Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela A Dobbins
Hi Pamela A, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
By way of introduction, I am Pamela A. Dobbins, Owner and CBO (Chief Baking Officer) of Delightful Cookies& Treats, LLC. I started my business back in 2017 as a cottage food home bakery while still teaching as a full-time college professor. I am a scientist and creative at heart and I love combining those two to see what the outcome will be. While still holding down my full-time teaching career, I would bake on the weekends and sell my goods at a local flea market. This started in August of 2017. I quickly realized I needed to be in an environment where more foot traffic existed. In January of 2018 I transitioned from the “flea market” to a local farmer’s market. I struck gold on every level– more foot traffic, creating loyal customers, meeting new friends, and forming community ties.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As we know, life is not a smooth nor straight path! My analogy for struggles in life would be the pattern of an EKG reading: there will always be hills, mountains, valleys and straight paths. My business, Delightful Cookies & Treats, LLC, was started back in 2017. It was originally named Delightful Treats and operated as a cottage food licensed home-based bakery. During the pandemic, I was able to transition from my home into a brick and mortar building with the assistance of a grant and some seed money from my savings. The year was 2020….(haha!) This was the year that tried everyone’s patience, sanity, fortitude, strength, and most of all faith! I was in deep, plotting my next move concerning my business. I had already visualized what it would look like, how I would operate, what I would bake and a million other details!! I was super excited and very nervous at the time. However, in spite of all of the challenges, I stood firm and marched forward with my faith to tackle whatever obstacles that lie ahead. After making some major renovations in my new space I moved in as a single member sole-proprietor with a name change – Delightful Treats Cookes. During that time I was focused on only making cookies and selling them through 4 techniques- retail, wholesale, vending and online. As I started on my journey in January 2021, I was ready to take on the cookie world! I was doing everything– I was building the plane and flying it at the same time!! Every cookie was being made by hand and I was exhausted, but determined to make this operation work!! This went on up through May 2022. While I’m grinding it out at the cookie shop I had a dream in October 2021 about a cookie machine—- AUTOMATION!!! I quickly inquired about the cost of the cookie machine and received funding by December 2021. While securing the funding for the cookie machine I underwent a few more changes—- my business structure changed from a sole proprietor to an LLC and another name change to what we know today as Delightful Cookies & Treats, LLC. After a few more months of hand making cookies, my cookie machine arrived on May 31, 2022— oh happy day!!!! Since integrating automation into my business, I have seen a significant increase in every area of my business!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
If you haven’t already figured it out, I love baking!!! And as previously mentioned, my main focus was on manufacturing and selling cookies. As time progressed I added more items to my list and began to branch out with the treats. I added cheesecakes, cakes, pies, puddings and dessert cups to the line up! Not only did I expand my offerings, I also hired a helper! She is my right hand and my left (lol)! I can sleep at night knowing that the job will be done in my absence!
Just to give the readers a sample of what we offer at Delightful Cookies & Treats, LLC, some of our menu offerings include:
Cookie flavors – Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter and Tea Cakes; Dessert Cup Flavors – Tea Cake Banana Pudding, Peanut Butter & Chocolate, Tea-n-Key (Key Lime flavor), and Strawberry Whirl.. The majority of my offerings can be purchased at my shop, or at the local farmer’s market, but as I mentioned earlier, the cookies are the foundation of my business and can be purchased from my website.
My proudest moment so far in my business is winning The 2024 Community Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition! There were thirteen businesses competing for the top prize of $10,000. Delightful Cookies & Treats, LLC won the top prize!!!!! We were super excited and so very proud of ourselves. This win was the spark to start off 2024 with a bang!
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I would like to encourage all of the readers to keep pushing through any obstacles, challenges, and any other opposition that you may face in your life. Just know that everyone is born with a purpose they are destined to fulfill. No matter how many times you get distracted, try your best to get back on track to fulfill your destiny. Don’t let age, life situations, or anyone get you so distracted that you miss or forfeit your life assignment. You will know that you are on the right path when you get that feeling of inner satisfaction.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://delightful-treats-cookies.square.site
- Instagram: @cbo_dct
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/cbodelightfultreats
- Twitter: N/A
- Youtube: N/A
- Yelp: N/A
- Soundcloud: N/A
- Other: N/A
Image Credits
All pictures were taken by Pamela A. Dobbins, Owner and Chief Baking Officer (CBO) of Delightful Cookies & Treats, LLC.
