Influential Woman · Human Resources, Bakery
Monique R.
Owner & Lead Cake Artist, Mon’Ami Sweets LLC
Melissa, TX
Her Story
About Monique
I’ve been in human resources for over 15 years, but baking has always been where my creativity lives. I started baking over a decade ago for my family and officially launched my business just last year, after a season of realizing that what I loved doing in my kitchen deserved to be taken seriously.
The idea came while I was planning my own wedding. I have very specific standards when it comes to cake, and I was struggling to find a baker who matched my expectations for flavor, detail, and quality. That experience pushed me to stop treating baking like a hobby and start building something intentional.
Mon’Ami Sweets is a play on words. “Mon ami” means “my friend” in French, paired with my name, Monique. From the beginning, the vision was to create luxury, custom desserts that feel personal and thoughtful. I wanted each cake to feel curated and meaningful, without sacrificing approachability. Custom cakes are an investment, and I deeply respect the craft, but I also believe celebration should feel joyful, not intimidating.
We specialize in custom cakes, holiday pies, cupcakes, and more, all made completely from scratch using premium ingredients. I love for each cake to tell a story. Every design is intentional, every flavor is curated, and every detail is thoughtfully chosen to reflect the moment it was created for. Quality is non-negotiable for me, which is why I invest in top-tier ingredients and trusted brands that allow me to deliver consistency and excellence.
While baking is my creative outlet, my background in human resources has shaped how I build my business. Years of experience in structure, systems, and people-focused work influence how I manage processes, communicate with clients, and deliver a high-touch experience. In many ways, the two worlds sharpen each other. One fuels my creativity, and the other ensures sustainability and excellence behind the scenes.
At the core, both paths are rooted in the same values. Intention. Care. Integrity. And a commitment to doing things well.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Monique
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to never allowing anybody to intimidate me or make me feel like I'm not worthy, including myself. I struggled with telling myself I didn't deserve things, but that's not God's plan for you. I'm very Christian, so I believe God's plan is for you to be victorious in everything you touch. Throughout my career, I've never turned down a position because it wasn't high enough or done a job for the title - I did it for how it made me feel and if I felt like I was an asset to the organization. Working at Toyota was the first company where I saw so much diversity and so many women in leadership. These powerful women in what would be considered a male-dominated manufacturing industry - the way they did it inspired me to keep going. I knew at that moment that there was no ceiling for me. I could keep going no matter what my background was, because they all came from different walks of life. I realized I was capable of getting to that place too. The leadership within HR that I've had the privilege of working under has been the biggest influence for me. They still motivate and encourage me, even asking why I'm still there instead of doing my baking business full-time.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do not allow anybody to intimidate you or make you feel like you're not worthy, including yourself. I struggled with telling myself I didn't deserve things, and that's not God's plan for you. I'm very Christian, so I believe God's plan is for you to be victorious in everything you touch. Do not allow anything to discourage you from reaching for whatever you want to do. I also want to encourage young women because for me, I was like, oh, I don't know if I should do this because I'm just an analyst. I saw that most of the women featured were huge executives, and I thought, oh my gosh. But this is just a reminder of my own advice - don't allow yourself to talk yourself out of things. I'm just a girl from Harlem, New York, and my life could have went either way. Never let your background or current position make you feel like you can't achieve more.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are integrity and faith. These guide everything I do, both professionally and personally.
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