We were lucky to catch up with Diaundrea Sherill recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Diaundrea with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I personally believe that your character and integrity shape your work ethic, along with experience.
When I was younger, my grandmother had a candy store at her home in South Miami (Florida). I was the cashier. It was my job to count all of the items we had to sell (Inventory), budget for what was needed and review all end of day sales. This was definitely humble beginnings for me. I found joy in doing the task my grandmother assigned me, and every weekend I was happy to head to my grandma’s house, because I was ready to sell and collect money!
I have worked in the Hospitality Industry for over 15 years. My experience ranges from working with staffing agencies, as a cook in fast-food and fine-dining restaurants, the SOBE Wine & Food Festival (Culinary Lead/Logistics Lead), Walt Disney World (Culinary Associate); Guest Service/Concierge Service (Independent Hotels) etc. While there are many pros and cons with working in the industry, having a strong work ethic helps to ensure your longevity, surviving in the industry and overall, your character development.
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?
Well, I love to help people and lately I’ve been intentional about helping others. Through small acts of kindness, whether that’s giving a case of water to local trolly drivers on a very hot day, donating food/toiletries to a student pantry or by helping to feed the homeless/houseless and also provide them with clothing.
These small acts of kindness are natural for me to do without thought. My natural acts of kindness will eventually become and sustain my nonprofit “Leave it to DeDe”. This will be the nonprofit portion of my current company “The Delicious DeDe Company”. I plan to have it officially registered by the end of the year (2023).
In the meantime, I still have my plant-based home bakery. I’m perfecting recipes and adding more items to the menu. My goal is to become a 100% Scratch kitchen (all items made in-house). While most of our items are baked fresh, the items we currently don’t make in house are chocolate for coating, oreo cookies, plant based whipped cream and plant-based butters. These recipes are being perfected, I plan to have them in effect for the upcoming holiday season.
The Delicious DeDe Company consists of: The Plant-based Bakery, Dinner W/Diaundrea (Food & Wine Tastings), Leave It DeDe (Nonprofit), & The Ladies Love Collection (Faith-based Women’s Adult Novelty Collection).
Stay tuned for all things Delicious!
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?
Being organized, managing my time and setting clear goals attributed to my Professional Development and Continued Success.
Advice for others who are now starting…
Educate yourself. Whether that means enrolling (and actively attending) College/University or working for someone in the field/industry you desire to grow in, you must educate yourself.
When I graduated from high school, I jumped right into the Hospitality Industry by studying Culinary Arts at Le Cordon Bleu then I completed an externship at Walt Disney World. Afterwards I went on to attend and graduate from Miami Dade College and Florida International University. While I was enrolled in School I was working for numerous restaurants or hotels to keep develop my skills.
Don’t give up on your journey, don’t take advice from negative people. Negative people have a problem for every solution. Whatever it is that you are desiring to do, start. Start with research and be clear on what you want to do. If you’re not sure or don’t know what you want to do. Start working on transferable skills. Skills that are adaptable to any industry. Such as inventory organizing. Network with industry professionals. Develop strong relationships not for the sake of business. Lastly, follow those who are leaders of Integrity.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal clients for “The Bakery” and “Dinner w/Diaundrea” are both individuals and businesses who host events that cater to Vegans and Non-Vegans. Someone who is looking for Vegan/Plant-based Desserts for events because they want to be able to offer their guest more plant-based options with exceptional flavors that prove to satisfy their taste buds. The client also sees me as expert and values my experience and time.
“Leave it DeDe”: I desire to serve Students who are enrolled in College/University; Families and Individuals who are Houseless/Homeless. My desire is to be in a position to consistently donate to Student Pantries, assist with giving Food, Clothing and provide grants for shelter.
My ideal clients for the “Ladies Love Collection” are Faith-based Women and Men who are Single, Engaged or Married. Ideally the Ladies Love Collection was made for the Faith-Based Woman that loves God, her Husband and what he brings to table.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TheDeliciousDeDeCompany.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deliciousdedeco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeliciousDeDeCo/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diaundrea
- Other: https://linktr.ee/DeliciousDeDeCo
Image Credits
Personal Photos
