Made by Mom Gift Guide: LiLi's Sweet Shop specializes in bite-size desserts, popcorn, celebration boxes

Shanika Ruffin has always baked for her own family, including four children, creating desserts that not only look beautiful, but taste amazing. And it was on the recommendation of a family member that Ruffin, who also works at home as a media services manager for Apple, launch LiLi's Sweet Shop in 2014.

LiLi's is among the featured businesses on this year's Go Ask Mom Made by Mom Gift Guide. Keep reading for more information about Ruffin's work. And stay tuned to Go Ask Mom for more Made by Mom features.

Shanika Ruffin: LiLi's Sweet Shop started as an idea of my younger daughter Taliayh, whose nickname is LiLi. I always made their dessert for birthday parties and school events. She said why don't you sell your desserts?

SR: We offer bite-size gourmet desserts and dessert bars. For example, cookies, cupcakes, cake pops, and gourmet cakes. We also sell gourmet popcorn, which we call Cake Kernels.

SR: Instead of doing weddings and parties, we started getting calls if we can do boxes for a loved one's birthday or special occasion. So we created our celebration boxes. It has various desserts that include a card and a box. We started offering delivery as well because some couldn't travel. We now have a line of celebration boxes for every occasion.

SR: I love the creating part of it and seeing the reaction when customers try our desserts. Our brand is about making simple things taste good and look gorgeous and to see the smiles on our customers' faces is the best.

SR: Our hope is to open a small bakery that is open on the weekends. We would love our gourmet popcorn in local stores.