Meet Tyeshia Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyeshia Smith. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Hi Tyeshia, please Kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story?

As the owner of Lil Dipper Delights, I started my story in 2017. However, this has been my dream since the previous years; I have loved cooking dishes and creating art, but baking was not one of my favorite activities. Until 2016, hardships forced me to rethink this. As I sat down to write my business plans for the year, the idea of baking cookies came to mind. In the middle of the night, I rushed to the kitchen to make some ingredients. I’ve never made anything homemade before, but the idea was amazing. After testing a batch of Strawberry Lemonade cookies among my family members, I have received positive feedback every time samples have been issued. Several people offered to try them for free, and orders were immediately placed. Thanks to my creative mind, my love of art, and my positive personality, my business can reach new heights.

My business name Lil Dipper Delights was inspired by the shapes of my cookies. I came up with the “Lil” “Dipper” but my mother suggested “Delights”. This was a great addition to my name. Although the name was nice and the cookies were tasty, I felt that it still lacked that personal touch. As part of my design process, 150 plus cookie characters have been created for Lil Dipper Delights that reflect a wide variety of personalities, hobbies, moods, etc. To illustrate how different we are as people, I developed the Lil Dipper Delights Characters called “Cookie Creations”. If I could use my art to show the world how different we are, maybe we can discover how similar we are. Cookie creation is dedicated to telling the world our story. As a person who was bullied and overlooked, I wanted my brand to show more than just cookies. Drawing a cookie character allows my mind to be free and creative. The process of creating cookie recipes allows my mind to flesh out ideas that no one else has thought of yet.

From 2017 to now, I have sold many batches of Lil Dipper Delights cookies. I did not do any schooling for the skills I’ve developed over these years. I have taught myself and even managed to do work with the resources I have. In addition to marketing my business and coming up with all my ideas, I also manage to make my own mascots using old straps of material. As a Southern girl from Virginia and South Carolina, I could never have imagined my business would grow this far. I am so grateful to everyone who helped make my dream come true.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

You grow by challenging yourself. If you do not, then how can you learn to grow? I ask myself frequently why certain things transpire to me. But in reality, it is a challenge, and my response depends on how I deal with it. As a young person, I had to learn to deal with people who did not understand my vision of my dream. In essence, you cannot force your vision on others or try to convince them to share your vision. As a baker, I encounter many challenges such as packaging, baking time, social opportunities, and having a support system. Also, understanding the fundamentals of running a business and marketing are also challenges that I face. However, I have managed to overcome them all.

I have overcome many challenges through research and thinking. Despite my social anxiety, I try to express myself as much as possible while not overwhelming myself. Other challenges are related to a person’s strength. The stronger you are, the more risks you can take, and the more opportunities you will have.

In my experience, lessons in life include investing all you have, planning is vital to business development, and you will receive great support from people you don’t know. My first lesson was that marketing is harder than you think and that free things don’t mean that your business will succeed. Getting feedback seems simple, but customers don’t realize that it is crucial to customer service growth. Also, I learned to be flexible and prepared in any situation.

There’s no perfect way to do things. As long as you learn from it and do your best, everything is possible. Nothing happens overnight, it takes time and hard work. If you believe in it, then you’ll achieve it. Where I am today is a testament to that. After I got started, the customers became my motivation. Now I can say that the process has become much easier.

Thanks for sharing that, so, Maybe next you tell us a bit more about your work?

In our bakery, we make cookies. Our cookies are always soft, chewy, and fresh; with a light golden bottom. Our unique flavors are based on popular desserts; you won’t find these flavors anywhere else. We offer online ordering and local pickup. If you see us set up in a location, please stop by to say hello. Free samples are available when you visit a setup location.

Cookie doughs are made fresh daily, then frozen for up to 3 months. Each cookie flavor has a special recipe created by the owner. Customers can choose from a variety of popular flavors. Until this day, I still love the Blueberry Muffin because it’s a childhood treat I always enjoyed. Pancake bacon gives you the taste of breakfast on the go. Who doesn’t love pancakes & Bacon? The list goes on and on, not to mention Cinnamon Roll, Lemon Lemon, Cheesecake, Funnel cake, Honey Bun, and many others. It is such an exciting time in my life, I am working on so many different ideas, some of which will blow your mind. Keep an eye out, Lil Dipper Delights is going to surprise you. Often, I am shocked at what I have accomplished. Now it is time for me to share who I am and what Lil Dipper Delights is all about.

Lil Dipper Delights is proud to announce a partnership with Joy’cia Joyful Baskets. A business that specializes in gourmet gift baskets and boxed snacks. Now you can order not only cookies, but also gift baskets, fruit boxes, nuts, and treats. Oh, and don’t forget new characters and a new design launch coming soon.  Stay tuned for new flavors, new products, Merch, and Sugar-Free cookies. Also follow our Youtube channel, where the owner will share her favorite recipes.

Do you have any advice for those just starting?

Planning is the first step that any aspiring entrepreneur should take if they intend on starting a business. Planning is free and only takes a little time. Once you’ve mastered the planning part, start small and work your way up. You should expect to be successful in whatever you do because those who expect will work much harder than those who want. Take control of what you need and don’t let the little voice in your head continue to tell you negative things. I understand how draining it is to have negative inner thoughts. I know it’s not easy, but you got this!

In order to have success in life, you have to surround yourself with good people who expect success or are working on it actively. Learn from me, rather than taking advice from someone who doesn’t lead by example. Be cautious of who you share your dreams with, not everyone is worthy. You can’t trust anyone more than yourself. Just work hard at whatever you do, and it will work out in the end.

Takedown all ideas, not just those that seem valuable. They all will make sense one day. Conduct yourself and your business professionally, even if you don’t have it all figured out. Your brand represents you no matter what. We often see other businesses like ours and compare them, but don’t be discouraged. Business brands can be similar but the difference is your unique touch. Keep your head up, strive for your goals, and the possibilities are endless. Start today, it’ll be worth it.

Pricing:

• $10.38 Shake & Taste Sample Box
• $18.29 Mini Cookie Jar
• $23.29 Small Jar
• $30.79 Medium Jar
• $35.29 Large Cookie Jar

Contact Info:

• Email: lildippersdelights@gmail.com
• Website: www.lildipperdelights.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lildippersdelights/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lildipperdelights/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC3IpIPVUNzCvtb73NSXPx_g

Image Credits
Tyeshia Smith and Marcia Alford