Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Laney.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all started in the spring semester of my sophomore year when I came across a retro food trailer that I just could not stop thinking about. The trailer was named ‘Holy Crepe’ and at the time, I had full intentions to make crepes… until I realized that I had to be the worst crepe-maker EVER! After a few stressful giggles and some brainstorming, my momma came up with the name Donut Darlin’ and I instantly fell in love. As a little girl, I always pictured myself owning a company rather than working for one and thankfully, I had the privilege to learn and grow under my parents who have inspired me to go my own way.
My first official event was on Father’s Day of ‘17 at the College Station Police Department (LOL). Ever since then, we’ve been rollin’ around the Bryan/College Station area catering birthdays, weddings, business/school private events, sorority/fraternity parties, local festivals and growing into to surrounding cities. We focus primarily on providing the best customer service sprinkled, not only with a fun experience but THE BEST DONUT HOLES IN TOWN! Try us in Kyle Field’s North West 1st deck’s Blakes Chicken & Donuts with Donut Darlin’ concession and outside in the Fan Zone at Texas A&M football games, as well as, the Magnolia Silos with Chip & Joanna Gaines and many other local spots around the area.
Currently, I am a Texas A&M graduate with a Bachelor’s in Construction Science and long-time dreams of one day owning a custom home building company, but what’s the rush?! Donuts seem more fun anyway! 😉 I hope that my story can inspire young women entrepreneurs to take the risk and follow their dreams. If you have drive and passion, there is nothing stopping you from doing truly amazing things. I plan to use this construction degree of mine to build a mini donut drive-thru in College Station, Texas! Stay tuned and remember… You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy donuts and that’s kind of the same thing.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has never a smooth road, but I always tend to take the road less traveled. Being a student and starting a business was stressful and not always exciting. From changing my business plan from crepes to donuts because I was incapable of making them to the day before my first big event (20,000 attendees at Texas Reds Festival in Downtown Bryan, TX) when my fire suppression system blew up and flooded my $4,000 fryer – forever changing my donut making process from mini donuts to donut holes, the road has never been easy, but always rewarding in the long run. I am a firm believer in “everything happens for a reason” because it does. If I hadn’t run into these problems, my business wouldn’t be where it is today. Always push to find a way to make it work. Thats the entrepreneur way!
Donut Darlin’ – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
It’s all about the marketing. We strive to keep a “50’s diner/party” vibe. We play music and have the cutest and sweetest girls to run the trailer. I am so proud of the brand I’ve created because it’s not about the donut holes (even though they’re to die for). It’s about the experience and we have figured out how to grow a brand as opposed to just growing a business. I am proud of the events we have been able to attend from The Magnolia Silos, to concessions at Texas A&M Kyle Field, all the way to the F1 race at The Circuit of Americas in Austin, TX, not to mention the countless special days we’ve had the opportunity to be a part of, including weddings, birthdays, reunions and grand openings.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is not what you accomplish, but how you accomplish it. Many people find that when there is a hiccup in their business endeavorers, it is easier to just throw in the towel, but you CANNOT and a true entrepreneur WILL NOT give up. You find a way to make it work, and that is success.
Pricing:
- $6/serving (50 person minimum)
- $100 + travel to Houston area, depending on distance from College Station
Contact Info:
- Address: 3818 Estes Park, College Station, TX 77845
- Website: www.donutdarlin.com
- Phone: (830) 237-2446
- Email: donutdarlin@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram/donut_darlin
- Facebook: www.facebook/donutdarlin
Image Credit:
Sweet little Kinlee, her mother, Lindsay Caudle; Team photo, L to R, Bailey Gohlke, Taylor Laney, Valerie Torres, Colton Bendele, Bailey Chaffin, Curtis Muller
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