There’s something that happens to people when they discover the decadent desserts that Tosha Williams whips up at Dessert Fantasies. With each bite, many describe a feeling that is both pure bliss (because it’s so beyond delicious) and disbelief that they’ve gone this long without finding her earlier. Well, thanks to Yelpers’ big boasts of the little shop, Dessert Fantasies is quickly becoming a Charm City charmer! I sat down with the brilliant baker/awesome owner to find out her secret ingredients to success!
Why did you decide to start your business? Tell us your backstory!
I started baking when I had a taste for a pound cake that my mom would bring back from her yearly trips to South Carolina. I sure love a slice of good pound cake! So, I tested recipes (with many failures), until one day I decided, “Why not create my own recipe?” And, again with several failures, I figured I just need to drive to South Carolina. Before gassing up the car and hitting the road, I tried and tweaked the batter once more and that was the beginning of my journey. I would share with friends and relatives and, from there, what was seemingly just a hobby, was the conception of my business.
Why do you love doing business here in Baltimore?
I love this city. I was born and raised here. I was a kid and my dad would take me to Lexington Market on Thursdays for fresh seafood and, of course, a hotdog from Konstants. Watching Baltimore grow from the iconic Lexington Market to new startups like Mt. Vernon Market Place, plus the diversity of the city, I knew I wanted to be a part of the food scene in Baltimore. My bakery is located in Locust Point – a small peninsula neighborhood home to Fort McHenry, Under Armour World Headquarters, Domino Sugar and many new residential and commercial properties. Locust Point is an area in Baltimore where you have the convenience of city living and the community feel of a quaint neighborhood off of the beaten path.
What’s the most helpful piece of customer feedback you’ve received?
I received negative a review once that I almost responded to emotionally due to the content of the review. I decided to sleep on it and reread it and dissect the information. In doing so, I was able to respond unemotionally and resolve the misunderstanding and perception that the customer had with their experience. The customer actually not only updated their review to a new positive review, but also is now a repeat customer.
What’s your advice for other business owners or someone who wants to start a small business?
Connect with the community in which you plan to do business. Get to know business owners in the area and attend networking events. Beware of solicitors. I have a saying: “If I need a service, I’ll seek the service.” You don’t need anyone convincing you to purchase services that you didn’t know you needed.
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