Today we’d like to introduce you to Donnakay Owusu-Agyei.
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?
I have always loved to bake. While working in the kitchen at Lakeland (Corewell Health) Hospital, I began making cakes and cupcakes for staff birthdays. A co-worker asked me to make an Xbox controller cake for her son’s birthday. When she showed me the picture, I told her I don’t work with fondant, which was required to make this cake. She told me she knew I could do it, so I charged her $20. When I began to carve the cake, frost, and finally cover with the fondant, I was shocked how good it looked. I posted the cake on Facebook and people began reaching out to place orders.
Fast forward to the past 5 years, I have grown in technique, flavor profiles, and talent. Decorating cakes is fun and I enjoy bringing life to people’s ideas for a cake to gift to someone. A lot of my business come from referrals and word of mouth. I was able to create a Kitchen Aid Blender cake for the release of the new Kitchen Aid Blender at Whirlpool.
Last year, I had architectural drawings created for an addition to my home for a licensed kitchen, Evolving Blessings Kitchen. Having this kitchen will allow me to expand my business and work with local restaurants, hotels, and more.
I have another business, UNITY Body Products, a natural skincare company. I started this business during COVID by making beard oil for a friend. It worked so well he suggested that I sell it. I decided to make body butter for myself and sold some of it to friends. Now, I have a website and participate in local vendor events so people can try my products and see how well it works.
A few of my skincare products (Moon Cream, Calendula Salve, Bald Balm) contain sun-infused Calendula Oil, which I make every summer. Calendula flowers have a lot of natural healing properties and help with scratches, cuts, burns, etc. Bonnies Foot Cream and Litsea Face Serum are two of my top sellers, and the Moon Cream provides relief with cracked fingers and other dry skin issues.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it has not. I work a full-time job and there is never more than 24 hours in a day. Learning to balance (if that exists) work, business, and life has been tough. But I enjoy everything I do, including my full-time job.
The learning curve, with both businesses, in regard to creativity. A lot of times, I have never created a certain cake design, cake flavor, or scent for a beard oil and have to learn on my own.
Not having a licensed kitchen to bake and create in prevents me from being able to accept some orders. A lot of venues where events are held require items to be from a licensed kitchen, which has caused me to have to turn down some orders.
A new challenge this year has been an increase business. Of course, this is great. But I have had to reach out to others for help with delivering orders for me. But this growth is very exciting.
Also, my current job is out of town, so I am not able to run out on my lunch break to deliver cakes during the week or earlier in the day.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I decorate custom cakes and cupcakes.
I specialize in taking people’s thoughts and ideas and turning it into the perfect custom cake.
I am known for cakes that a beautiful and delicious. I have a strong attention to detail.
I am most proud of my growth. I teach a course at the local Boys & Girls Club for baking and decorating; I get to make cakes and cupcakes for the men’s shelter every year for their annual Thanksgiving dinner; I was featured on the Focus page in my local newspaper; I continually learn new skills for decorating cakes and get to teach others.
My ability to take what others tell me about a person and what they love and create a cake beyond what they could have imagined.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My best advice would be to search for someone who will be honest with you. I recently hired a business coach, and I was nervous about meeting with her because I knew she would tell me things that deep inside, I know I should be doing. But most of all, her knowledge and straightforwardness are what I need to grow.
Someone told me a long time ago, that you need someone to mentor you and that you need to mentor someone else. We are meant to learn and to teach.
Having a consistent schedule. I am naturally a creature of habit, but this can also get in my way. I have to remain open to change because with change comes growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://unitybodyproducts.bigcartel.com/
- Instagram: dkscreations2020 AND unitybodyproducts
- Facebook: DK’s Creations Custom Cakes & Cupcakes AND UNITY Body Products
