Inspiring Conversations with Latricia Bradley of Lovely La’s- A Taste of Heaven, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Latricia Bradley.

Hi Latricia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
About ten years ago, I found myself constantly stressed out and overwhelmed, and I needed an outlet. That’s when I discovered baking. What started as a simple stress reliever grew into a passion. I began teaching myself how to bake and decorated cakes and treats by watching videos and practicing constantly.

At the same time, my love for coffee grew. I started dreaming of opening up my own shop where I can combine these two loves- delicious and treat and great coffee, A place that is warm and welcoming. Eventually, I turned half my dream into a reality. With the help of my partner, we were able to open a coffee shop. One day we will have it all in one place.

I do not consider myself a professional decorator or a coffee connoisseur, in fact I am constantly learning and trying new techniques and ideas. You ask what got me here, I know this may sound cliche, but hard work, dedication, faith in God, and a mindset committed to always learning and growing.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh, it has not been a smooth road. One of the biggest struggles I faced was trying to do everything on my own. I didn’t ask for help when things got tough, and that made my journey even harder. Starting a business without knowing anything about business was overwhelming. It took me a lot longer to get here because I was afraid of failure- I didn’t want people to see me fall short. I am grateful for my partner though; he always was there to motivate and push me to continue to move forward.

Eventually, I had to get out of my own head and out of my own way. I had to stop worrying about how many orders I had one-week vs. another. I had to trust that if this was truly meant for me, God would make a way. And he has and continues to do so. It’s still hard, but I know this is my purpose, and I am committed to continuing the work- building, learning, and striving for success every step of the way.

We’ve been impressed with Lovely La’s- A Taste of Heaven, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Lovely La’s is located in Raytown, Mo at 6245 Blue Ridge Blvd. We provide coffee drinks and other drinks, baked goods like muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies and deli sandwiches. We provide a space where you are greeted with a smile. A space that feels warm, welcoming, and relaxing.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The most important quality that has helped me is perseverance. No matter how hard things have gotten, or how many times I doubted myself, I have always continued to push forward. I may not have all the answers, but I stay dedicated, I keep learning and refuse to give up. That mindset, paired with faith, the love and support from my family, and a deep love for what I do, has carried me through the challenges and helps me to continue to build something meaningful.