Today we’d like to introduce you to Madhurya-lila Roe.
Hi Madhurya-lila, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I launched Lila’s Sweets in the spring of 2022 while managing a vegan cafe here in Long Beach for 4 years. I started by selling at pop-up markets in LA and OC and eventually, got into selling wholesale to Wood Coffee Co. (Long Beach) and Nuda Juice (San Pedro). I also started selling direct to customers primarily through my IG page.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While having my own business has been beyond rewarding, it’s not without its challenges. I got pregnant and started the business during my first trimester which was anything but easy. It was important to me, however, to create a business I could do while being pregnant and also after having a baby. I was doing pop-ups every weekend and the physical grind took its toll on me fairly quickly. And unfortunately, most of the pop-ups I did weren’t very lucrative. They often required large fees to participate in and those more expensive markets didn’t guarantee a big turnout. So I decided to stop doing them with the exception of a few places that would allow me to vend for free. I actually loved being at pop-ups and meeting my customers face-to-face but the wholesale opportunities I was being offered were more lucrative and ultimately, made more sense for my life situation.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I own Lila’s Sweets which is a one-woman vegan bakery that specializes in 100% vegan sweets and savory pastries. I offer gluten-free options and make my own nut milks and vegan butter for all my treats. Everything is made in small batches and is customizable.
Some of my most popular treats are a vegan bacon & cheese turnover, cinnamon sugar Thai tea pop tarts, snickr’s bars and a chocolate chunk cookie with Maldon sea salt.
I love to veganize and add a fresh twist to my childhood favorite sweets!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’m here for all the vegan AND non-vegans out there! My sweets are for everyone–and I’ll bet you won’t miss the dairy or eggs. I’ve been vegan baking for 15 years and it’s easier than ever to recreate your childhood favorites and veganize them these days. You absolutely can enjoy your favorite dessert cruelty-free!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilasvegansweets/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lilasvegansweets
