Meet Lamaar Evans | Personal Chef & Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lamaar Evans and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lamaar, what is the most important factor behind your success?
It’s hard to say what’s been the most important factor behind my success. Mainly because I believe there are at least four main factors. Well speaking from personal experience that is. I’d say having a superior product, social media influence, word of mouth, and most importantly, showcasing myself.

Let’s start off with the actual product. When I use the word superior, I’m merely referring to the time and effort that has gone into my cookies. Into my craft. Cookies aren’t anything new so it’s not like I re-invented the wheel or anything. It’s just the many years of trial and error, listening to my customers, taking in the feedback, reworking recipes until they’re just right, coming up with new and interesting flavor combinations, and not being afraid of taking risks in the kitchen. Also, I take pride in making sure my products are consistent so my customers have the same experience every time they indulge.

Next up, I honestly don’t think I’d be in the situation I am now if it wasn’t for social media. It gave me the power and confidence to step out and start doing my own thing, career wise. Social media gives me the ability to showcase my product in various ways, communicate with past, current, and future clients, as well as poll strangers and give constant updates to my next move. Not to mention, allows opportunities for other companies to reach out to me or connect me with open-minded individuals who might want to spotlight me (winks discretely to Shoutout Miami).

Thirdly, word of mouth is huge for my success. All it takes is one person to know the “right person”, and for them to want to try my product. That’s basically how I got my cookies to be stocked at Yes Juice cafe on Lincoln Road. I feel that half of my current clientele was probably referred to me via word of mouth, by a friend or random customer.

And lastly, allowing people to know me and know my story has gone a long way. I’ve come to realize that if people believe in you, then they’re most likely going to believe in your product. They’re going to want to support you, help you, and encourage you through the journey. The power of believing in myself has stopped me from settling, and pushes me to keep growing and evolving. Not just as a business, but as an individual as well.

Hope I didn’t ramble on too much. Writing about myself has most definitely been the most challenging thing of done so far this year.

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 work for myself as a personal chef, who happens to specialize in baking. It all started with me deciding I was done buying cookies from Publix because it was time to start making my own. I’d bake for friends whenever they came over and eventually someone talked me into selling them. Figured I’d go to school first to learn more about baking, but then turned into a full blown culinary experience that lead me to work various hotels and restaurants. I eventually had the opportunity to work as a chef on a yacht, and it was such an amazing experience. To pass time and make extra money I started baking again, which re-ignited my passion for the craft that began this journey… fast forward to present day, I now I have my cookies in three cafes and am shipping nationwide.

It certainly hasn’t been an easy journey. I didn’t come from money, nor ever had a partner in this to help, and trust, I’ve had my fare share of lows that I’ve thought about giving up and doing something else. On multiple occasions. This is what I want to do though. It’s my passion, I’m great at it, and I have so many people who support and believe in me that I wouldn’t just be letting myself down, but them as well. That can’t happen. Understanding the long game and having patience and persaverence have been my keys to overcoming obstacles.

What sets me apart from other bakers and companies tho?! I’d have to say it’s my 10+ years of experience, my creativity of flavors, my attention to detail, and finding a way to make indulging in a cookie a whole experience. Me personally, I’m not too big on adding extra “stuff” unto a cookie. Things that could take away from the cookie itself. I want you to taste the dough and the various mix-ins, and see and feel how they come together as a complete piece. Too much glaze or icing can hinder that experience I feel. In the end tho, it’s the consumer who’s going to buy and eat what they like, and that’s why I also feel multiple cookie business can succeed in the same space. I believe I make some of the best cookies in Miami, and that’s in no way comparing myself to anyone else, person, or business.

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.
Well seeing how my best friend has been living in Miami longer than me, this is a tough one. Honestly it’d start off with a beach day at Eden Roc. I love their beach side set up and they have a great food menu to order off of. Planning from there I’d throw in some of my favorite bars, lounges, restaurants to explore throughout the week… like Doma, Prohibition, Swizzle Rum Bar, Mezcalista, Phuc Yea, Kyu, Citadel, and Vista. I’m a huge tequila person so we’d also have to hunt down some new bars, as well as go on a brewery crawl around Wynwood. I’m not big on planning some times because it can be just as much fun to go out and explore, or be spontaneous. I know a lot of people around the city so I’m usually down to go and support a friend or business if they’re working or open. As far as sightseeing, the beaches will do… both in Miami and Ft Lauderdale.

In the end tho, I’m all about the house party and great people vibe. So if people can’t come to us at my place, then we’ll just have to go to theirs, then let the night take it’s course.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Major shoutout and love to my Hideout Cafe family. They were to the ones to give me a major public push. They gave me a chance and I was able to run with it

Website: www.indulgemia.com

Instagram: indulge_mia

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamaar-evans-27408963/

Twitter: iLamaar

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lamaar2.0

Image Credits
Miami Times