Small Business Q&A: Addy Cakes -n- Cupcakes

Dallas-Hiram Patch Editor Jon Gargis talked with Patty McMichen, the owner of Addy Cakes -n- Cupcakes.

Dallas-Hiram Patch: How long have you been open?

Patty McMichen: We opened Sept. 9.

Dallas-Hiram Patch: How many employees do you have?

Patty McMichen: I have myself and a cake decorator on staff.

Dallas-Hiram Patch: What's the hardest thing about being a small-business owner in Dallas?

Patty McMichen: Understanding some of the regulations you have to follow (and pay for) before you can open your business. Example: Sprinkler in a small, walk-in freezer. It is self contained and there is a sprinkler over the motor already.

Dallas-Hiram Patch: What's the best thing about your job?

Patty McMichen: The best thing about my job is seeing the faces of my customers as they enjoy a "made-from-scratch" moment. Most people have never tasted a made-from-scratch recipe.

Dallas-Hiram Patch: Why did you choose to open up your business in Dallas?

Patty McMichen: Two of my friends suggested the "Crossroads" so I checked it out and liked what I saw. I worked out of my home in Powder Springs for a year before choosing my store front location.

Dallas-Hiram Patch: Why did you pick this particular kind of business?

Patty McMichen: I have always cooked from scratch for my own family but sweets I had not done yet and with "cupcakes" being so popular, I chose baking. I also spent 20 years in the school food system in Cobb County prior to opening my own business.

Dallas-Hiram Patch: What are some of the services you offer that people don't know about?

Patty McMichen: We offer only made-from-scratch baked goods. Most all other bakeries use some kind of mix if not totally use a mix. Once our customers try our way of baking, the comments are always positive and word of mouth is definitely spreading. We also allow our customers to special order cake pops. They can call us up and we will dip the pops in the color they choose as well as the flavor they want as long as we have the availability.

Dallas-Hiram Patch: Is there anything else you would like to share about your business?

Patty McMichen: This business is named after my 3-year-old grand daughter, Addyson. She is now telling everyone she has to come help me cook because I don't know how to make cupcakes. This is her way of making sure she gets to the bakery to help me out.

We offer so many different products: gift baskets (all shapes and sizes), specially decorated cakes and cupcakes, cookies, brownies, pies, fondant cakes, holiday cakes, birthday cakes, etc. Our best cakes come from our customers’ own ideas. Together we can design the perfect cake for your occasion. Some customers simply choose to let our cake designer do it for them. This way the customer gets something they would have never thought up on their own.

We love our location as well as our customers. This business has been a success from day one. This is because we offer a product you can only get here. We have taken the red velvet recipe and added flavor(s) and color(s) to it. We have blue raspberry lemonade, pink lemonade, strawberry, cherry, lemon, lime, and yes, the traditional red velvet. This is our signature line here and everyone that has tried it comes back for more.

We also have "margarita" (strawberry or lime) cupcakes. This recipe has real tequila and Grand Marnier baked right in.

Addy Cakes -n- Cupcakes

8876 Dallas-Acworth Highway, Suite 302, Dallas

Monday – Friday, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Phone 770-249-7282, or text 770-366-7520