We were lucky to catch up with Marsha Gardner recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Marsha, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
When it comes to confidence, I try to remind myself that I’m still a baby learning when it comes to my craft. Although I’ve been baking since 2011 and I’ve been surround by it as a child because of my Mother. I continue to cheer myself on and tell myself “Marsha you got this!” When self-esteem comes into play for baking, it wasn’t always easy for me. I did well in other activities my life i.e. dancing, singing & drawing. I’ve perfected baking but I still lack on design & I can admit that. There will always be someone that’s better than me in my craft, but I don’t care! There will be that one person that will critique my work and may not like it but I don’t care! Sometimes I walk into a room & individuals maybe caught off guard because of my appearance but I try not to let that affect me. People will ALWAYS have their own opinion about you and I try not to let that get to me. Self-esteem starts with self! Me; Marsha! I’ve come so far with my craft and I’m happy for myself. If I look back from what I’ve accomplished thus far: I’m completed stoked and Blessed.
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 launched Marsha’s Sweet Cakes in 2011 as hobby with only $100.00 to my name in Marietta, GA. Then relocated my baking business to Los Angeles, CA late 2018. My mindset was always to think outside the box when it came to business. I didn’t want to be like everyone else. I had a RV pastry food truck including a rolled ice cream food truck/cupcakes truck. I specialize in custom cakes, wedding cakes, rolled ice cream catering, custom and gourmet cupcakes. free standing flower vase cupcakes bouquets. Full fledge dessert bars i.e. cheesecake bites, banana parfaits and much more; all make from starch! Thats what sets me apart from other bakeries or baker. Your truly experience the from start to finish because we want your return business. Our cakes and desserts are not processed which our clients love! Our cakes are exceptionally moist and taste delicious. Online ordering is available on our website. We provide wholesale cakes to restaurants. Our cakes are are also available at Exquisite Tapas in Menifee, CA, We also ship “Cakes In A Jar” nationwide. Our storefront was the 1s.t 3D bakery in the U.S, at the Del Amo Fashion Center Mall including the 1st, Cake Jar Vending Machine in the U.S.
Relocating to California from Marietta, GA in a short time, I’ve been thankful to make cakes for celebrities i.e. Ted Gibson, Pink, Draymond Green, Adam Sandler, Hughie Stone Fish and many more. Not to mention my locals! I love to see my clients smile and have them return to order future cakes from us. They’re reviews and feedback help me make improvements. I’m glad that I didn’t give up baking despite the hardships that I personally went through these last few years. Discouragement can easily lead to being stagnate and I’m glad I kept going with support from my close friends and family. However, during this time in my life, my primary focus is making more time for myself, my faith, family and friends.
I’m launching a service on “How to make money online” on Instagram @MeetMarshaGardner. This service will allow me to make $1k a day with only 2 hours of my time daily; from anywhere! This proven service will help me to free up more of my time for me to focus on the more important things. I know many people feel the same way I feel! Philippians 1:10, Baking is hard work! Especially when you make all your desserts from scratch, and I bake everything myself. Owning a business takes a lot of time! So, for 2024 moving forward; baking will be my hobby and I’ll choose what I want to do with my time going forward.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Having tunnel vision is good sometimes. People will always have an opinion on what you should and should not do especially when it comes to YOUR business and that’s okay. However, you don’t always need to implement. Constructive criticism is good, however; when individuals want to deflect their opinions that make you deviate from your journey, it can be destructive or cause a major detour, I don’t know how many times I’ve encountered. ” Well Marsha are you sure? Or I don’t think” Trust me, If I listened to every thought of everyone’s opinion Marsha’s Sweet Cakes wouldn’t be what It has come to be today. I’ve learned many things throughout my journey, Tip 1. Never live off of someone’s opinion. 2. Impossible is just an opinion; it’s not a fact! 3. Don’t give up! 4. Surround yourself with people that will support you; positive and like-minded. 5. Always give back and NEVER forget where you came from, even when times get tough! Acts 20:35 6. Prepare, plan and research. Make sure your credit is good standing and grants, grants, grants. Free money is everywhere 7. If you have to hire employees, keep it professional at all times and never get too comfortable. Trust needs to be earned period. 8. Listen to your inner voice. 9. A little progress is better than no progress 10. Don’t compare yourself to other people. 11. Don’t go into business with others if you don’t have to. It’s better to wait when you can do it alone. Always have leverage. 12. Don’t pay someone something you can do yourself; put the money elsewhere and do it yourself. 12. Lastly, KNOW YOUR WORTH!
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My Mother taught me never to give up and to always be strong and I appreciated her for raising all three of us. However, I learned later in life that it’s okay not to always be strong all the time. It’s okay to ask for help when needed. My Father once said to me on a car ride home when I was 17, that my looks will only get me so far. People may think that’s a harsh thing for a Father to say to his child, but he was right! I needed to hear that. Outside appearance will only get you so far in life. It’s who you are in the inside that counts including education. He always told me that I never finished things once I started things. Well Dad I did! If only you could hear and see me now! He would be so proud. Acts 24:15
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marshassweetcakes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1027315037/united-states/los-angeles-california/marshas-sweet-cakes/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marshassweetcakes/
- Yelp: https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=a96084ed09168c34JmltdHM9MTcwMjg1NzYwMCZpZ3VpZD0wNGY5OTRlNi02NTZmLTZmMWYtMWU0OC04NTUzNjQ4MTZlNDUmaW5zaWQ9NTIyMQ&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=04f994e6-656f-6f1f-1e48-855364816e45&psq=marshas+sweet+cakes+yelp+del+amo+mall&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueWVscC5jb20vYml6L21hcnNoYS1zLXN3ZWV0LWNha2VzLXRvcnJhbmNlLTI&ntb=1
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/meetmarshagardner?igshid=YzAwZjE1ZTI0Zg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr