Today we’d like to introduce you to Marva Sutton.
Hi Marva, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was born in British Guyana, South America, and from the age of 11 months, grew up in London, England. I landed in Los Angeles nearly thirty years ago, working with young people internationally. Cooking and baking as a career were the furthest things from my mind!
The oldest of four, my mom had us all in the kitchen cooking alongside her and I’m so grateful for her teaching and training. My love of cooking grew in high school – along with baking, which is something I also share with my beautiful sisters.
Leaving my work with youth, I ventured into the corporate world working as an Executive Assistant or Recruiter, which is something I never saw myself doing. I enrolled in Culinary School as a second career, just to be doing something creative at that point in my life. I graduated in May 2007, still not knowing what to do with my newfound culinary knowledge.
I now come with over twenty years of experience working in a variety of catering companies, Civic Centers, hotels – front and back of house. I have worked as a Sous Chef for a start-up restaurant on Third Street in Los Angeles, CA, and was the only female Lead Chef. Since graduating culinary school, I have had the privilege of working with more high-end/fine-dining companies – one of which I am still honored to work with today.
After spending the last few years working short and long temporary jobs in corporate and experiencing exhausting unemployment, I began allowing myself to dream again. So, after many years of hearing, ‘You should start your own company’, I finally did!
Luvvie’s Delights was birthed literally on a wing, and a prayer and the love and encouragement of dear friends, with the launching of my signature cookie: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies with Walnuts.
My dream is to incorporate more baked goods from my upbringing in the UK! So, apart from my Double Ginger Sticky Toffee Pudding with a Bourbon Caramel Toffee sauce that’s already on my website and the High Tea option with Scones, Jam, and Clotted Cream, expect to see more deliciousness added soon!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
‘Dreams don’t work unless you do!’
Now, believe me when I say that starting your own business is not for the faint of heart! Being an entrepreneur in the baking industry can be quite a lonely journey, especially when starting out. It’s very hard work and if I’m honest, I really don’t care about the business side at all! I just want to bake and create! I am still the only one working in my company! Everything I’m doing right now was never in my plans for my life!
You see, I have never taken a business class and figuring out how to put together a Business Plan, Food Costs, Profit and Loss Statements, etc., not to mention finding a kitchen space, shopping for ingredients and packaging, social media presence, fulfilling orders and meeting baking deadlines! Finding the time to apply for grants and raise funds for this dream has been a constant challenge. These are just to name a few! No, this has been far from a smooth road, but there is always hope and your passion that will carry you.
I am so grateful for the tribe of people that I am surrounded by and who are in my life, who have jumped in to help me FOR FREE with their time, energy, and resources. Their love, support, and encouragement have kept me afloat during the times I have wanted to quit!
In many ways I’m still winging my way through this business, always learning and trying not to overthink my every decision! You see, I’m a perfectionist and meticulous with details; this has been my own personal struggle! I drive myself crazy!!! Lol!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the owner and founder of Luvvie’s Delights! I am also a Chef and Baker, and I specialize in creating mouthwatering baked goods that will apparently make a grown man cry!!! 😂
As people eat with their eyes first, I am known for paying attention to detail and making my baked goods look amazing – especially with packaging and presentation!
What am I most proud of? I am passionate about people! I love watching their faces when they bite into one of my desserts and the conversations that open up while I’m selling at a Marketplace or Networking event. Growing Luvvie’s Delights has opened up many opportunities to meet the most wonderful people and attend incredible events.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Yes! Don’t be afraid to ask for help!!! Your friends and loved ones will gladly donate their time to help support you when you need it. They will understand that you don’t always have the money to pay them.
I already had the cooking and baking down, but still need enormous help with the business side of things! I’m almost having to take a step backwards to learn some of basic business practices, while still trying to manage client orders and deadlines.
In this day and age, we have SO MUCH information at our fingertips on social media. Take the Masterclasses that people are offering for free! Connect with the Small Business Association (SBA) and Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) in your area. Learn from the professionals that are already doing it! Write the Business Plan and set your goals down on paper. These are the things I wish I had done and known before starting out.
Take a few business courses! It is important to have a basic business knowledge of whatever industry your small business is in, as it will help you in the long run and possibly save your company financially. Lay that foundation and build on that.
Someone once told me: ‘If you don’t have a profit and loss statement and don’t know what your company is making financially, it’s a hobby, not an occupation.’
Contact Info:
- Website: www.luvviesdelights.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luvviesdelights?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/db5913cb
