Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Melvin Leland Jr

Melvin Leland Jr shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Melvin, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
At the moment plants are my happy place. I have amassed a collection of about 150 plants that keep me on my toes when I get home. I enjoy the energy they bring to a space and the variety of colors and textures. I love to go to the plant rescue (plant store for everyone else) and see if any babies need a new home.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
⸻

Hi! I’m Melvin, the owner and baker behind Grins and Giggles Cookie Co, a small-batch bakery based in Springfield, Georgia. I’ve been in the baking industry for over a decade, and what started as a passion project in my home kitchen has grown into an award-winning bakery known for its beautifully balanced flavors, creativity, and attention to detail. At Grins and Giggles, we specialize in handcrafted cookies, cakes, and desserts that bring joy to every occasion — whether it’s a wedding, celebration, or a simple sweet craving.

What makes us special is our heart. Every treat we make is rooted in the belief that desserts should not only look stunning but taste unforgettable. I taught myself how to bake after learning to cook from my mom, and that blend of love, tradition, and innovation continues to inspire everything we do. Right now, we’re excited to be expanding into our new commercial space in downtown Springfield, offering even more ways to share smiles (and sugar) with our community.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My life was forever changed when I met my partner. He sees something in me that I don’t necessarily see in myself at times. He always knew that I would be where I am at this point in time in business. He pushed and supported and has treated me like the person. I deserve to be treated like. I don’t stress as much as I used to because I know I have someone that has my back and that has shape shaped how I see the world and how I value people. Without him, I would not have been able to push through some very difficult times with difficult people and let go of some of the things that we’re not good for me.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I feel like the fear that has held me back most is a dual fear, one of failure and success. There’s always been a question of if I take on a business and quit my job what will happen. The fear of not having enough money to take care of things, and the stress that comes along with that. There is also the fear of success and not knowing if I would be able to handle it. Being afraid of stepping out and actually making it happen and not knowing what to do past that was a huge roadblock. Now I let the fear of success and failure sit on the sideline and I try to tackle each circumstance as it comes as best I can.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that what people think of me matters the most. That I constantly worry about how someone is going to perceive me and how I move in the world. That I try really hard to please everyone in spite of myself. That sometimes I will put myself at a disadvantage to make sure that everyone else is OK. And they would probably say that because that matters so much to me it’s hard for me to figure out what matters to myself most.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope they will say that I was a good person. That I mattered to them in someway or made an impact on their life in a positive way. Growing up people didn’t treat me so well and it gave me a very negative perception of myself. I always felt like I was doing something wrong and that I had to apologize for being me. I would hope that people would say that I found myself later in life, and that I conquered the challenges that were placed in front of me. I would hope that overall people would say that I lived life to the fullest, I embraced who I was, and I followed my dreams and realized a goal that a lot of people don’t get to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Gngcookies.com
• Other: https://linktr.ee/grinsandgigglescookieco

Image Credits
Jay Hill
Melvin Leland Jr
Osmo Photography
Sal Andrade