We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful LaCretia Allen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with LaCretia below.
LaCretia, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Overcoming imposter syndrome has been a journey. When I first started my business, I struggled with self-doubt and underestimating my own qualifications and experience. I didn’t fully recognize or communicate all that I had to offer.
Participating in the Goldman Sachs cohort with Melissa Bradley was transformative. Speaking with my advisor helped me realize I was experiencing imposter syndrome. The program challenged me to reflect deeply on how I introduced myself and represented my background. I realized I was leaving out huge parts of my story.
Preparing my pitch for the cohort selection process was a turning point. Rehearsing and painting the full picture of who I am – as a pastry chef with decades of experience, a professor, a wife, mother and leader in my community – helped boost my confidence. Being selected among the top 8 pitches out of 150 applicants was validating.
God’s encouragement to “tell them who you are” really resonated. Now when introducing myself, I proudly share all aspects of my multidimensional experience and qualifications. Over time, embracing my complete story and accomplishments has helped shrink my inner critic. While self-doubt still creeps in, I now better recognize my worth and capabilities. The journey taught me to celebrate who I am in all my roles, and use my full identity to empower others facing similar challenges.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I want you to know who I am beyond just the owner and operator. I often tell people that I am a northern city girl grounded by her Southern roots, so I bake like a Southerner. Oftentimes, people are thrown off earlier on because I was young and was not heavy. I am a certified pastry chef through the prestigious American Culinary Federation, having trained extensively in my craft. I am also an Associate Professor in the Hospitality Department where I have been teaching the next generation of culinary talents for over 10 years now.
I am the CEO and Founder of Cretia Cakes. We have proudly been in business for over 20 years, specializing in bringing back the beloved southern baked goods and desserts that I hold so close to my roots. Last year we had the amazing honor of being featured on HSN, the Home Shopping Network, to share our creations with audiences nationwide.
Baking is my passion and has been since I was a little girl. I love everything about it – from experimenting in the kitchen to seeing the smiles on customers’ faces when they enjoy our treats. My goal is to continue growing the business and taking Cretia Cakes to even more people and businesses across the country.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Passion – Having a deep, unwavering passion for my craft and business is what drove me to continue pursuing my goals, even when self-doubt crept in. My lifelong love of baking and bringing Southern desserts to people is what helped me persevere.
2. Business savvy – Although baking is an art, running a successful business also requires strong business acumen. My accounting degree gave me important financial literacy that has surely helped the company thrive for over 20 years. Understanding the business side of things balanced my passion.
3. Mentorship – Seeking guidance from a trusted mentor, like my advisor who first identified your imposter syndrome, was paramount, my chef at school. You do not have to have one mentor, but several. Having someone objective to speak with, get feedback from without hurting feelings, and encourage me was clearly impactful in my journey of self-reflection and growth. Their support helped boost my confidence and shift my mindset.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
Instilling strength, perseverance and faith in difficult times. Both of my parents endured discrimination growing up in the South, yet still succeeded through hard work and determination. Sharing their experiences with me was profoundly important – it taught me at a young age that no matter the obstacles, you can overcome if you have faith and are willing to stand up for what’s right, even if alone.
Their emphasis on education also empowered me by providing opportunities they did not have. But more than that, the Bible scripture they shared – about understanding and enduring trials and knowing they don’t last – clearly had a deep and lasting effect. It instilled in me the courage and conviction to stay true to myself regardless of challenge or opposition.
Having parents who were willing to openly discuss the struggles they faced but also model perseverance through faith gave me a foundation of inner strength. That strength is clearly what has allowed me to pursue my dreams undeterred, and to stand up for others facing discrimination today. Their guidance was truly formative in shaping who I am – a passionate leader unwilling to be defined or deterred by hardship or doubt. Their example lives on through me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cretiacakes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cretiacakes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cretiacakesbakery
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacretia-allen-84a3a871/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cretiacakes
- Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/cretiacakesbakery
Image Credits
Faith Blackwell Caramel Obsession Cake with pink roses
