We had the good fortune of connecting with Janet Roberts-Lyons and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janet, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always had the Passion to Bake ever since my Grandmother taught me her Secret Pound Cake Recipe at the age of 8 years old. I will say that the thought process behind starting my Baking business came when the demand grew so high. As I continued  baking for family, friends, and coworkers I realized the Joy it gave me! I continued perfecting my craft. Then one day I to made the decision to step out on Faith and go for it! It all began with word of mouth. It grew from there and I created social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and now a website as well! It gives me Great JOY to see the faces and Happiness in my customers when they Taste the goodness in something I created!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Miss J’s Cupcakes is a Small Minority Owned Baking Business created by a woman who first fell in love with baking at the age of 8 years old. My Grandmother Annie Lee Robinson taught me her Pound Cake recipe and I loved it from there! I loved watching her make them and I loved baking them. I have Always had the Passion to Bake and I’ve never stopped. It wasn’t until later in my life that I realized I wanted to start a Baking business. I still work my 9 – 5 as I am fullfilling my Dream! My goal is to one day be able to leave my job and work just for myself! I want to use my Gift and Passion to create Generational Wealth for my family.

There is a lot of competition in the baking business. I’m not here to compete with anyone, I am just doing what I love. I’m very thankful to still be able to bake! That in itself may set me apart from some! I think what also sets me apart from others is that with Miss J you get a Great package from the love baked in each product, the excellent customer service, presentation, personalization, the great flavorful taste, to the great vibes. So not only does it Taste oh so good, it looks good too!! I also want to be face to face with my customers so they know my product, my face, and feel my genuine energy and vibe! I am always trying new things in my craft and am willing to learn new things. I’m very teachable!

I arrived here in my business by way of the Mortgage and Financial Industries! I have worked in the Financial Industry for over 25 years. I have been a Floating Supervisor and Trainer to name a few. I have gained multiple skills from these industries from professionalism, diversity, to excellent Customer Service! I utilize a lot of these skills within my own business today! I attended College at Tarrant County College, Trinity Valley College, and Penn State University! I dabbled in business in 2005 when I started my Mobile Clothing business. I’ve always had a knack for Business! I learned a lot about what not to do in your business. As an official first time business owner I learned that you have to be on top of everything from your finances to your inventory. This will help you in the long run so you know where your finances stand and you don’t end up over buying products or supplies. My advice would be to reach out to someone who is experienced in your area of need! If you need assistance, get the help you need. Everyone needs some help at some point and time! Do not be Prideful because we all start somewhere. It is also important to remain Humble! Today my Business is constantly growing. The Overflow is so real! And I’m the same Ole’ Miss J that I was yesterday!

I am most proud of my new found success in the Pop-up world! Since the Pandemic hit, I had to get out of my comfort zone and be creative to get my product out there and obtain more exposure! I have gone from searching for Pop-ups to be apart of to Promoters and Pop-up Hosts reaching out to request I be apart of their events! I encourage you to follow and stop in to see me at one of my many Pop-Ups. I’ve also been a Featured Spotlight Vendor. It feels really good to be requested and in demand! Also my Cakes are now featured at LaShanna Fords Daiquiri Stop located in Hurst, Tx! I so love what I do!

The main challenge I face is with my hands. It’s not easy. I’ve had 9 surgeries on my hands and arms and I am currently facing another surgery. Sometimes it’s a struggle but I push thru! I often wonder why would God give me this gift if I wasn’t suppose to use it? I pray about it daily and I continue on this Blessed Journey he has me on. I have become creative in my baking style to minimize the stress on my hands. I utilize different tools and mixers to assist with my baking.

What I want the world to know about Miss J’s Cupcakes & More is that I love what I do and I want it to reflect in everything I bake! I work diligently to create cupcakes, pound cakes, layered cakes, custom cakes, cookies, and More. I use the freshest quality ingredients while baking and some old-fashioned techniques to ensure the highest quality. Everything is made fresh daily or made to order! My goal is to serve Tasty desserts while Teasing your Palate with pops of Magical Flavor! I’m a Server at heart as well! I am also a HUGE supporter of other Small businesses! I am honing my craft daily trying to be the best I can be. I am willing to assist other Small Business owners with whatever I’m capable of! I Aim to Tease one Palate at a time with my Super Tasty Desserts!
My slogans are:
1. Let Miss J Tease you Palate with some Baked MAGIC!
2. Miss J, your favorite Baker in the hot pink Fedora!

I want to encourage other women and small business owners to continue to pursue they’re dreams and follow their passion. There will be ups and downs but don’t give up especially if they’re working within their gift! Your passion and consistency will result in Success!
My goal is to have my own Cake Truck(s), I want to be mobile so I’m able to serve my Tasty Pastries all over! I eventually want a chain of my trucks rolling around the DFW Metroplex and other cities Teasing Palates with Magic at every stop! Down the line after I have built up my Brand, I would love to open a Brick & Mortar as well.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hey now, if my Bestie was visiting the area for a week: I would first take her to Breakfast Brothers in Arlington for a great Brunch! Next we would do some shopping at the Highlands in Arlington & Galeria Mall in Dallas, During our outing I would check Coffeeman’s schedule to support him and let my Bestie get the Coffeeman Experience! After that we would do some siteseeing and visit Reunion Tower to experience the 360 degree view of Dallas! We would head over to the Bishop Arts District to view some Art. We would then head over to True Kitchen Kicktails for some of the Best Comfort food and drinks.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to thank God first of all for Blessing me more than I deserve! I am so Thankful for this God Given Talent! No one knows the struggles behind starting and maintaining a Small Business that I’ve facedaced individually! Especially when you’re a one woman show! I do majority of everything for my business from the shopping, budgeting, scheduling, organizing, promoting, baking, packaging, cleaning, prepping, loading, set-up, to breakdown to name a few! I know there are so many out there who can relate! Through it ALL I love what I do and Baking is my therapy! I have had a mass amount of help and support along this journey. I would like to shout out my Pastor and Church family for their continued support and prayers Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church! I would like to shout out my kids, my husband, my Mom, Dad, Sister’s, and Brother for their Encouragement. Support, and chipping in when they can Deyzha Lang, Chantles Roberts, Rakim Roberts, Ashley Daniels, Gary Lyons, Gary L. Lyons, Nadine Gray, Joe Roberts Jr., Diana Roberts, Tamika Felton, & Kevin Canady! I would like to shout out my new and long time friends and customers, family, and coworkers that are too many to name for their continued support! I would also like to shoutout my mentor and friend Rodrick James aka Coffeeman for his mentorship, continued encouragement, support, and always sharing his Stage with me.

Website: www.missjscupcakes.com

Instagram: instagram.com/missjscupcakes23

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissJsCupcakes/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.