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Redefining Success: Attorney Warren Brown Leaves
Law to Pursue his Passion for CakeLove By Debra A. Henry Most
Ivy League graduates with advanced degrees in Law and Public Health strive for
the trappings of conventional success; however, Warren Brown, an attorney-turned-baker-turned-entrepreneur
differs from most people of his ilk. This 31-year-old Texas native, who was raised
in Ohio, listened to his inner voice. By walking away from a potentially lucrative
law career to pursue his passion for baking cakes, he has redefined success in
the process.
Listening to one's inner voice is one thing; leaving behind
job stability to follow a passion is another. As he prepared to open his new bakery,
CakeLove, Brown's skeptics
wondered if he could make a legitimate living baking. Brown's reply was based
on his keen understanding of his customers' needs and the void that his services
would fill. "You don't eat cake every day, but you do need special occasion
cakes at least three or four times a year. It [cake] promotes itself," says
Brown. In order to calculate the risk of his new endeavor, he conducted market
research in the form of Cake Open Houses where his friends and associates could
sample his goods and help promote his product.
A pragmatic idealist, Brown
eased into the transition from lawyer to baker by working as an attorney for the
U.S. government by day and baking cakes by night. In 2000, he was ready to make
the leap and become a full-time baker. He asked for a leave of absence from the
Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] where he worked as a litigator.
"I had a lot of fun at HHS but I have more fun baking cakes," said Brown.
Last March, he opened his first CakeLove
storefront.
The untimely deaths of three young friends have influenced
his decision to leave the law in order to pursue his passion. The first friend
died when Brown was in eighth grade; another passed away when he was in college;
the most recent death occurred four years after he graduated from college. He
says that he is living as vigorously as he can now because he does not know if
he will have a chance to do so later. "I made this decision to live fully
for [them] and for myself," he states. "The time that I have to do things
that I will remember is right now." The opening of CakeLove
took a physical toll on Brown. At one point, he collapsed from exhaustion. When
asked if he feels that he is "burning the candle at both ends", his
reply is that he has finally "lit the candle."
Brown's spirited
approach to life is echoed through his cakes and confections. At CakeLove,
baked goods are made from scratch with natural ingredients and have irreverent
and quirky names like "Buzz Balls" and "Crunchy Feet." With
a funky façade and colorful décor, this new wave bakery serves familiar
sweets with an edgy twist. Located in Washington D.C.'s historic "U"
street corridor, CakeLove
may not be your grandmother's idea of a bakery, but Warren Brown is certain that
CakeLove will be everyone's
bakery once they taste his cakes.
Despite Brown's business acumen and charismatic
personality, CakeLove has
experienced some of the typical challenges of new businesses. Nevertheless, Brown
is satisfied with his decision to breakaway from "the 9-to-5." Overall,
he feels that the quality of his life has improved. He has more time to pursue
his passion. As an entrepreneur, he states, "it is not as overwhelming as
people make it sound. You just have to stay on top of things, stay with it and
it will be OK." He tries to find time to recharge by running for exercise,
sleeping soundly and eating well. Actually, he feels like he has more time by
being in business for himself. "I do not have to be there [in the shop] for
the work to get done. People think that I am working alone or with one other person.
Before, I was doing everything myself." He now has a staff that can do the
work so that he can do other things such as plan for the future of CakeLove.
What's
next for Brown and CakeLove?
Across the street from the current location, renovations are underway for Brown's
next venture, an eat-in cafe featuring his cakes. Additional CakeLove
locations are a possibility both locally and nationally. E-commerce could be an
option. A line of natural sugar-substitute baked goods is also in the works. Executives
from a cable network have approached Brown about the possibility of a TV show.
By
fate or by design, CakeLove
is a phenomenon. Brown and his bakery have been featured in The Washington Post,
Kiplinger's, The Shuttle Sheet and People magazine among other publications. People
named Brown one of the most eligible bachelors of 2001. The media attention all
started with a chance meeting with a Washington Post reporter at a local grocery.
Brown had no intention of going to shop there that day but he says that his "gut
told him to be there." So, he headed toward store. Upon meeting the writer,
he declared "Have I got a story for you!" This unexpected meeting led
to an article in the Post that described his journey as a start-up business. Such
publicity has stimulated the interests of others to tell his story.
The
tale of Brown and CakeLove
engages the fantasy that finding passion is possible. He has by-passed the safety
of a conventional career in order to design his dream job. How did Brown find
his fervor? He contends that listening is important. He states that if you listen
to yourself, it [passion] will "come to the surface. Let it happen."
For Brown, the pursuit of passion is really the quest for contentment. "People
just want to be happy. CakeLove
makes me happy. It's fun. It's satisfying to my soul."
To learn more
about Warren Brown and CakeLove,
you may visit his website, www.CakeLove.com. Copyright © 2003 Debra A. Henry Discuss
this article on our discussion forum.
