Conversations with Darby Attard

Today we’d like to introduce you to Darby Attard.  

Darby, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello, my name is Darby. I was born in Houston Texas and moved to colorful Colorado in 2000. I am a young entrepreneur and a Metropolitan State University of Denver graduate with a degree in Hospitality, Tourism, and Events. I’ve always been very passionate about baking, even in my younger years. My first baking job was at sixteen making pies. Since then, I have spent the last ten years working in the baking industry, cultivating my skills and developing recipes of my own. My dedication and creativity inspired me to start my own baking business once I graduated college. In 2016, I combined my delicious recipes and my love for dogs to create Darby’s Sweets and Dog Treats, catering to both humans and canines. I specialize in customized cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and pup cakes! These treats are perfect for everyday celebrations, special occasions, weddings, baby showers, birthdays, corporate events, and more! I believe in using the finest ingredients that can accommodate food allergies including gluten-free and vegan. All of Darby’s Sweets are made fresh to order and nothing is ever frozen or from a mix. 

Over the years, my business has brought me so much joy. I love being a part of people’s lives through baking. Each item that I create is made with so much love and is always homemade. Through my business, I have found new friends as well as doggie pals along the way. One of my favorite aspects of my business is the returning customers. They believe in my product, as well as me, and continue to support Darby’s Sweets & Dog Treats. The future is bright for Darby’s Sweets. In the coming months, I will be adding a floral aspect enabling clients to purchase dessert and flower arrangements all in one place. I have over six months of training as a Florist at my part-time job and am feeling confident about adding this new skillset to my business! 

If you’re wondering what Darby’s Sweets tastes like, check out my website or Instagram to see my latest creations or to place an order. I would love to bake for your next event! 

www.Darbyssweets.com or Darby sweets for Instagram. 

I’ll leave you with my favorite expression: life is short, eat dessert first! 

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?
The baking path has not always been smooth, being an entrepreneur is turbulent at times. Every day you have to wake up and want the best outcome for your business. You are the one who has to get out there and make the sales, the calls, the advertising, and follow up with clients. Anything you do in life will take hard work but the payout is priceless. I’ve known deep in my heart my business is something that brings me joy and I will continue to do it no matter what. To any entrepreneur just starting off and needing some advice, I suggest making goals weekly, monthly, and yearly. Make sure to hold yourself accountable and make goals that are realistic. Get a journal and plan accordingly. I always carry my journal wherever I go so I can always reference it. Try to think outside the box and get creative with your craft. YouTube is a great spot for free learning and ideas. Something my dad always taught me growing up is, that goal can be achieved as long as you have the dedication and drive to make them happen. Don’t give up, keep going! Always believe in yourself and the product behind that. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work consists of baking each order fresh on the day of the event. I do that to ensure the best quality of my product. I specialize in custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cake pops, and pup cakes. Yes, that is right, pup cakes for doggies. I really adore all dogs so that’s why I came up with pup cakes. It is a treat for our doggy friends that are all-natural and organic and is good for dogs. 

My work also consists of one-of-a-kind art. Everything I make is edible art and tastes as good as it looks. I have a ton of variations of flavors and I constantly change flavors and designs based on the seasons. I would say the fact that I bake everything from scratch and fresh to order is what makes me stand out above the rest. Some bakeries I’ve worked at in the past have cut corners by using a box cake or buckets of frosting, and I knew when I had my own baking business that quality ingredients is something I would never sacrifice.

Baking is not easy, and it has many steps before it is complete. In some custom work I’ve done in the past, there were moments when I didn’t think I was going to be able to create the design the client wanted. In moments such as that, I’m able to be resilient and push through and let my creative juices flow. Hard moments like that really show you the type of person you are. I’ve learned I’m strong and a creative artist and I can do whatever I put my mind to in the baking world. 

What makes you happy?
Baking makes my heart content and happy. It has been my passion for so long, that it now feels like a part of me. Baking is definitely a love language, it speaks volumes. It has so much creativity and colors and variations of styles. A new happiness that I’ve recently found is being a florist. I never knew working with flowers every day and making beautiful arrangements would make my heart so happy. I love creating another form of art with my hands that still brings joy to others. The flower industry is so incredible and I feel very blessed to be a part of it. I find making flower arrangements so intriguing. When not making baked goods or flower arrangements, I love to hike mountains with my mini poodle Rolo. 

Pricing:

• Mini cupcakes $30 a dozen
• Full-size cupcakes $50 a dozen
• Cake 6inch 2 layers $70
• Cake pops for $30 a dozen
• Pup-cake 4inch $35

Contact Info:

• Email: Darbyssweets@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.darbyssweets.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darbyssweets
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darbyssweets
• Other: @darbyssweetsdog (pinterest)