Meet Ci’era Spencer-Mattox | Attorney & Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ci’era Spencer-Mattox and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ci’era, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I actually started my business by accident as I never planned on opening my own bakery. In December of 2019 I made cookie tins for a couple of my friends and coworkers and they enjoyed them so much they paid me to bake some for their friends and family as Christmas presents. From there I received more and more orders until my family and friends convinced me it was time to turn my hobby into a business. It started with cookies and then someone asked if I could make them a cake, from there my business grew and I now offer a vast variety of desserts ranging from custom cookies, cakes, pies, brownies, and cinnamon rolls. Although I had no intentions of opening a bakery I’m glad that I took my family and friend’s advice and took the leap, it has truly filled me with joy to share my creativity and baking with the world.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
By trade I am a practicing attorney with a focus on employment law, family law and estate planning. Even from a young age I’ve always been interested in serving others in the community. I wanted to be a voice for those underserved communities when it comes to the legal system, which led me to my career in law. I attended Howard University upon graduating from high school and became really involved in the social justice initiatives that were taking place. Upon leaving Howard I attended Winston-Salem State University where my love of the law grew and I became President of the PolitIcal Science Honor Society. From there I attended law school and graduated with honors in 2015 and went on to pass the North Carolina State Bar. I’ve loved being an attorney but I’m also a very creative person and have always loved being in the kitchen.

In college my friends and I would have Sunday dinner where I would cook whatever groceries they supplied and we would laugh and play games.It was something I looked forward to every week, just a time to relax and do what I love to do. It was this love of feeding others and getting to express my creativity that makes my passion of baking really satisfying, it’s not just another job or hobby but something I truly love to do. Baking brings me joy and I’m so happy that I get to share my passion and creativity with the world. Starting my own bakery wasn’t an easy decision, all the steps you have to go through to become established aren’t the easiest but I was up for the challenge. I believe the hardest part was the doubt I had when I first started as I’m a self taught baker with no formal training. I’ll never forget my very first custom cake, I was so nervous my customer wouldn’t like it I redid the cake 3 times because I wanted it to be perfect. When she came to pick up the cake she loved it and saw the other cakes I made and told me I was crazy because the 1st cake was just as good as the one I gave her and I had nothing to worry about. From there I learned to stop doubting myself and my abilities and have only gotten better.

If there was anything I wanted the world to know about my brand it would be that everything that leaves out my door is truly made with love. I put my heart and soul into each and every treat I create.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting me the first thing we would do would be to go Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas and catch a movie while enjoying some drinks and fun or we’d have a picnic and watch an outdoor movie at Village Park. A couple of other things we would do would be visit Romare Bearden Park and depending on when she came to visit we would catch a baseball game at Truist Field. It was only the last couple of years that I went to my first baseball game but I have loved it ever since, it’s a really fun time and I think my best friend would love it. Of course while she’s here we would get in some shopping at Northlake Mall, Southpark and Birkdale Village. Another place we have to visit would be Frankie’s for drinks and games, to me Frankie’s is an upgraded Dave and Busters and it’s guaranteed fun for all ages.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my mother, Neta, as my business wouldn’t be where it is today without her. She is always there to lend a helping hand or to be a sounding board for my creative ideas.

Instagram: cecescookies19

Facebook: CeCe’s Cookies, Cakes & Confections

Other: email: cecescookies19@gmail.com