About Talent 2 Design

Who is Talent 2 Design??

We all have a story. This one begins with a moment of impact which forever changed the life of one woman. Lisa Allain, born in 1982 (currently 38 years old) mother of 3 (Preston 19, Miquella 15 and Aspen 5) began her adult life early when she became a mother at 18. And then awarded custody of her kid sister (who was 10) when she was 19. Determined to change her life as a single mom Lisa obtained her education NOT in anything to do with CULINARY actually - SURPRISE SURPRISE rather in Health Sciences - majoring in Nursing. Lisa is both a Niagara College and Mohawk College graduate. She became licensed with the College of Nurses and began an amazing career specializing in the locked unit of the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Unit. A January morning in 2008 on her way to work, Lisa was involved in a catastrophic MVA. Lisa survived going thru the windshield. Left with a host of injuries most significant was ABI (Acquired Brain Injury). Lisa required years of extensive therapy to relearn how to complete the basic requirements for daily living. Subsequent to the brain injuries, the College of Nurses did not renew her license due to the catastrophic injuries. If that were not hardship enough, nearly 2 years into her rehabilitation after an onset of severe headaches followed by a seizure in Sept 2010 Lisa was diagnosed with a Frontal Brain Tumour requiring Brain Surgery.

By 2013, after a decade long marriage Lisa found herself a single mom. The vows till death to us part, in sickness and in health seemed a distant memory. Lisa navigated the supreme court system, while dealing with her medical ailments. These moments included the darkest days of her life. Matrimonially assets divided- and no source of income- Lisa found herself dependent on ODSP, and utilizing community resources such as the food bank to provide for her kids. Christmas was only an option due to being sponsored by amazing people in our community.

In 2015, the birth of Lisa’s 3rd child occurred. Aspen was born prematurely following Lisa’s very long stay in ICU at McMaster. This baby in every sense of the word is a miracle.

In 2016, for Aspens 1st Birthday Lisa made some cookies, in addition to treats for the miracle babies birthday. With comments from guests how amazing these cookies were, after the party Lisa brainstormed the possibility of making some “pocket change” to pay for groceries for the kids from creating custom cookies. This is when Talent 2 Design was born. August 2016 Utilizing social media and advertising locally Lisa promoted her idea and notoriety quickly evolved.

In early 2017 Lisa moved herself and the 3 kids to a larger rental house with a 2nd kitchen. She became licenced with the appropriate authorities, and Public Health Approved. Her line had expanded and included much more then just cookies now. And her schedule month after month fully booked.

Jan 2018 as we rang in the new year, another catastrophic moment occured. A flood caused by the city literally washed Talent 2 Design away, and her and the kids were evacuated from there home and resided in hotels for months. It was during these moments, crying in the hotel room. Lisa and her children weighed the options of rebuilding or taking a leap of faith and getting a brick and mortar location.

With less then a month from the time keys were in hand to the grand opening, Talent 2 Design opened on March 10th 2018 at 76 West Main St in Downtown Welland. “A leap of faith we took as a family.” says Lisa. While still living in the hotel, the family worked night and day to open the bakery.

Only a few months into opening the Bakery, June 2018 Lisa began to experience some troublesome symptoms. After several MRI Scans and discussion with her team at The Juravinski Cancer Center it was decided she needed another Brain Surgery. In June 2018 Lisa underwent Brain Surgery (again) as well as extremely rough treatment to decrease the intercranial pressure the brain tumour was causing. Every day Lisa pushed forward, being a mom to 3, and running the business full time. Never missing a beat.

With obstacles, come achievements it seems. Lisa surely has overcome hurdle after hurdle. She has also achieved some incredible accomplishments. From winning the Venture Niagara Award presented by the Chamber of Commerce for Female Entrepreneur of the Year, RISE Woman Entrepreneur of the Year presented by Dr Garfunkel and Shoppers Drug Mart at the Rotman School of Business in Toronto - to being selected as one of the prestigious Top 40 Under 40 in 2018 (not long after her 2nd Brain Surgery) to winning now OVER 30+ awards and counting. Such as, but not limited to Three Best Rated Top Cake Shop for 2017,2018,2019,2020 & 2021, to Welland Tribune Peoples Choice Awards (24 DIAMOND #1 Awards thus far) in 2020 named #1 in 11 categories including a few like Best Bakery, Best Dessert, Business That GIves to the Community and BEST Professional Artist to name a few.

