"Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Valiant"
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If They Can Do it, So Can You!
Meet Monica Vinson
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Monica Vinson was born in East Los Angeles and was raised in Palm Springs, CA. Currently, she resides in Covington, TN, a small town on the outskirts of Memphis. Baking started out as a hobby for Vinson, but after realizing that she loved it, she decided to get a license and officially register her baking business, MyMonicakes, in 2015.
Baking is therapeutic for Vinson. She suffers from a severe anxiety disorder that is accompanied with bouts of agoraphobia and depression. In 2009, during one of her worst episodes, Monica’s therapist suggested that she take on a hobby. She knew she had a knack for cake decorating, so she started doing it for friends and family as a way to make a little pocket money. Since having a job outside of her home was not feasible due to her condition, cake decorating opened the doors for Monica to start a home based business. That in turn allowed her to feel like a productive, fully functional adult, something she had not felt for a very long time. Monica Vinson had no idea that she could ever be a business owner. She intended to have a little side hustle, never expecting this would be her family’s main source of income. The business started by word of mouth, which really expanded her clientele base. Her ability to do designs that many professional bakeries turn down is what has put Vinson on the radar. She doesn’t say no to challenges and loves making unique cakes. One of the biggest challenges Vinson faced as she started her business was trying to balance work with family time. As a wife and mother of four children, she had to set boundaries. She still finds setting business hours and working on time management a daily struggle, but she can see improvement. She is learning to set aside some time to devote to herself and her family so that she doesn't resent the time and hard work it takes to run a full time business. Vinson’s family keeps her going. She wants to be an example for her kids. She wants them to see that having a disability does not have to put a halt to their dreams. Anxiety keeps Vinson from doing many things in life, but regardless of that, she has been able to persevere and build a business that she hopes one day they will take over. Vinson has anxiety, but it’s on her terms. This condition does not dictate her life. In life, unconventional circumstances will come. Instead of seeing certain situations as hurdles, Vinson wants her kids to find ways around them to reach the end goal and become successful in every aspect of their lives. Vinson encourages anyone who wishes to start a business to be prepared to work hard. Success does not happen overnight. Sometimes adjustments will have to be made and things won’t always work out as you planned. Vinson shares that there is no such thing as a cookie cutter business model. We all have to work and plan according to our personal circumstances. Her family motto is IOA: Improvise, overcome and adapt. As an established and successful businesswoman the word valiance, to Vinson, is having the determination to succeed no matter what life throws her way. Accepting that she might have to do things a little different due to her personal circumstances, but that doesn’t take away from her success. Monica Vinson found her power in baking. She stands out from other cake bakers and decorators because she specializes in the custom designs that aren’t often seen. She takes on sculpted and gravity defying cakes. If you wish it, Vinson will find a way to make the cake happen. With this mentality, she displays the spirit of valiance every day! If Monica Vinson can do it, So can you! Check out more of her work @mymonicakes. Her Business website at mymonicakes.commymonicakes.com/ |
