We were lucky to catch up with Dianna Brown recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dianna , we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
Ve Hawthorne, a southern church woman, born 4th to her parents. She was shy but yet spunky, quite but yet feisty! She married the love of her life whom was Military and moved 3000 miles away from her country home to live in the big city and she never complained.
She found a church home, and worked. She was on committees she helped with youth, young adults, adults and seniors.
Every single time you saw her she smiled, asked, “How you doing” and asked if you need something or if you were hungry.
My matriarch of my family! She lived til 96yrs old. I never once saw her not being generous to anyone…this is where this trait was etched in my soul. She told me.. you never know what someones story is.. and i believe that.. but in the same sentence she would say… But don’t be no fool and let folks use you! 😂
Note taken, Mama.
I miss her so..
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
We are a Family Bakery Business that began doing Pop ups and Events in 2019. Occassionally we can be seen around town serving from Cupcake the Trailer. We specialize in desserts not seen in a traditional bakery. For instance, we have wowwed customers with our Deep Fried Peach Cobbler eggrolls and Wontons, Banaless Puddin, and our grandmothers favorite Lemon Jello Cake. We currently are open 3 days a week in the college area and do markets and private events!
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?
1. Patience Having patience will help you in this journey. The say, small businesses fail within the 1st 5 years. Its easy to give up so.. patience I feel has helped me.
2. “Trust the Process”
I have said this to myself almost every day in this journey! When things look like they are not coming together, whether its canceled order, low sales, or canceled events…because they all happen and no matter what…it makes a business owner feel some type of way. Just remember to Trust the Process!
3. Eager to Learn.
I am still learning. Whether its a recipe, technique or a new item. I’m open to all of it. I am influenced by both the old and the new. My children have me performing the viral tiktok ideas right along with my grandmother and mothers recipes. We like mixing it up! Don’t be afraid to venture out of the box!
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My Mother, affectionately known as “Fannie” worked her tail off. This amazing woman worked Hard! I never saw her miss a beat, whether if she didn’t fee like going or not, she went to work. It was about her, it was about serving and feeding the children. My mother was the cafeteria lady., then the Area Manager, and after almost 30 years, she was upgraded to the Area Supervisors for the San Diego Unified District Schools, Food Service. My mothers work ethic showed me if you hung in there, you could move up the ladder. I wasn’t really taught to own my business, but I was taught Hard work pays off.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.sweettreatsbythick.com
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/sweettreatsbythick
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/sweettreatsbythick
- Other: Etsy https://www.etsy.com/listing/1402849236/german-chocolate-cake-0
Image Credits
Ivarie Giles Dazani Giles
