Let’s warm the oven for another addition to our popular mini-series, let’s dive in. PaSH is centered around sharing inspiring stories, breaking down stereotypes, and sharing the authentic, behind-the-scenes moments that make entrepreneurs so amazing. Let’s get started with, “Evil Sweetness: How One Woman Turned Passion into a Delicious Powerhouse”
Meet Maryellen Derr Owner of Maryellen’s
Derr’s story begins in a kitchen filled with warmth, homemade meals, and the scent of sugar and vanilla. As a little girl, she learned to bake alongside her beloved nanny and later found solace in the kitchen during a childhood marked by loss and resilience. After her father passed away and her stepfather — whom she lovingly calls “Popason” — became the steady heart of her family, the kitchen remained her creative refuge and emotional anchor.
Though she pursued a degree in occupational therapy, a simple request changed everything: a friend asked her to bake a Winnie the Pooh cake from scratch. That moment lit a spark. Maryellen realized she didn’t just love baking — she had a gift for it.
She launched her bakery in West Chester, Pennsylvania, signing the lease for her first storefront on her 33rd birthday in 2011. While her cakes and candies were hits, it was her handcrafted cake pops — double-dipped, cupcake-sized, and made with a secret method that kept them fresh and decadent — that captured the community’s heart.
What’s the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned since starting your business?
There is no failure, with every problem, there is a lesson to grow bigger and stronger.
Describe your brand in three emojis. Go!
What’s one stereotype about entrepreneurs that you’d love to break?
We work 7 days a week. 24 hours a day. We can not make our own schedules. Or just take vacations whenever we want too.
What’s your go-to mantra or quote when the going gets tough?
Everything is going to be OK, we got this.
If your business were a fashion trend, what would it be and why?
Evil Sweetness, it’s who I am.
What’s one piece of advice you wish you could give your younger self before starting this journey?
Never stop following your dreams, you are stronger than you think. Dream it you will achieve it.
How do you keep your creativity flowing when motivation is low?
This is difficult, I drove to bodies of water and nature to ground myself. Close my eyes and visions come to. This keeps me going.
What’s the funniest or weirdest customer request you’ve ever received?
6 year old wanting a shark eating a body jumping out of water. Lots of blood. Blood everywhere
If your business could have its reality show, what would it be called, and what would it be about?
Girl behind the pink door.
My daily life is a show in itself
What’s one misconception people have about your industry that drives you crazy?
No idea how much time things take to creative. I do not have a magic wand.
In a world full of trends, how do you keep your business authentic and true to your vision?
Trends come and go. I create things that are unique and stay forever.
Can you share the story behind starting your business and what inspired you to take the leap?
A gift of making people happy, I have a natural talent that was meant to be shared. So I share my talents through creations of art on food. This makes millions happy! I started at 17 and didn’t look back.
Can you describe a moment when you felt like giving up and how you pushed through?
Collapse of a shipment which cost 180k. I refused to give up
How do you handle competition, and what sets your business apart from others in your field?
I love competition, I find you see the true depth of creative abilities in a solid competition. The strongest shine.
What is one lesson you’ve learned through your entrepreneurial journey that you think everyone should know?
Never not listen to your gut, even if your head and heart want something. Your gut always tells you the truth. This weeds out a lot of bad decisions
Thank you for reading, “Evil Sweetness: How One Woman Turned Passion into a Delicious Powerhouse” part of our mini-series. To read more amazing Q & A’s click here or check back next month.
PaSH Magazine is a lifestyle publication. Our slogan is “all your tiny obsessions.” We are strong advocates of self-love, self-care, body positivity and supporting minorities, especially women, people of color and communities not highlighted in mainstream media. Please send pitches to southernpashmag@gmail.com. Please note that we sometimes use affiliate links. If you purchase anything from a link we have provided, we may receive a small commission. This money is used to help support our efforts at PaSH Inc. Check out our sister magazines Explore Georgia Now and www.redpashmag.com! This article may mention several of our sister brands including but not limited to: Curvy Girls Rock, AYTO, PaSH Publishing and more
