This October, as we celebrate National Women’s Small Business Month, Lou’s Buns stands out as a success story built on hustle, creativity, and vision. Located at 429 L’Enfant Plaza SW Suite 470 in Washington, DC, Lou’s Buns operates from a vendor booth in the center of the plaza, offering signature cinnamon buns that go far beyond the ordinary.
Founder Alexandia Diggs has created a menu that features bold, flavorful twists on the classic bun, including apple pie, blueberry cinnamon, red velvet cake, and more. Each variety reflects her passion for baking and her drive to offer something memorable to every customer.
Alexandia began selling cinnamon buns in 2017 after hosting a brunch for a friend. “I had been seeing cinnamon rolls everywhere,” she said. “I went to a farmers market near my house and tried some, but they were dry and just bad. I knew I could do better.” That first tray disappeared in minutes, and with it came the spark that would grow into Lou’s Buns.
She had been baking since high school, making cookies every night and selling them the next day. After graduating in 2019, she moved to China to teach but returned when the pandemic began. Teaching was the only job available, but it didn’t feel right. “I was riding in the car with my dad, and he said, ‘Why would you keep trading time for money? Make those cinnamon buns everybody loves.’ That moment changed everything.”
Orders started coming in, sometimes 30 or 40 trays at a time. Her parents helped with paperwork and logistics. “My mom did all my paperwork. I didn’t know anything about packaging or labels,” Alexandia said. She reached out to DC influencers, drove daily to Lorton, Virginia to bake, and balanced teaching with late-night baking sessions.
Farmers markets were tough to access. “I applied to FreshFarm and got denied from every market,” she said. “They kept saying I needed this and that. So, I got everything they asked for and still got denied. I don’t take no for an answer.” Eventually, she was accepted into the Mosaic Farmers Market in Fairfax in 2022. From there, Lou’s Buns gained momentum, appearing at pop-ups and applying to participate in the 2025 inauguration.
Her father’s passing in 2024 was a major loss. “He gave me the idea for the business,” Alexandia said. “I had a farmers market the day of his funeral, and someone still went to sell for me. I didn’t want to quit. I kept hearing that he wouldn’t want me to stop.”
Now 28, Alexandia reflects on her journey. “My parents were hustlers. My dad always said any gift or talent we had, we needed to turn it into a business. It was annoying at first, but now I get it. I’ve been baking my whole life.”
Lou’s Buns is preparing to launch breakfast sandwiches in November, served on cinnamon bun bread. “We sell cinnamon buns. We’ll have coffee and then breakfast sandwiches. That starts in November,” she said.
For Alexandia, National Women’s Small Business Month is a time to reflect on growth, purpose, and independence. “Being a former teacher, I want my students to follow their dreams. I was doing something I hated. Now I’m doing what I love.”
If you would like to visit Lou’s Buns, Alexandia has three locations you can explore. To find them, follow Lou’s Buns on Instagram click here. To visit the website, click here.