Meet Timisha Jefferson | Pastry Chef & Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Timisha Jefferson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Timisha, what do you attribute your success to?
My Drive is the most important factor of my bakery. I am a go-getter and never give up no matter how many times I fail or just wanna give up because business is slow or I do not feel like I am doing anything right or enough promoting.

One thing about me is even if I know I could fail or I might not be able to make this deal with this person I never quit on myself. I was raised to chase your dreams and claim what you want out of life, never second guess yourself & the only person who can stop your shine is you. My drive sets me apart from the rest, Why? I do not sit back and wait for orders to come to me. I reach out to them with a professional message and I attend to my customers’ dessert needs and how they want their pastries. When I have to sometimes pull all-nighter baking till 3am I’m back up at 6 or 7 am frosting and decorating, Any large parties, wedding or any big events I plan ahead of time and space my work out so nothing is rushed and everything comes out to my expectations, because I hold myself to a high standard I do not deliver anything less. Yes sometimes things get hard, confusing and sometimes I feel like I do not have any motivation but I remind myself with the help of my amazing mentors that I am a baker and a strong business young woman. The success of my brand is my ability to keep going even when it gets hard or I don’t feel like doing anything. What keeps me going is my mom and family support, confidence in myself, the want and needs of being successful and God giving strength. Nothing is ever going to be a cake walk but when I see how far I’ve come it’s all worth it to me.

“Success is failure turned inside out” and  “Can’t nobody stop your shine but you” are two quotes that I live by everyday. Going through ups and downs that I’ve had from starting up and taking my business seriously during the pandemic, there was a lot of red tape and self-doubt about will I be able to handle the pressure, will people book/shop with me, am I ready for everything that is going to come with being a young business women. All of these questions were in my head when It came to starting my bakery, but I took a leap of faith and with the help and support of my mom, family and friends I grew more and more from the very beginning to becoming one of the top bakers in the MKE.

When I look back at my very first cake, cupcakes etc I really be like wow I’ve come a long way because my drive is so strong and my determination is unmatched. I would definitely say my Drive and Determination is the most important factor behind the success of Luki’s Pastry Shop.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Being as professional as I am today was a long road and was not easy by any means necessary. I got to where I am professionally with the help of my mother and grandmother who taught me how to talk to customers and potential buyers to make that sale or close that deal with another partner. I overcame those challenges by running back and forth to my mom asking should I say this, should I say that and she would tell me if it dont sound professional and if it doesn’t  she is quick to correct me if something did not sound professional. My biggest lesson that I’ve learned is that you are going to run into some difficult customers who are having a bad day or just not in the mood to do nothing.

When I come across those customers I try extra hard to make their pastries with more love and give them a customer experience that will put a smile on their face. I believe that a dessert that I made with love and passion can change someone’s mood if they’re having a bad day. I want everyone to know that I am very passionate about my desserts because they match my personality, Fun, Bubbly, Creative and Cultured. Another thing about myself is when you book me for your events I NEVER disappoint. When contacting me you will feel great and professional vibes because I always want to make sure that my customers are satisfied with every aspect of their experience, from the booking to the final presentation. I am a happy and cheerful person who is constantly on the go to make everyday better than the last. I put my all into everything I do because I hold myself to a certain standard, to me taste, presentation, creativity and customer experience is everything to me. Most importantly I am an independent young woman making my way in the world, going after what she wants for her future and I won’t stop until I get to where I wanna be in life. My First Stepping stone will be attending Hampton University in the fall. I am still applying for scholarships and grants for my education and possibly sponsorship but as I’ve been told “the grind don’t stop”

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.
In the MKE some of the places to have fun are Bradford Beach, Milwaukee Public Zoo, All The Museums, Botanical Gardens and Discovery World. My favorite place to go is McKinley Park because it’s a beautiful walk and it’s right by the water. It is also one of my places of peace, where I go to think, scream and have a great time with my friends during the spring and summer. The museums are awesome. My favorite is the Milwaukee Public Museum mostly because of the butterfly exhibit and the rich history that the museum has as a childhood pillar. Best places to eat Bonatans (Mexican) Onesto (Italian) Sweet Diner (American) these are specifically my favorite places. Living in MKE there is a lot to do the more you travel through Milwaukee County you’ll find some pretty amazing places that you are going to want to check out because in Milwaukee there is more to my city then meets the eyes.

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 DEFINITELY want to give a shout-out to my mother Kisha O’bee. She is my rock, number one supporter, my everything wrapped in one. When I am about to lose my head because I feel overwhelmed or I feel like I’m not good enough or that everything is just going to go wrong she pulls me back in and gives me nothing but motivation , love and assistants. My mom has had my back since the day I told her I wanted to open an online bakery and I can WHOLE-HEARTEDLY say I wouldn’t be here without my mom. She has done so much for me and still continues to do so I love her so much and am so so blessed to have her as my mom because I know that she is always on my side and will always be there to help me and keep me on the right path. I love you mom more than you know.

Thank you for staying with me through thick and thin even in my worst moments and definitely for my best and most proudest moments. I am eternally grateful for you.

Also my brother and all my family because they are constantly pushing me to do better and when I wanna give up they push me to keep going. My Family is Definitely my biggest support system. Another group who helped me become who I am is a youth mentoring organization named BIIS (Brother To Sister). This organization changed my life for the better, giving me lessons and poems that I will keep with me for the rest of my life, showing me that I can be a better version of myself and mostly to “Dare To Be Different” & “Be A Leader” all love to my family BIIS and my line Alpha Kappa. Everyone who has helped me grow into the young women I am today Thank You.

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