She has also caught the attention of those local and nationally. The BDC Business Development Bank of Canada sent a film crew to Talent 2 Design and did an entire piece on Lisa (view the video above - its been seen 262,000 times and counting) The Hamilton Health Sciences also sent a camera crew and did a spotlight on Lisa for there holiday campaign. Lisa has been in several local papers as well.

Lisa is a woman who defines PERSAVERENCE. No matter the obstacle ahead. Her positive outlook and down to earth attitude ensure she overcomes anything thrown her way. She is a Scorpio and her traits of excelling at anything she puts her mind to, is a fitting description.

Lisa believes in giving back to her community that provided her and her children with so much during her darkest days. As she grows Talent 2 Design so does her contributions to the community. Lisa also employs those with disabilities, adapting work environments that allow the individual to focus on there strengths. Thus providing them with there own opportunity for there second chance, to provide for themselves and if applicable there families. Lisa has also accepted a number of co-op students from the special needs program from the DSBN & Niagara College.

March 2020 Covid entered all of our lives. An obstacle Lisa and many small business owners were and continued to be faced with. Forcing entreprensurs to pivot, to adapt and to rebrand. Talent 2 Design is no exception. As we enter 2021 and Ontario is in there 2nd lockdown, Talent 2 Design is closed - doing there part in the spread against this virus. Working remotely on several business ventures. Including this user friendly e-commerce website that will allow clients to order locally for Pick-up /Delivery and access to all Canadians across Canada with Canada Post Shipping.

As 2020 played on, it was evident the pandemic was NOT going anywhere, and in order to survive. T2D was forced to change there business model. Curb Side Pick up, Delivery and Shipping became the new method of daily interactions. And no in store shopping. No classes, No Birthday Parties. No weddings. The cakes are much much smaller. Every person around the world feeling the effects of this pandemic in one way or another.

It was in November of 2020 that Lisa began to experience unusual headaches. Given the times, stress being at an all time high. This is not out of the norm one would normally think, however accompanied with a routine MRI which came back abnormal and showed growth of my brain tumour. It explained the unusual headaches. And the news, that I would require another Brain Surgery surely was not the news I wanted to hear. In December and Jan MRI was completed again, and both times growth was observed. On February 1st I was scheduled and a Craniotomy was completed at Hamilton Health Sciences in Hamilton, On. In 4 very short days pathology report came back positive for Stage 2 Infiltrative Glioma. Brain Cancer. The team at the Juravinski set up Radiation and Chemotherapy.

March 2021 Radiation and Chemotherapy began, simultaneously. Radiation was Mon to Fri Daily at the Juravinski and Chemotherapy was daily with oral medication. Radiation was completed, 30 rounds. However a rare side effect after 5 weeks of chemotherapy left me very ill, and spent weeks critically ill in hospital clinging to my life. My blood levels dropped to dangerously low levels, and chemotherapy was permanently stopped. Forever. It took several weeks to regain strength and many therapies, blood transfusions, platelet transfusion etc to be discharged home on bed rest. And months before I could return to work, to drive and and form of “normal” life. This tumour will never go away. It cannot be removed. And no further treatment is possible at this time. My team at the Juravinski will continue to watch, observe and treat side effects. Each day is a gift. No guarantees of tomorrow.

During this time Talent 2 Design closed its first store front location at 76 West Main St in May 2021. With its sights on a larger location at 626 East Main Street in Welland. Moving from its original location a tiny 1000 sq foot place to 3000 sq feet is a challenge any time. While battling cancer, was truly an obstacle for anyone. It was a HUGE project. It surely went over its original timeline. However on August 21st, we proudly opened our doors to the public. our new location offers a dream kitchen with plenty of room for our orders to be prepared, we have a gorgeous front area that has a warm Parisian atmosphere where you can purchase fresh cupcakes, cheesecakes, grab and go cakes, daily, PLUS authentic Gelato, refreshing cold drinks. We have an amazing Party area which will host Birthday Parties, classes and events.

It is nearly the end of 2022, as I write this entry. And T2D continues to thrive and survive given the number of obstacles thrown its way. Like my fellow small business owners. The economy, rising costs and unpredictable times we face as business owners is unprecedently high right now. Big Box stores are closing, more and more vacancies everywhere you turn. Covid has hurt us all. In some way.

Each day I wake incredibly blessed to be a mother to my 3 amazing children and be able to continue to run and operate my bakery. Having the incredible support of the Niagara Region behind me. My cancer is being very closely monitored. Medications being adjusted, as symptoms change. And I have NO complaints. Life is such an incredible gift. 2023 will come with some changes to our family. Cannot wait to share, how our family will GROW!

Stay Tuned Lisa’s story does not end here - her 2nd chance to live has only begun.