Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Diggs.
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?
It all started with me cooking for my family for family gatherings. After the passing of my grandmother for years I felt it was my job to keep the family together so I would prepare these huge meals with all kinds of side dishes and several desserts all by myself. One of my family members suggested that I should sale my desserts and food. I put it out there and people started buying it and that is how it all started.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not a smooth road at all. I had to learn the hard way at the start of it by taking some loses. People will place orders and you will prepare it and then they decide they no longer want the dessert or dish. So, that is a profit loss for you because you have prepared this dessert or dish with no deposit or anything. I have since changed that policy. In order to place a order you must pay me 50% deposit, pre-pray or sometimes pay in full before I will even start the order.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I cook or bake anything. I am always up for a challenge. I would say that my key lime cake, banana pudding and seafood pasta salad is one of my best sellers. People love it! I have been in my current career for 29 years. I make it work with my catering and baking business. I am proud of my self for being a full time employee and running a full time business. The other thing that I am most proud of is the fact that I was a teen mom straight out of high school looking for a job and found a career that has allowed me to provide for my two children over the years and now start a business that I love. However the most important thing in my life I am proud of is my two kids. My daughter Mariah has her DNP and my son Devin who recently graduated high school is currently on scholarship at the University of North Florida for Baseball. I feel like what sets me apart from other is that I cook with love. No matter what or who I am cooking for I am cooking it with a heart full of greatfullness and love. I don’t get tired of being in the kitchen because cooking is one of my love languages.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I took a risk when I went out and took one of my pay checks and bought a bunch of items that I felt I needed like Wilton cake pans, frosting spatulas, cake boxes and boards in bulk and different items that I felt I needed to invest in to get my business off the ground, That risk set me back for a little and it was a good thing that I have a great loving supporting family who was there to assist me when I needed help. I have two sisters Nyreka and Jackie who have been my back bone since I birthed this dream.
I can remember sitting at one of my nieces softball games and soneone had contacted me aboout catering an event. In my mind I had an idea of what I wanted us to wear. I said I need these aprons and one of my sisters said how much I will get them.
I have stepped out of my comfort zone and took risk, but each and everytime my faith in God has proven the risk was worth it,
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Mimi’s Cakes and Catering Fl, LLC
