Today we’d like to introduce you to Joyce Bassil Zerka and Lama Kmeid Beaine.
Hi Joyce and Lama, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When it comes to creativity and style, B to Z Design Lab is a perfect match. This venture is the brainchild of the combined friendship and creative partnership of Lama Kmeid Beaine and Joyce Bassil Zerka, which blossomed into a thriving event design and styling boutique. And with our focus on custom-decorated chocolate favors and treats, B to Z Design Lab is bringing a touch of sweetness to Minnesota and beyond.
We first met as transplants in the Twin Cities, both having recently relocated from Lebanon and California. Our shared experiences and interests quickly bonded us together, and we soon began envisioning what it would be like to create a venture of our own. But when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, it seemed like our dreams would have to be put on hold.
But not even a global pandemic could stop us from pursuing our dreams. For two years, we kept the fire burning, planning and discussing our vision for the future. And in May 2022, we finally launched B to Z Design Lab, a venture that reflects our passion for creativity, hospitality, and delicious treats.
As Lebanese Americans, we are both deeply rooted in our culture, and we want to share it with the world. One of our most cherished traditions is Dyafe, an age-old custom that involves offering a variety of food and sweets to guests as a sign of hospitality and generosity. And when it comes to Dyafe, chocolate is an essential element. That’s why B to Z Design Lab specializes in custom-decorated chocolate favors and treats, perfect for special occasions like weddings, engagements, new baby arrivals, and much more.
But for us, every day is a reason to celebrate. After the challenges of the past two years, we know how important it is to savor life’s sweet moments. B to Z Design Lab is our way of sharing our love of food, culture, and creativity with the world, one delicious treat at a time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s no secret that the pandemic threw a wrench in B to Z Design Lab’s plans when we were first starting out. With events and gatherings coming to a standstill, it seemed like our dreams were being put on hold. But as they say, every cloud has a silver lining. For us, the pandemic allowed us to take a step back, refine our vision, and discover our true niche.
Sure, it may have set us back a year or two, but it also gave us the opportunity to focus on what we do best: creating custom-decorated chocolate favors and treats that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Now, as we embark on this journey, we are ready to take on our biggest challenge yet – introducing our concept and mission to a larger audience.
Starting a small business is never easy, but we are more than up for the challenge. With optimism and excitement for the future, we are eager to share our love of food and culture with the world. We believe that every occasion, no matter how big or small, deserves to be celebrated in a unique and memorable way. And with our custom chocolate favors and treats, B to Z Design Lab is ready to make every celebration a little bit sweeter.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At B to Z Design Lab, we understand that life’s special moments are meant to be celebrated in style. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to fill a gap in the market by offering high-quality decorated chocolates and event styling that will make a lasting impression. But our goal is more than just creating beautiful treats and events in style – we want to help customers mark their milestones in a unique, personalized, and out-of-the-box way.
Our inspiration comes from our own experiences of celebrating life’s special moments. We’ve honed our creativity time and time again, and we’re excited to share that creativity with customers. Whether it’s a wedding, engagement, or the birth of a new baby, we’ve got customers covered.
But B to Z Design Lab’s commitment goes beyond just offering amazing treats. We’ve partnered with some of the best chocolatiers in Lebanon to bring quality taste and presentation to all occasions. And by doing so, we’re also supporting local businesses and makers during a challenging time of financial and economic crisis.
When customers work with us, they’re not just getting delicious chocolate and beautiful event styling – they’re also making a difference. By supporting this business, customers are helping to bolster the local economy in Lebanon. So, customers can feel good about their purchase while making memories that will last a lifetime.
At the end of the day, our goal is simple: to help customers celebrate life’s special moments in a way that is all about them. We’re here to add a touch of creativity, a dash of personality, and a whole lot of sweetness to every event.
What do you think about luck?
While not superstitious, we certainly don’t believe in leaving our success to chance. We believe in the tried-and-true formula of hard work, patience, persistence, and a healthy dose of faith.
Before launching our business, we may have waited for the right conditions to align, but that doesn’t mean we were sitting idly by. We were hard at work, burning the midnight oil and putting in the effort to ensure we were ready to hit the ground running when the time was right.
And our hard work is paying off. We know that success doesn’t come easy, and we’re not about to rest on our laurels now. We’re more determined than ever to keep climbing higher and higher, putting in the effort to make sure that we continue to succeed. Luck may have nothing to do with it, but we believe that we have what it takes to make our dreams a reality.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.btozdesignlab.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b2zdesignlab/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/btozdesignlab
Image Credits
B to Z Design Lab
