Sweet business

A health problem motivated Candi Cooper to launch her business.

Now, with some of her customers singing her praises for filling a need that had existed in Odessa and Midland for years, Cooper's enjoying the sweet success of operating a business that's serving a real hunger in the two cities.

Cooper's business, Sweet Soul Dessert Bar, produces desserts two ways: regular desserts made with sugar and also desserts produced using Splenda that can be eaten by diabetics.

"The response has been incredible," Cooper said. "The comment I hear over and over again is ‘I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything now.' "

Cooper's mother, Willie Cooper, and grandmother, Ollie Bond, both of Midland, are diabetics, which gave Cooper the understanding of the crying need for a bakery that catered to the sweet tooth of those suffering from the health problem. There are plenty of then in the two cities.

Janie Garms, director of the diabetes center at Medical Center Hospital, noted there are about 13,000 diabetics each in Odessa and Midland, and the number's predicted to increase by another 43 percent by the year 2025 - just 17 years from now.

The problem, Garms said, is one of lifestyle. It's the lack of exercise, along with hereditary factors, that lead to diabetes.

Debbie Mason, a registered nurse who serves as diabetes educator for Midland Memorial Hospital, agreed that diabetes is a major health problem for thousands of local residents.

She said controlling a person's diet is essential with diabetes.

"It's just healthy eating," she said. "We can even work with regular foods. It's just being in the right amounts."

Garms and Mason also noted there are no other businesses in either Odessa or Midland that produce desserts fresh that diabetics can eat.

Cooper had high praise for Dana Mondragon, a former business specialist for the Small Business Development Center, and the other SBDC specialists who helped her in planning and opening her business.

"I would recommend them to anyone who needs help with their business," she said.

Since opening her business in June in Midland Plaza Shopping Center, 3001 W. Loop 250 in Midland, Cooper said her activity has mushroomed. Her business is now split 50-50 between sale of regular desserts and sugar-free desserts.

Cooper is assisted in her business by her brother, Eric Cooper, and her sisters, Monica Cooper and DeLaney Cooper. She said if the business keeps growing as it has recently she'll probably need to hire additional workers soon. She said she hopes to also establish a catering service.

One of her customers is Cuatro Aaron, owner of The Hog Pit in Midland. He said he has found Cooper's desserts to be outstanding products. He mentioned specifically her cherry pies and banana puddings.

"I think there was a huge need, a gap that had existed here for years that her desserts are now filling," Aaron said.

Her facility can seat 16 people, Cooper said. But the shop makes regular deliveries to locations in Odessa and elsewhere, she said. A delivery surcharge is added to cover the cost of fuel.

"We definitely want to be able to get the product into as many people's hands as possible," Cooper said.

In addition to filling a need for those who cannot consume sugar, Cooper said, "We wanted to be able to offer something for the craving you have."

That's sweet success talking.

WANT SOMETHING SWEET?

>> Sweet Soul Dessert Bar, 3001 W. Loop 250 North, Midland.

>> When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.

>> Call: 520-2900.