We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Le and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Michelle, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
Well, knowing whether to keep going or to give up is one of the toughest dilemmas anyone can face, and it’s a question that every entrepreneur and individual pursuing a goal encounters at some point. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer because the decision is highly dependent on the circumstances and individual goals.
For me, the key factors in making this decision involve a combination of self-reflection, feedback from trusted mentors or advisors, and a realistic assessment of the situation. It’s crazy to think that there were a few times I wanted to give up in the very beginning of starting my business because I thought that this wasn’t going to go anywhere or that I wasn’t going to get any customers because I doubted myself.
But I set clear goals and milestones for myself and my business. If I find that I’m consistently making progress and moving closer to these goals, it’s an encouraging sign to continue. I kept pushing and making sure that I was keeping up with the trend on social media since that is mostly where I attract my customers. Having passion and purpose in what I do is also a big factor to keep going.
What should our readers know about your business?
What sets us apart from others is that every cake and dessert we make from the kitchen is from scratch. Most of our customers don’t like overly sweet cakes so that’s one big attraction that distinguishes us as a cake business. What I’m most proud of is the genuine connection we’ve established with our customers. Many of them have become returning customers, and the joy they express when tasting our baked goods is what keeps us going.
Getting to where we are today hasn’t been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. One of the early challenges was establishing credibility and trust as a small business. Word-of-mouth recommendations and social media played a crucial role in building our reputation. Another challenge is managing so many orders at once since I’m currently the only one taking orders and executing them, but I’ve learned to overcome it by being organized. Having everything written out and planned is the key to make sure things go right.
As for the lessons learned, resilience and adaptability are key. The baking industry is highly competitive, and we’ve faced our fair share of setbacks, However, each challenge has taught us to be more flexible, innovative, and customer-centric.
What I want the world to know about Michelle’s Little Studio is that we are not just a baking business; we are a passionate in creating moments of happiness and indulgence through our cakes. We prioritize quality ingredients, attention to detail, and a commitment to creating memorable experiences for our customers. Our brand represents a piece of our hearts in every dessert, and we hope to bring a little sweetness into the lives of all who taste our creations. I hope to one day open a brick-and-mortar store to expand and grow my business.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Houston is a vibrant and diverse city with a lot to offer – new restaurants, bars, and fun places are consistently popping up so you’ll never get bored here!
Let’s start the day off with brunch at Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, their fruity pebble french toast is the best! After a great brunch, we can hit up one of Houston’s newest hotspots – The Post on Franklin Street. They have a beautiful view from their rooftop and lots of small restaurants inside as well.
Ending the night with a nice dinner at either Lombardi Cucina Italiana or Zanti Cucina for Italian, they have the best pasta!! Or we could hit up a sushi restaurant at Oishii, their sushi is affordable and so good! After that if you’re craving some desserts, why not have a piece of cake or sweet treat made by Michelle’s Little Studio (aka me!)
Houston has a great nightlife if you’re looking to get some good drinks and hang out with some friends. Midtown has so many hot bars with great music and drinks. There are many things to do when visiting Houston, just grab a group of friends and you’re sure to have a great time!
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?
Absolutely, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the incredible support and encouragement from several people and resources along my journey. First and foremost, I want to dedicate this shoutout to my parents and sister they have been my biggest cheerleader from day one. Their unwavering belief in me and my dreams has been my driving force.
I also owe a significant part of my success to my fiancé, who have been there through thick and thin, providing emotional support and being my sounding board for ideas. His positivity and belief in my abilities have been instrumental in keeping me motivated.
Last but not least, I want to express my gratitude to my loyal customers. Their trust in my products and their continued support have been the driving force behind my business’s growth.
Website: https://www.mycustombakes.com/michellelittlestudio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellelittlestudio/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellelittlestudio/