Living The Red Life Podcast – Episode Summary
Episode Title: Multi-Million Dollar Project Executive Turned Passion Into a Bakery Empire
Date: February 16, 2026
Host: Ray Gutierrez (Guest Host)
Guest: Keisha Davis, also known as DJ Mystique, Owner of Denise’s Delicacies, Philadelphia
Overview
This energetic episode features Keisha Davis, a corporate executive-turned-bakery entrepreneur and DJ. Keisha shares her unique journey from managing multi-million dollar corporate projects to running the beloved Denise’s Delicacies in North Philadelphia. The conversation dives deep into the discipline of baking, entrepreneurial resilience, community roots, how DJing influences her leadership style, and building an 8-figure vision for her family brand—all delivered with warmth and actionable wisdom.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Art and Science of Baking
- Discipline over talent:
"Baking is a science and an art, but definitely a science is very specific. And you have to have a certain level of discipline to get into baking." — Keisha Davis [03:08] - Baking is often underestimated. Keisha describes her first (failed) cake at age 12, emphasizing persistence.
- Baking’s emotional resonance: Her bakery delivers not just sweets but memories for life’s most important occasions.
2. Corporate Lessons Fueling Entrepreneurship
- Resilience through setbacks:
"You’re going to hear a lot of no’s in your life, no matter what you’re trying to do. But in business, there are going to be a lot of obstacles that you’ll have to overcome." — Keisha Davis [04:04] - Keisha’s project management at Aramark (a $13B company) gave her a unique “360-degree view” of running a business, even as she acknowledges small businesses operate with far fewer resources.
- She regularly transfers her corporate skills like resource allocation and process discipline into bakery operations.
3. DJing & Baking: A Symbiotic Relationship
- On making people feel good:
"It's all about making people feel good. DJing for me, I love when people are nodding and vibing...Same thing with baking. At least for our business, there's a lot of emotion tied to our customer base..." — Keisha Davis [06:16] - Keisha draws a parallel between reading a crowd as a DJ and reading customers’ needs as a baker.
- Her experience in DJing weddings and events gives her a unique perspective on how music and cake both create memorable, shared experiences.
4. Operational Excellence & Control
- On management:
Keisha plays a key role in planning at a granular level, from ingredient ordering to team coordination:
"It costs a lot of money to run a bakery. Ingredient costs are high and so you really have to plan at a granular level at this point just to make sure there’s not a lot of waste." — Keisha Davis [10:22] - She takes personal responsibility for delivering cakes, leveraging each delivery as a marketing moment.
5. Community Engagement and Leadership
- Civic involvement:
Keisha discusses her role with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and service through nonprofit boards, extending her impact far beyond the bakery.
"A lot of what I do is civic engagement and community engagement through my sorority..." — Keisha Davis [13:49] - She values her "tribe" and encourages others to find or build supportive networks.
6. Organization, Hustle, and Energy
- Process and flow:
Keisha approaches both DJing and baking with structured creativity—organizing her DJ crates by BPM and vibe, mirroring her systematic bakery workflow. - Embracing the hustle openly:
"No, I actually love what I do. I’m out here, I have a T shirt that says I'm doing all the things." [16:57] - She’s hands-on in every aspect—baking, DJing, marketing, and delivery—finding joy in being visible and setting an example.
7. Philosophy, Mindset & Self-Care
- On self-care and endurance:
"Talk to yourself nice...You can do it even when it gets hard. There's a reason why you're doing what you're doing. So focus on that reason and that should help you get through it. And when you're not moving, you're dying, right?" — Keisha Davis [15:02; 15:07] - Keisha insists on positive self-talk and prioritizing self-care amidst the chaos of entrepreneurship.
8. Family, Legacy & The Denise’s Brand
- Honoring legacy while scaling up:
Keisha aims to take the family bakery national, having already trademarked the brand and actively developing new products like a cookbook. - Future ambitions:
"Maybe I'll have a $13 billion food company soon myself.” [05:10]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On being hands-on:
"Getting up, pouring into people and being an example and people seeing me doing what I do I think is probably the bigger message in itself." — Keisha Davis [17:06] - On delivering precious cakes:
"I have a nice size truck that I deliver and yeah, very careful. I trust me with the cakes." — Keisha Davis [11:20] - On connecting leadership, DJing, and bakery work:
"You're the producer of your reality." — Ray Gutierrez [10:12]
Important Timestamps
- 03:08 — The science and discipline behind baking
- 04:04 — Lessons from the corporate world and resilience
- 06:16 — Emotional parallels between DJing and baking
- 10:22 — The nitty-gritty of bakery operations and planning
- 13:49 — Community service and engagement via Delta Sigma Theta
- 15:07 — The importance of self-care and positive self-talk
- 16:57 — On being “out there” and loving her multifaceted hustle
- 17:38 — Outlets for following Keisha and exciting updates (upcoming cookbook and TV appearance)
How to Follow and Support
- Instagram: @cakesbydenises
- Website: cakesbydenises.com
- Cookbook: Denise’s Delicacies with Chef Keisha (coming soon)
- TV: Second season on Eat This TV (baking demonstration show; 12 episodes upcoming)
Final Thoughts
Keisha Davis embodies the transformational power of corporate skills, creative energy, and community engagement to build a thriving, legacy-driven business. Her infectious positivity and hands-on approach are a model for entrepreneurs seeking to blend passion, discipline, and authenticity as they scale their brands.
“I love my life... I’m doing all the things.” — Keisha Davis [17:02]