Dessert of the Month: Two Chicks in the Mix!
We are so happy to introduce the first dessert vendor to be apart of our Dessert of the Month, Two Chicks in the Mix! We thought who better than a #dessertgoalsalumni to kick off our first box? Erica and Malaka specialize in delicious baked good including brownies, cookies, pies and cake. They have a talent for designing beautiful AND delicious wedding cakes. Erica is based in Los Angeles and Malaka in Oakland, talk about a power team! Want a box with surprise desserts from Two Chicks In The Mix? Don’t forget to sign up for our June box, last day June 14th! Sign up here.
We wanted you to get to know our June vendor better! We sent them over a few questions and here is what they shared with us:
1) What is the origin story of Two Chicks in the Mix?
“Inspired by the Girl Boss movement, we established Two Chicks in the Mix in our home kitchen as an outlet to create thoughtfully made-from-scratch desserts and generate wealth as young Black women. We’re both self-taught bakers who are passionate about strengthening our communities through social equity, supporting women-owned and minority-owned businesses through partnerships, and making conscious efforts to incorporate ethically produced ingredients for our products.”
2) You both were friends before starting. How has it been starting a business with a best friend? Do you have any tips for other besties who are interested in working together?
“Starting a business with your best friend can be as fun as it sounds. We strategize together, vent to each other and celebrate with one another. Sharing similar values and maintaining transparency has made our partnership solid even through the difficult times and uncomfortable conversations. As with any relationship, clear and honest communication is essential to a long-standing and successful business partnership. We meet at least once a week, we check-in with each other almost daily, we encourage and advise one another when faced with an ambitious project or strenuous workload, we send funny memes often and we always keep it real in the most caring way. Some tips: establish mission and long-term goals (personal and professional), share partnership expectations, identify individual strengths and define clear roles, encourage open communication, and maintain a friendship outside of the business relationship.”
3) What is a favorite memory that you have from the beginning stages of Two Chicks in the Mix?
“Around our first year in business, we managed to book three pop up events in one weekend. We stayed up really late baking summer fruit pies, red velvet brownies and lavender cake. It seemed like a lot of work at that time, but we had so much fun baking together, interacting with new customers and partnering with local businesses. That weekend set the tone for our business and encouraged us to go harder and set bigger goals.
4) What inspired/inspires the desserts that you make?
“We are inspired by California produce, combining unexpected flavor combinations, and creating unique takes on Black American food classics.”
5) What is your favorite treat on the Two Chicks in the Mix menu?
“We really love the Lemon Olive Cake with French Lemon Curd.”
6) In three words, how would you describe your brand?
“Unique, Fresh, Fun”
7) How did you choose BEAM as the organization for proceeds donations?
“Oftentimes, mental health is overlooked and undervalued in our communities. We have been taught to be strong-willed and to withstand adversity – what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. Even more so, our communities lack the opportunities and resources available to receive quality therapy to effectively heal from emotional and intergenerational trauma. Black people in America have a very unique experience and it is important to connect with a mental health provider who can empathize with these experiences. BEAM utilizes a community based approach to help Black people heal through virtual therapy and provides professional development and peer training through intersecting mental health with social justice. We are grateful that BEAM is committed to the healing and health care of Black communities and we’d like to support this crucial work.”
This month, to support the Black Lives Matter movement, we will be donating a portion of each of June's box sales to Erica and Malaka's chosen charity, BEAM, an organization dedicated to the healing, wellness and liberation of Black and marginalized communities. BEAM’S mission is to remove the barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care and healing. They do this through education, training, advocacy and the creative arts. For more about BEAM see the video below interviewing the Board of Director’s.
Want to be apart of the donations for this month? Don’t forget to sign up for our June box, last day June 14th! Sign up here.
For more about BEAM and the programs and services they have to offer visit their website and follow them on social.