Despi Delite Bakery: Succeeding a Family Legacy With Brittany Despi

Brittany Despi is the Co-owner of Despi Delite Bakery, which specializes in Filipino cakes and pastries. Brittany and her brother inherited the family-owned business from their parents, who share a baking legacy that originated in the Philippines. Located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Delite Bakery has been serving up traditional Filipino flavors, including purple ube, for over two decades.

In this episode…

Succession can be challenging for small, family-owned bakeries, as parents may be reluctant to relinquish ownership and knowledge to the next generation. This can make the transition from the parents to the children difficult. What are some strategies for a respectful and painless exchange of ownership?

Multi-generational bakery owner Brittany Despi affirms that the older generation should teach the younger generation all aspects of the business when they’re first hired. This includes teaching them the basics, like baking and decorating, and the specifics like the business model and leadership skills. When parents surrender the reins to their children, it’s vital for everyone to be communicative and receptive to feedback, as the change can be intimidating.

In this episode of the Celebrity Gourmet Podcast, Odette D’Aniello chats with Brittany Despi, Co-owner of Despi Delite Bakery, about succeeding a family-owned business. Brittany shares her memories of growing up in the baking business, Despi Delite Bakery’s history in the Seattle-Filipino community, and the essentialness of creating a work-life balance.