Philanthropist
Profile: Tony Perkins
Good Morning America's Weather Forecaster has a Kind
Heart and a Generous Spirit By Debra A. Henry People matter to
Tony Perkins. From his own family to the average "Joe" in the studio
audience who waits in line hoping for his "15 seconds of fame" on Good
Morning America, Perkins values people. The importance of people is apparent
in his work as television personality and weatherman on ABC's highly rated morning
show. Perkins' gregarious nature and quick wit have propelled him to the upper
echelon of network television. Kindness and respect are the operative words in
connecting with his audiences. These same characteristics motivate him to donate
his time, talent and resources to others. Whether it is mentoring, philanthropy
or taking a moment to say a kind word, Perkins gives generously. Perkins
has worked in the field of Communications for over 20 years. In the 1980's, this
graduate of American University with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications began
his TV career at ABC News by working as a desk assistant at the network's Washington
bureau. Later, he produced and hosted a local television show, DC20 Breakaway,
for which he earned an Emmy in 1988. In addition, he performed as a stand-up comedian
before entering the field of radio broadcasting as a producer and on-air personality. Perkins
had mentors along the way. "It is only the right thing to do [to be a mentor]
when you get into a certain position." Radio and TV host Donnie Simpson has
been a big influence on Perkins. "I worked with Donnie Simpson [at a Washington
D.C. radio station]… we are best friends…I learned a lot from him. I
learned about not taking your blessings for granted; treating people the way that
you want to be treated; being very responsive to people. Just sitting across from
him and seeing how he conducted business influenced me." Perkins feels that
"You owe the success [that you achieve] to the people who watch you and listen
to you. It is a direct relationship. You can't in good consciousness mistreat
people or take them for granted." After working with Simpson in local radio
for many years, he returned to television as the weather personality and later
the co-anchor of the morning news program of the Fox affiliate in the Nation's
Capitol. Perkins has been the weatherman for Good Morning America since
1999. Perkins' affability and wit are a direct legacy from his parents.
Born in New York, Perkins was raised in the Washington D.C. area. He grew up accustomed
to humor in the family home. "I go back to my father. He was one of the funniest
people that I have ever known." Another bequest from his family is his charitable
nature. "Giving back seems like the right thing to do." "We turned
out the way we are because our parents were good parents…they instilled the
right values, a good work ethic. They encouraged us to follow our dreams." Having
reached the pinnacle of success in TV, Perkins feels the obligation to give back
to his community. For Perkins, charity begins at home. For many years, the Perkins
family has had an affiliation with Community Family Life Services, a social service
organization in Washington D.C. which helps homeless and low-income individuals
and families. In addition to his monetary donations, he has also served as Master
of Ceremonies for this group's fundraisers for many years. His wife, Rhonda, is
the director of employment services for this agency where she gives direct assistance
to clients of Community Family Life Services. Because of the important work that
his wife performs, the couple has made the commitment to continue her tenure there.
This poses some hardship for the family as he commutes from their home in Northern
Virginia to New York. "We are making a sacrifice to do this. She is in D.C.
and I am in New York during the week. We have our weekends together." In
addition to Community Family Life Services, Perkins supports other charitable
concerns. Among his favorite charities is his alma mater. He has established a
scholarship fund at his former secondary school, Mount Vernon High School, in
Fairfax County, Virginia. The monies are designated for high school seniors who
will pursue an education in the Communications field. Perkins has an opportunity
to meet the scholarship recipients and to correspond with them during their college
years. Because of the demands of his work, Perkins appreciates his leisure
time. When he is at home, he enjoys listening to music. Motown and the Beatles
are among his favorites. Spending time with friends is another pleasurable activity.
He and his wife enjoy going to dinner with close friends. When he attends a sporting
event, he often sits in the upper deck and not courtside or at the 50-yard line
so that he can enjoy the game with friends and not be the center of attention. With
respect to his Holiday plans, Perkins intends to spend Christmas with family.
Quality time with family and friends during the Holiday Season is so important
to him that he has designated the time between Christmas and the New Year as time
off in his employment contract. For Perkins, the Holidays are not only time off
to enjoy and relax, they are also precious because of the people with whom he
chooses to spend them. To Perkins, the need to give to others extends beyond
the Holiday Season. "It is important to remember those less fortunate during
the Holidays. But remember that there are 11 other months that people have to
get through. After September 11th, this Nation was extremely generous. But it
also meant a drop off in donations to other [charitable] agencies. Don't forget
the rest of the year!" The importance of people is a constant theme
in the life of Tony Perkins. By example, he encourages people to extend themselves
to others. A supportive word to a young colleague, charitable donations to those
in need or a friendly smile to a fan on the Good Morning America set can
have a positive impact. He notes, " Most people got a hand, got help from
somebody." With genuine kindness, Perkins extends his warmth, wit and benevolence
to countless people along the way. Copyright © 2003 Debra A. Henry
Image
credits: ABC News Discuss
this article on our discussion forum.
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