Today we’d like to introduce you to Daphnne Laurent.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As a little girl, I always found interest in the kitchen setting. Whether it was cooking or baking, I wanted to be present! My interest in baking was greater than cooking; I loved both and still do! I was as young as 7 years old when I remember being infatuated with making birthday cakes for family members out of boxed cake and canned frosting. From then, I started to bring sweets to school, gradually worked on my presentation to bring them for my friends’ birthdays, and eventually started to sell my treats by the time I was a sophomore in high school.
When the pandemic first struck in 2020, I was a college student who wasn’t that interested in college but had a passion for learning. I’d already had the idea of continuing a business out of something I knew how to do best. During the lockdown, I had a lot of time on my hands, so I figured I’d use them to create! I made my first cake in my kitchen out of curiosity and gradually enhanced my skills since then!
I relocated to Houston from Linden, New Jersey in March of 2023. I am now able to help beginner bakers around the US on their journeys to becoming a skilled cake artists, as well as provide customized cakes for special events here in Houston!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
At the start of my business, I found that not having a mentor or friend to relate my concerns to was a big struggle. I didn’t know of anyone who was in the same field as me, nor did I know who to ask to point me in the direction of legal advice or classes! TikTok wasn’t very popularly used as a search engine back then, and I found that YouTube videos didn’t help much because of my learning style. I had to do a lot of the research on my own, which in turn helped me out a lot in the long run. I do feel proud of my progress, but I do believe that having the resources would have helped me avoid multiple forks in the road as I learned. I am grateful for every part of it though!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Throughout high school, I was known for selling cupcakes. Those who didn’t know me by name would reference me as “The Cupcake Girl,” which is a name I hold close to me hence my slogan, “It Started With a Cupcake!” As a cake artist, I specialize in custom cakes, cupcakes and confections for events including but not limited to birthdays, weddings and baby showers. Each order is created with love and precision, customized to fit each of my cakestomers’ themes and personalities.
I also offer in-person and virtual 1-on-1 cake classes for beginner cake artists. Each class is carefully structured to build skills in cake decorating, and personalized for each student depending on what they’d want to enhance the most.
In addition to my classes, I offer mentorship for beginner bakers. It’s been my pleasure to assist anyone who may need advice regarding creativity, self encouragement, or starting their business! In my time spent in the industry, I noticed that people have been accustomed to not asking for help which may make them feel discouraged and unseen. Being that I am familiar with those emotions, I’m here to step in and affirm that no one’s ever the only one! I look forward to building a community which engages members to tap into their creativity, get acquainted with one another, affirm themselves and encourage others along the way. I am excited to build this networking scene and not only teach, but learn from others!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff by Richard Carlson
To My Sisters Podcast
Be Here by Tenzin Gyasto, the 14th Dalai Lama
Contact Info:
- Website: www.delightsdlaurent.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delightsdlaurent/?utm_medium=copy_link
- Other: https://linktr.ee/delightsdlaurent?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=b88990cc-0785-49e3-adb4-b1f9c7aba326
