Daily Inspiration: Meet Diane Schneider

Today we’d like to introduce you to Diane Schneider.

Hi Diane, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started baking and decorating cakes in 1990. I had small children and wanted to make some extra money out of my home to avoid any kind of daycare. I also worked part time at night in restaurants and for caterers while gradually building a small cake following through many various celebrations.

I gave away and donated many cakes thru schools and churches. I also worked farmers markets and craft shows selling crafts, chocolates and edible items while passing out business cards–for future cake orders.
Year after year my business grew slowly.
My husband built me a small commercial kitchen in my basement and after so many years–the space was too small.
My youngest graduated high school and a new plaza was built in the main corner of our small town.
Although I never intended to open an actual bakery–the doors seemed to just keep opening and now this mostly stay at home mom became a very busy business owner.
So, after 25 years doing my small cake business out of my home–I opened a brick and mortar small town bakery cafe.
It was not easy, especially the first few years–but by year 4–I was figuring a lot out and was beginning to make some money. By year 9–the space was too small and I expanded to a larger space.
I am now in year 13.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I would say it was definitely NOT an easy road.
Even though I have been working in the food industry since I was 11–there was still a lot I did not know about owning a bakery cafe. I am now 62!

The begining struggles were just getting people in the door.
Once they did–they almost Always came back. We are that special small town place that in so unique–people now come from far and wide–we are so very blessed!

Other stuggles are trying to make money with such high costs of things. People are only willing to pay so much–but once they taste and see ALL the clean and pure products we sell–they do NOT complain about the prices!
We also have an amazing staff–a place where every body knows your name and truly cares for each other.
And like so many–to have good employees–you have to pay well–we are blessed that most our customers appreciate us so much–they also tip well, which helps me because labor costs are ALWAYS hard!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We do so much–you can see most of it on our website. We specialize in cakes–however, we do so much more!
When I first opened the bakery–I learned I could not be just a bakery–if I was to survive.
So, even though I originally only wanted to offer bakery–I am gifted with many more talents.

I have been a cook for various restaurants and caterers over the years. Corporate and mom and pop places.
I have learned 40% of what I know through the many jobs I have worked thru the years.
10% of what I have learned was from coming from a very big family–thru cooking and celebrating many events.
50% of what I have learned is all thru trial and error. Thru watching and reading and studying others on how they do things. AND all this was mostly WAY before the internet and you tube.

We are unique–we use only the cleanest, purest ingredients in everything we do–including organic flour, olive oil, farm fresh eggs etc.
We make everything here–from scratch–we use our own unique recipes and are constantly trying to do better and improve when we can.

We do MANY cakes–to date I have made no less than 3000 wedding cakes.
We also make cupcakes, cookies and we are VERY well known for our Polish- American cheesecake bars–which just took 2nd place as best cheesecake in North East Ohio!

We also are VERY well known for our dessert bars and trays for catering purposes.
Like peanut butter bars, lemon bars, chewbacca bars, and about 15 others.

We also make LOTS of quiche using farm fresh eggs.
We make our own soups–with our own unique recipes
We also make sandwiches with our own house made focaccia bread.
We also make amazing salads with local hydroponic lettuces.

We also have a full line of coffee, espressos and specialty smoothies and drinks.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
When our sales grow and my employees are getting along and feeling proud of what they can do.

I also enjoy teaching–especially cake decorating–I have had quite a few apprentices over the years.

I am usually working harder than I want to–so when I am able to do less–it feels good to sit back and watch.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://DSCakesSweetcafe.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dscakessweetcafe/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dscakessweetcafe/