Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Faulkner.
Hi Gabrielle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My goal in life has been to make a difference. Growing up I wanted to be a pastor’s wife or lawyer something I could do to make a difference, then I turned to music, and there was so much more to be done. When I lost my mom in 2004, I really felt the lack of love in my life and the hurt was deep. The first two weeks after her death so many meals flooded in from the church but what I loved was those moments someone would sit and talk to me, hug me, or ate with me.
After I had my children, I went to school. I thought I should go to school for psychology and political science to get my law degree.
I wanted to be an advocate for people who could not afford a good attorney or struggled with a psychiatric disability, the ones the system forgot about.
Even though I sat at the top of my class for a few semesters the funds were not there to help me finish and off to work I went. While working the kids needed me and I had to return home, not that I minded, because I struggled in a factory job as that was the best paying job at the time. Factory work is honest work and I admire individuals who have made a life doing that, but I was yearning to change someone’s life.
I would host parties and make several different dishes and desserts. I noticed food brought people together. I started dropping baklava off to various places and they would ask for more. Not to mention all my life I found comfort in the moments my family would congragate in the kitchen. I started to wonder if this was something I could do and make the difference I had always wanted to make.
Although I loved church, my church talked about doing and did not do. As much as Iove my family the one person who loved me unconditionally (other than my father) died and as a biracial woman I have witnessed hate and judgment in this world unmatched.
I had a friend who passed away a few years ago. He messaged me and said” I do not think anyone loves me.” While he was on life support, I was blessed with the opportunity to tell him he was loved, and I loved him. As I left the hospital it was at that moment, I knew my life was to give all the love I could.
So how did I start? I started when I watched people light up when they received something from me. I have found I can make a difference. It has taken me a few years, but I am finally on my way. I am now opening my first bakery, Mon Coeur Bakery 208 E Sandusky St, Findlay Ohio.
My mother had me before marriage and in the 80’s a biracial couple was not widely accepted. When my mother’s family learned of her pregnancy I was kept from my father. He never got to know me as a child. It was not until I got the nerve up to find him in 2016. I found out that my grandmother’s side was from New Orleans and my family was Creole along with so many other things. When picking a name for my bakery I wanted to incorporate something from my parent’s love, as my mom said I was her love child. My mom’s last words were “my heart” as that was always our parting words.
With my goal of loving everyone and my father’s Creole background Mon Coeur Bakery aka my heart bakery was born.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Respect between men and women is a fundamental aspect of a healthy relationship in society as whole. I think every female entrepreneur has had to break stereotypes. Not all intelligent women look, dress, or sound a certain way. I have delt with men who think this is my husband’s business or find him more “levelheaded.” I have had men tell me to be quiet so I seem more mysterious to gain clients or I should not rant (as I suspect if my pitch were slightly lower that would not be the case).
Although this is something I have had to learn to contend with the biggest pushback I have had is being excepting of everyone. I have had “religious” businesses disassociate themselves with me because of my values (to love all). As much as those moments have hurt, and I was angry, I found it a steppingstone and growth within myself. I found my tribe and my people. I found my support and my friends. When you put every dime, your heart, soul, literal blood, sweat and tears, it hurts to have someone try to crush you.
So, I have to say my biggest obstacle was knowing I am enough. I had to learn how to have thick skin and not let all this hate around me penetrate the love I wanted to give this world.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Mon Coeur Bakery?
I am so proud of the diversity in our food. We want our vegan, gluten free and sugar free friends to have equal options. We want everyone to feel loved and included. I love taking flavors from around the world and implementing them in the bakery. I grew up with my mother’s Greek baklava recipe that I have yet to find online. Our cake/ cupcakes are moist and rich. We have implemented hundreds of assorted flavors, so we keep our menu fresh and new. Our atmosphere is not like any other in this area. We went with a classic contemporary feel. Crystal chandlers, velvet furniture and a beautiful Roland baby grand piano player. We want to give you an experience and a memory. I will have a 2800sq foot building to fill and we are delighted to give back to our community by having an area other business can utilize for events, meetings, whatever the need.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was so much different as a child. I homeschooled and was very sheltered. We did not do much but church, the farm and that seldom trip to Amish area.
I grew up in a family of business owners. My grandfather had an excavation business, and my mother wrote children’s books. At an early age I answered phones and took messages.
I was always kept in lessons piano, violin, voice. Music was a constant in the household as we ran the music ministry in our church. Nothing was more exciting than singing along with Great Grandma or mom as they played the piano.
I do admit the one thing I miss about my childhood was living in the country. As much as I love my city and now live in it. I had this spot behind my grandparents’ barn that I would just sit and think. Just the wind in the trees, birds and sometimes a frog or two.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findlaymoncoeurbakery/?fbclid=IwAR0l5y7DvZiYCcaAN_M-O9ncAFQIWJtWcXdYRL2Yh9IpfAqokxKLFKWakaI
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078765834476
Image Credits
Keepsake Portraits
