We had the good fortune of connecting with Monique Coleman and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Monique, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“I am exactly where I need to be for my healing, growth and awakening.”
I created this mantra about two years ago when I started a six-week challenge dedicated to healing and becoming a healthier version of myself. I wasn’t so much focused on losing “weight” but more of accepting this new version of me because I wasn’t the same person anymore.
In 2017, my family experienced a tragic loss when my son, Parker, passed away just shy of being 3months old. This was unexpected and changed me. I found myself struggling with my grief and began to lose myself. My family’s grief was being compared to the experience of others. I had to grasp that grief looks different for everyone. We all view grief from our own lens. I began to tell myself, “I’m exactly where I need to be.” Though support and consistency, I started to understand that I will have some good days and I’ll have some days where I’ll cry, and that’s okay. I’m not judging where I’m at in that very moment. I grieve because I love. I like to say that “grief” has no concept of time. It doesn’t matter if it’s been two days, three month, or four years since the loss of my son, I will still grieve him and any milestones that may come. Through this grief, I’m able to see how I’m healing, how I’ve grown and have learned to become more aware of my journey.
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?
Pretty Little Cupcakes, L.L.C. was inspired by my sons. It is truly becoming a household name. All of my cupcakes and treats are homemade, baked from scratch in the comfort of my own kitchen. Cupcakes are my specialty. Many of my recipes are passed down from my grandma. PLC started off fundraising for my oldest son’s football team. We love to support our community and thrive off of word of mouth. This is why we attend various community events such as neighborhood markets, awareness walks, etc.. This has not been an easy road. What keeps me going is the passion I have for baking. Baking has become so therapeutic for me.
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.
So, my best friend actually lives in the area. We’re always traveling to other parts of Florida. Staying in Port Saint Lucie, we’d definitely go out for drinks, Applebee’s and Duffy’s are our go-to! Painting with a Twist is always fun, she’s very artistic. The Beach isn’t far so we’d probably go to the beach in Fort Pierce, right next to the Jetty-(another place for drinks, lol). She knows me and that I LOVE Wings so we’d definitely order wings from Jojo’s- honey lemon pepper please!! Since things are beginning to open back up, we’d have to check out this new spot, Vybz Nightclub.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today, without the love and support of my grandma, Ceola Giles. She recently passed a few months ago, which has given me a reason to continue baking in her honor. Growing up, I was always in the kitchen with my mom and grandma. My grandma was the cook of all cooks. My mom took after her cooking and I picked up the baking. My grandmother instilled this passion in me at a very young age. I can remember anytime she was in the kitchen baking, I was right there. She was known for her homemade Red Velvet Cake and Peach Cobbler. I can remember the times where my grandma said she was getting ready to bake, I would be right there in the kitchen watching her with my little notepad and pen, taking notes on what she was doing. When my grandma taught me how to make her famous Red Velvet Cake. I was so amazed at how she remembered the recipe like the back of her hand. I told her I wish I could be like her and remember. She told me one day I would. One day, I made the recipe WITHOUT looking at my notes, I called her and was so excited to tell her. So this shoutout is definitely to my guardian Angel.
Website: Www.Prettylittlecupcakes.Shop/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plc_cupcakes/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prettylittlecupcakesmc/
Image Credits
Jessie Ebright Photo