From Cookie Dough to America’s #1 Deli | Athena & Melina Sippel | TKB Deli

Athena Sippel built TKB Deli from a family kitchen experiment into the #1 rated restaurant in the nation on Yelp in 2018. Her daughter Melina now runs the flagship Indio location alongside her brothers, expanding both the retail and wholesale bakery business. Together they share the hustle, setbacks, and vision that turned door-to-door cookie dough sales into a Coachella Valley institution. They open up about the realities of working with family, why entrepreneurship demands more than 100%, and how to create customer service that keeps people lining up for years. Chapters: 00:00 Starting with cookie dough sales at Christmas 04:24 The muffin recipe that changed everything 10:40 From “Scoop and Bake” to wholesale success 18:55 The family’s vision and expectations 25:15 Surviving slow days and building resilience 33:50 The Yelp #1 ranking and what it really means 40:23 Lessons from the grind of entrepreneurship 48:10 Balancing family relationships in business 54:30 Serving the Coachella Valley community 1:02:15 Favorite menu items and customer favorites The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices