Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Monty Garside.

A full-time attorney turned baker and founder of Confectionist Bakery.

Here are some key highlights from the episode:

🎙️ Guest Background

• Monty Garside is a practicing attorney with over 20 years of experience in litigation.
• He founded Confectionist Bakery in honor of his grandmother, Ruth Ilene Burns Garside.
• The bakery started in his home kitchen and now ships desserts nationwide.

🍰 Bakery Journey

• Inspired by nostalgia and family traditions, Monty began baking after his grandmother passed away.
• His first successful cake was a pound cake that tasted exactly like his grandmother’s.
• He was encouraged to start a business by a client who was the daughter of a professional baker.

🧁 Products & Flavors

• Specializes in cheesecakes, pound cakes, layer cakes, and pies.
• Unique flavors include:
  • Peach Cobbler Pound Cake
  • Amaretto Pound Cake
  • Banana Pudding Layer Cake
  • Sweet Potato Pound Cake

🚚 Shipping & Operations

• Operates out of a commercial kitchen in Atlanta.
• Cakes are wrapped and frozen for freshness and shipped nationwide.
• Orders typically take 2 days to process and 3–5 days for delivery.

💡 Business Insights

• Challenges included pricing products appropriately and managing holiday demand.
• Emphasizes the importance of:
  • Quality product
  • Excellent customer service
  • Knowing your target audience
• Target customers are busy professionals who appreciate homemade, Southern-style desserts but lack the time or skill to make them.

📈 Advice for Entrepreneurs

1. Don’t be afraid to try something new.
2. Control what you can—especially product quality and customer service.
3. Trust yourself through the ups and downs.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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