As Arab American Heritage Month spotlights the contributions of Lebanese immigrants and their descendants, few stories resonate as powerfully as Deana Karim. 

The founder of Good Dee’s, a thriving keto and allergen-free baking brand, Karim embodies the resilience and ingenuity of her parents, who fled Lebanon’s civil war in the 1970s to build a new life — and legacy — in Texas. 

Now a certified Arab-owned business leader and member of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) Business Board, Karim’s journey from Austin to New York mirrors the tenacity of her family. 

In an interview with the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, Karim reflects on her roots, her parents’ influence and how she transformed her struggle into a mission to redefine “guilt-free” indulgence. 

Grains of fortitude 

Karim’s entrepreneurial flame kindled in her father’s Austin tailor shop, a business he launched in 1972 with $300 after arriving from Lebanon. His clientele included presidents like Lyndon B. Johnson and George W. Bush. 

Her mother, a diabetes patient who crafted sugar-free recipes, instilled in Karim a love for cooking and problem-solving. 

“My parents didn’t speak English when they came here. They learned the language, built a reputation and thrived,” Karim said. “They taught me there’s always a solution — you just have to figure it out.” 

That lesson propelled her through drawbacks. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, Karim worked in digital marketing while juggling motherhood and health struggles. 

Diagnosed with prediabetes, she adopted a low-carb lifestyle but found store-bought alternatives lacking. 

“I’d bake sugar-free cookies for my sons and my sister said, ‘These are good enough to sell,'” Karim said. “So, I ran with it.” 

From kitchen counter to Amazon’s top seller 

In 2015, Karim invested $5,000 to launch Good Dee’s, the business name derived from Karim’s nickname “Dee.” 

Her first product, a keto chocolate chip cookie mix, debuted three days before her 31st birthday. 

“I always said I wanted to start my first business when I turned 30, and I did so just in time,” Karim joked. 

A month later, she discovered she was pregnant with her second son. 

The business faced immediate hurdles: scarce specialty ingredients, tight budgets and sleepless nights packaging orders in her New York apartment. 

“I’d breastfeed while printing shipping labels,” Karim said. “My husband dropped off packages before he went to work, and I’d stuff them under the stroller for preschool pickup.” 

Karim’s perseverance paid off. 

Weeks after giving birth, her brownie mix hit No. 1 on Amazon. 

“I was recovering with stitches, but I screamed, ‘We did it!'” Karim said. “My husband said, ‘This is your sign to go all in.'” 

Now, Good Dee’s offers more than 20 baking mixes and pantry staples, all gluten-free, sugar-free and allergy-friendly. The brand expanded into bakeware, with pans and tools ranking among Amazon’s best sellers. 

In 2023, Karim acquired One Food Ram, a gluten-free baking company, and co-founded Fourteen Homes, a kitchenware line. 

Deana Karim on nourishing community and heritage 

Karim’s Lebanese heritage flavors her work.  

Her late mother, a “measure-free” cook, inspired recipes like rosewater-infused cake mixes that evoke Barbosa, a traditional semolina dessert. 

“Middle Eastern customers told me, ‘We never thought we’d taste this again without sugar,'” Karim said. “That’s why I do this: to make food inclusive.” 

When Karim’s mother died, her online community rallied. Followers who met her mom at Texas pop-ups sent heartfelt messages. 

“They felt like they knew her,” Karim said. “She’d experiment with my mixes and post her creations. That connection keeps her spirit alive.” 

Karim adds that her Arab American identity weaves into her business ethos. 

“My parents escaped the war with nothing,” Karim said. “They taught me courage and humility. I want their story, and ours, to show what is possible.” 

The future of Good Dee’s 

Karim’s vision extends beyond baking. Her lifestyle brand, Fourteen Homes, offers kitchenware designed to simplify cooking. 

“Everything I create solves a problem I’ve had,” Karim said. A gold-toned donut pan and cookie scoops are among her bestsellers. 

In the long term, Karim wants to build a holistic brand where “Good Dee’s is a household name,” especially for families managing diabetes or allergies. 

“Food shouldn’t be excluded,” Karim said. “My mixes let everyone join the table.” 

A message to minority business owners 

For Arab Americans navigating new beginnings, Deana Karim channels her parents’ wisdom: “Don’t overthink, just act. My parents didn’t hesitate, and that’s why they succeeded.” 

“You don’t need a perfect plan,” she added. “Start small, stay focused and let your community lift you. That’s how legacies grow.” 

As for her mother’s pride? Karim paused, her voice soft: 

“I hope she’s smiling,” Karim said. “Everything I do carries her love — and her rosewater recipes.” 

Good Dee’s products are available at gooddees.com and major retailers. Follow Deana Karim on Instagram @gooddeesmix

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Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news from the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.