[IDDBA Series] Do You Hear Me Now? Saying What You Mean and Meaning What You Say

Odette D’Aniello is the Founder and CEO of Celebrity Cake Studio, a family-owned and operated retail cake boutique. The company has received numerous awards, including winning Best of Western Washington several times. With experience in the food industry, business strategy, sales, and marketing, Odette has obtained additional skills in product design and brand development, event management, and team building.

She is also the Owner of Dragonfly Cakes, the wholesale sister company to Celebrity Cake Studio, designing, developing, and manufacturing delicious handmade and clean-label petit fours, tea cakes, and mini desserts. Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, she hosts the Celebrity Gourmet Podcast, where she shares insights from successful individuals in the food and beverage sector.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[4:13] Odette D’Aniello discusses her family’s 25-year history in the bakery business
[7:25] The role of authentic communication in building trust and customer loyalty
[9:40] Why expressing your genuine self fosters stronger personal and professional connections
[11:55] How clarity and concise communication reduce misunderstandings in teams
[17:05] Odette talks about listening first and validating others to create safe spaces for open dialogue
[21:45] The importance of aligning tone, body language, and emotions in communication
[26:10] Setting boundaries and expectations when running a family business
[33:50] Benefits of open communication systems like EOS, team meetings, and written expectations
[42:40] How to handle customer miscommunication and the importance of self-correction

In this episode…

Many entrepreneurs and leaders struggle with clear and authentic communication, especially when balancing professional responsibilities with personal relationships. Misunderstandings, unclear boundaries, and poor listening habits can damage trust and create unnecessary conflict. How can business leaders foster stronger connections while maintaining clarity, accountability, and respect?

Odette D’Aniello, a specialty food entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience, has developed strategies for mastering authentic communication in both business and family settings. She emphasizes listening first, validating others’ perspectives, and speaking with confidence to inspire creativity and trust. Odette also highlights the importance of setting clear expectations and boundaries, aligning tone and body language with intentions, and practicing self-awareness and self-care to enhance relationships and strengthen organizational cultures.

In this episode of the Celebrity Gourmet Podcast, Karen Hansen interviews Odette D’Aniello, CEO of Celebrity Cake Studio and Dragonfly Cakes, about authentic communication for personal and professional well-being. Odette explores building trust with teams and customers, setting boundaries in family businesses, and fostering creativity through clear dialogue. She also discusses self-correction, conflict resolution, and the role of mindfulness in effective leadership.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

Quotable Moments:

“Authentic communication, genuine and transparent communication, builds trust and fosters stronger connections with everyone.”
“When we speak with our heart, people feel it, even if they don’t fully understand.”
“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage; it opens the possibility of authentic connection.”
“Clear expectations eliminate guesswork, allowing people to focus their energy and avoid wasted effort.”
“If your team is too nice and you don’t have conflicts, it’s not functional.”

Action Steps:

Practice deep listening in every conversation: Truly hearing and validating others’ perspectives builds trust, reduces misunderstandings, and strengthens collaboration.
Set clear expectations and boundaries: Defining roles, responsibilities, and communication norms eliminates confusion and helps maintain healthy relationships in business and personal settings.
Align tone, body language, and words: When communication matches intention, it prevents mixed signals and enhances credibility with teams, clients, and family.
Encourage constructive conflict: Disagreements handled respectfully can lead to better ideas and stronger teamwork while avoiding unresolved issues.
Prioritize self-awareness and self-correction: Reflecting on how you show up and making adjustments creates accountability and supports continuous growth.

Sponsor for this episode…

Today’s episode is brought to you by Celebrity Cake Studio, a family-owned and operated cake boutique.

Celebrity Cake Studio has been baking joy into all of their artistically designed cakes and desserts for 21 years.

They are proud to work with a vibrant team of cake designers and bakers that help you celebrate the sweet moments in your lives.

They have received numerous awards, winning Best of Western Washington for many years in a row and various small business accolades.

To learn more about how you can celebrate yourselves or the ones you love, visit www.celebritycakestudio.com or email them at info@celebritycakestudio.com.

Episode Transcript:

Intro: 00:03

Welcome to the Celebrity Gourmet Podcast, where we feature top bakery and specialty food entrepreneurs from around the world and share stories and tips on how to create a successful life in the baking world.

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