Today we’d like to introduce you to LaToya Beal
Hi LaToya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always been a baker. My mother and grandmother were always great bakers that made the best cakes and pies. When my mother was small, my grandmother worked as a cook at the bus station in my hometown (Brenham, TX). My grandmothers baked goods were staples at the bus station. People came in just to enjoy her baked breads, coffee cake, pineapple cake, and chocolate cake. Everything was from scratch her own original recipes. I eventually started cake decorating as a hobby, but never made it a full business. I had the talent, but it did not bring me joy. One day I decided to give decorating cookies a shot. The first cookies that I decorated were beautiful with minimal effort. That is how I knew I had the talent. I made some for a few friends that encouraged me to turn it into a business. Last year my sister found out that she had Stage 4 cancer. During her illness she loved looking at the cookies that I made and she loved sharing other cookie pics with me for inspiration. She encouraged me to keep going and to make this a full business as well. My sister passed away this past August. Baking has helped me through my most difficult days. I enjoy making life sweeter through edible art.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road for me. I am not just a baker; I wear many hats. I am a full time educator, Doctoral student, and I own other businesses. During my sister’s cancer battle I questioned if this is even what I am supposed to be doing. There were many days that I had orders due and there would be some type of health scare or emergency. There were days that I would be so depressed that it was hard to even function. I thought maybe those were signs to stop. My mom and my sister would encourage me to get the orders out no matter what. They knew that building this business was important to me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I received my marketing degree and MBA from the beautiful Prairie View A&M University. I love my alma mater! After graduating from Prairie View A&M, I started working in sales within the telecommunications industry. I was a hard worker and was motivated to learn the business from top to bottom in order to advance in marketing. I eventually was promoted and wore several hats within the advertising and marketing research/analysis realm with national clients. I truly enjoy all things that are business related. I left that industry to become an educator. I wanted to teach business and to have more time to focus on my entrepreneurial endeavors. I am most proud of my former students. Seeing them apply concepts, start businesses, and keep up with trends to make decisions is a beautiful thing. My will to succeed sets me apart from others. I come from a hardworking, country family. That’s what we do, that’s all I’ve ever known. No matter what, I always know how to make money. Not everyone can do that. I use my talent and education to grow. I know that I am blessed and can literally do anything. I know that I have God’s favor over my life and I show up every day to be the best version of myself.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck. I’m truly blessed! Whatever I touch is anointed to grow. God is first in every business concept or decision that I have ever made. I work hard for everything that God has for me. The more that I push myself the more increase that I see. I asked God if I could do this and he has shown me increase and favor every month that I have been in business. If mistakes are made along the way, I learn from them and change my paradigm.
Contact Info:
- Email: itswildflourbakeshop@gmail.com
- Website: www.itswildflourbakeshop.com
- Instagram: @itswildflourbakeshop
- Facebook: @itswildflourbakeshop
