. I’ve worked hard to build better systems and prep schedules, plan ahead for busy weeks, and still allow time for creativity and rest. I’ve also become more comfortable saying “no” or setting limits when necessary, which has been a huge step in protecting my energy and the heart behind my business.
This past year has truly stretched me, but it’s also made me more confident in my ability to handle the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. It’s shown me that growth doesn’t always mean hiring a team — sometimes it means growing personally in strength, focus, and self-discipline.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.melsdnd.com
- Instagram: @mels_desserts_delights
- Facebook: /Melsdessertsanddelights
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