Deana Karim, founder of Good Dee’s, transformed her Lebanese American heritage and personal health journey into a thriving keto and allergen-free baking empire.
As a certified Arab-owned business leader and member of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) Business Board, Karim’s story reflects resilience, cultural pride and a mission to make indulgence accessible to all.
Karim’s entrepreneurial spirit was forged in her parents’ immigrant journey. Fleeing Lebanon’s civil war in the 1970s, her father built a renowned Austin tailor shop serving U.S. presidents, while her mother — a diabetes patient — pioneered sugar-free recipes.
“They taught me there’s always a solution,” Karim said.
This mindset propelled her through health struggles, including a prediabetes diagnosis that inspired her to reimagine “guilt-free” treats.
2015 Karim invested $5,000 to launch Good Dee’s, named after her nickname “Dee.” Juggling motherhood and a startup, she packaged orders in her New York apartment, often breastfeeding while printing shipping labels.
Her breakthrough came weeks after giving birth to her second son, when her brownie mix soared to No. 1 on Amazon.
Karim’s Lebanese roots infuse her creations, from rosewater-infused cake mixes inspired by traditional desserts to honoring her late mother’s “measure-free” cooking style.
“Middle Eastern customers told me, ‘We never thought we’d taste this again without sugar,'” Karim told the Indiana Minority Business Magazine.
When her mother died, Karim’s community — built through pop-ups and social media — rallied with support.
“That connection keeps her spirit alive,” she reflected.
Karim’s ambition extends to making Good Dee’s a household name for families managing dietary restrictions. Her Fourteen Homes line offers intuitive kitchen tools, like a bestselling donut pan, designed to simplify cooking.
“Food shouldn’t be excluded,” she emphasized. “My mixes let everyone join the table.”
Channeling her parents’ fearless spirit, Karim urges others to “Don’t overthink, just act. Start small, stay focused, and let your community lift you.” As for her mother’s legacy, “I hope she’s smiling,” Karim said softly. “Everything I do carries her love — and her rosewater recipes.”
Good Dee’s products are available at gooddees.com and major retailers.
Contact Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. If you want your business highlighted in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
