I would like to introduce you to a new segment in Avis known as "A Day in the Life" because young women around us are doing amazing and inspiring things. Mayly Tao leads the LA force behind the croissant-donut craze but all thanks to a lot of hard work and persistence.
Most 23 year
olds are heading home after a night out when Mayly Tao, self-proclaimed Donut
Princess and mother to the croissant-donut baby in Los Angeles, is heading to
work. As a, “small business owner you are the one responsible for everything,”
and that means you, “can’t just do things half-assed,” explaining her
motivation for more recently putting in twenty hour days at her Santa Monica
shop DK’s Donuts & Bakery.
Mayly’s parents
first saved the shop from economic failure in 1981 when they escaped the
Cambodian Genocide under brutal circumstances to fulfill what they had heard of as the American Dream.
Three years ago the shop fell into Mayly and her brother’s hands, and they have
been the heads of the operation ever since and the, “heirs to the donut
kingdom.” However, this opportunity has come with its daily sacrifices, plenty of research, constant hard work, and minimal sleep.
It is clear why
Mayly has taken the role as the spokesperson and face of DK’s. She maintains a
positive and congenial attitude even though she’s been up since 3 am to oversee
an order for The CW’s Press Tour at The Beverly Hilton. Her commitment to the
customer is what keeps the regulars coming back for more and brings in new
faces including some famous ones. Listening to customer’s feedback through
Twitter or Yelp or even an in-store suggestion of a new flavor has helped to
change the business in the past few years to adapt to new trends. It doesn’t
hurt that Mayly is social media savvy, which she has grown from nothing to all outlets including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. She refers to social media as a vehicle to
allow other people to promote your business for you, and social media was the
driving force behind the croissant-donut hybrid they have been selling at their
shop.
This summer’s
latest trend is a croissant-donut, and DK’s has their own rendition called the
Double Decker O-Nut. DK’s remains one of the few places in Los Angeles to carry
this type of pastry and is notably the most well-known with almost everyday
media attention from sources like Carson Daly from Amp Radio, KTLA, Zagat, and
Thrillist. Lines out the door and around the corner for these sixteen flavors,
the most popular being Nutella and Special House Cream (the original). Mayly even let us in on the newest flavor
to be released Green Tea. People from all over the country are coming in to get
their hands on these O-Nuts even proclaiming they’re better than that other
version in New York.
Most of Mayly’s
experience has been teaching herself and remembering “there are no stupid questions,” she
remarks. “You have to be passionate about and care about what you’re doing.”
You also have to be practical and smart; see where your money is going to be
spent choosing quality always. While DK’s success is booming, Mayly is humbled
by this experience and knows that, “even if this pastry craze is just a fad the
fact that we’re on the map says so much for what my parents wanted when they
came to America. The American dream is here, we made it.”
If you’re lucky
enough to live in the Los Angeles area stop by DK’s Donuts at 1614 Santa Monica
Blvd in Santa Monica. Did I mention they’re open 24 hours a day and not just
limited to donuts but tons of other goodies?
DK’s Donuts
& Bakery
1614 Santa
Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA
90404
(310) 829- 2512
 |
| Mayly proud Princess of her creations |
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