Meet Dequann “Dee” Walker | Customer service specialist and online bakery owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dequann “Dee” Walker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dequann “Dee”, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In late 2013 I lost my job, which broke me mentally to financially literally. It was the first time in my life that my livelihood was stripped from me, and I had to figure things out quickly! At this time, I was in grad school and working odd jobs to cover my bills, but something internally said,” figure out a side hustle”! I’ve always been a great cook, but baking not so much; I partnered with a friend, and we decided to start a business together. To test my skills, I found a recipe for chocolate cupcakes, had my mom take them to work for her colleagues to sample, and the rest ng as they say, “was history.”

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?
I own an online/home bakery called  TheMagicOvenCupcakery, LLC. ( I’ve recently partnered with a Brick and Mortar so I’ll be shifting into a location by the end of 2021. I am a self-taught baker, no formal training in any way; I don’t even look at recipes. I just envision what’s in a cupcake, cookie, etc., and bring it to life. I’m proud of and appreciative of this journey. It’s been seven years since I started this business, which I never imagined would grow the way it has. There has been a lot of learning and growth. I’ve had many trials and tribulations in my walk as a business owner, more than I expected, lol. I now, however, understand that’s a part of the process of building a business. I have a former background in public relations, so being an entrepreneur /small business owner has been a COMPLETELY different ball game. I’ve had quite a few losses financially and mentally, but I’ve never been a quitter. I’m STILL LEARNING. I know this sounds cliche, but “it’s not about the destination it’s about the journey along the way.”  I would say what sets me aside from others is just my passion for it- baking is really a love language for me. I thoroughly enjoy giving my customers/family/friends my baked goods and watching them love each and every bite!!

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.

The foodie in me just got very EXCITED!!!!! I just relocated back to Atlanta after ten years; however, these are the places I visit most. ( I have a long list of places to go, though!).

Breakfast – You definitely have to try Thumb’s up and The Hive and my ultimate fav Gocha’s Breakfast Bar- her jalapeno grits will make you shout( laughs).

Lunch-I live in Sandy Springs, so my lunch spot is an excellent Thai place called Little Thai cuisine; I also frequent The Bucket Shop Cafe across from Lenox Mall, Crab 404, Pappadeux ( can be lunch or dinner), Kand’s spot OLG, Mary Mac’s Tearoom, and Slutty Vegan ( the “One night stand” is a must!)

Dinner-Chops Lobster Bar, Sage Woodfire Tavern, Houston’s, Spondivits, and Ray on the River.

Tourism/hangouts  For someone like me who is still learning Atlanta, these are my must checkout: Puttshack is one of my favs, the Atlanta Beltline, Old Roswell ( bars, restaurants, businesses everywhere- super cute!), MLK memorial /museum/childhood home, World of Coca Cola, Georgia Aquarium, Vickery Creek Falls-Roswell Mills, Little Five Points, The Painted Pig, Piedmont Park, Peters Street Station and Ponce City Market.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I think I read “Girl Boss” several times during the last seven years; it lit a fire in me to get my ish together! I also want to thank my former business partner Arice Grigsby. She came from a family of experienced bakers and took a chance on me, and we created a team! I learned a lot from her as a baker! She’s currently in culinary school, and she’s going to be a force to reckon with! What really boosted my confidence in the baking game was when a rep, Lashonte “Tae” Heckard, reached out to me for cupcakes for an event. I was unable to do the event, but I still delivered the cupcakes to her home to sample them! She posted them on her Instagram account, and my inbox was on fire for a good week!

I have also to thank Janeese and John Murphy( Arice and I did their wedding in 2015 as “Love Sweets,” our former business together. Their flavors and requests were a great challenge.

I think it also inspired us to do more). I also have to thank the Abram family back home in Michigan; my biggest supporters and encouragers with this business are by far.

Website: themagicovencupcakery.com

Instagram: themagicovencupcakery

Facebook: themagicovencupcakery