Concordia has a new ally to satisfy sweet-tooth cravings and to help celebrate any occasion. DB Dessert Company customizes festivities with personalized cakes, cupcakes, cookies and other pastry options.
“The business that I do is about love and happiness and celebration,” reported Damala Badon, owner of DB Dessert.
She grew up next door in Vernon and graduated from Concordia University. She opened DB Dessert at 2624 N.E. Alberta St. in October.
It’s the second bakery for DB Dessert, following two successful years at the northeast Glisan Street location. An opportunity to open the latest outlet on Alberta simply materialized.
Now she has plans to open a third shop soon in the Rockwood neighborhood. “Follow us on social media to be updated,” Damala encouraged. Those include Facebook.com/DBDessertCompany and Instagram.com/DBDessertCompany, and DBDessertCompany.com.
“My sons are my inspiration and support this adventure,” she pointed out. When she began her new career seven years ago, all three children slept at the bakery while she baked through the night.
In fact, her middle son in particular was her inspiration to teach herself how to make custom cakes. Nine years ago, when he was a toddler, he asked for a birthday cake that looked like a dog bone in a bowl. That’s when she was inspired to start carving sculptures from cake.
“Because he was kind of the driving force of me trying that out, his initials kind of represent what the company started on,” Damala explained. She actually has the same initials.
Today DB Dessert offers a wide variety of flavors and designs. It even offers custom cake combinations to satisfy any taste. Damala constantly looks for new flavors and designs to add to the menu.
Next up are classes, part of Damala’s hope to bring neighbors together and to help build community. Due to the continuing pandemic, a Valentine’s Day class may have to be online.
“We want to celebrate and be safe and cook together from the safety of your own home.” She hopes in the future to offer in-person classes.
Does she have advice for future female entrepreneurs, especially women of color like herself? One pointer Damala offered is that she doesn’t let being afraid or scared keep her from setting goals and pursuing them.
“If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough. The way that I operate in business is I try to operate in a space of fearlessness.”
Nota del editor: Artículo disponible en Español, visita ConcordiaPDX.org/DBDessert.
Javier Puga-Phillips holds the At Large 4 position on the Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) Board of Directors, manages rentals of the McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room and chairs the CNA Social Committee. He is a real estate professional locally, and he is a published author and motivational speaker in Latin America and Spain.