Youniquely Yours Sweets & More – Transforming a cake into something breathtaking!

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Chocolate Bombs with a Twist,

White Rum Flavoured Oreo Covered Chocolate Bombs,

White Rum an Wine Flavoured Raisin and Cherry Topping Chocolate Bombs,

White Rum and Rum Cream Flavoured Fruit Chocolate Bombs,

Is your mouth watering yet? Mine sure was after I got off the phone with Trishon Eubanks-Beckett the owner at Youniquely Yours Sweets & More. Natasha Von Castle, a close friend of both of ours, introduced me to her after I had mentioned that I wanted to start sharing the work of Caribbean across the diaspora in a preponderant way.

My reason for wanting to do this, well I was reading a report by the National Bureau of Economic Research, which found that 41% of Black-owned businesses have been shuttered by COVID-19, compared to 17% of White-owned businesses. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the impact of the virus only intensified the on-going racial disparities that existed pre-pandemic.

I also learned that there are more than two million Black-owned businesses in the United States, 58% of Black business owners said their business’s financial health was “at risk” or “distressed” during the COVID-19 pandemic, 35% of Black business owners are women, and Black business owners still receive less business financing, less often, and at higher rates.

It is one of the reasons why we feature businesses in our publication; we do so to lend support to Caribbean business owners by letting our audiences know just how awesome they are.

The baking industry is one of the largest industries in the United States, North America and in the world. In the United States alone, it was estimated at 480.47 billion in annual revenue in 2020. That figure contributes 2.46 to the United States GDP.

It looks like Trishon made a great choice when she decided to open up Youniquely Yours Sweets & More. They specialize in hand made products and bake products made from scratch. Her aim is to take the guesswork out of what to give or get. She makes it easy with her array of unique and delicious products. She strongly believes that delicious, visually appealing products sell and as a result, every cake, cupcake, or bomb she makes is crafted and carefully thought of.

The whole time that I was speaking with Trishon, my mouth was watering. I had to stop and focus on what she was sharing with me.

“I was born in Jamaica and grew up in St.Thomas,” Trishon began. “I attended Seaford High School, and it was my brother who got me into the art of baking. He is an amazing pastry chef, and to this day, I reach out to him for advice, and assistance with my special culinary arts.”

Trishon shares with me that her school days were very simple: she went to school and she came home.

“I would be in my room if I was not at school. My brother was invited to go overseas, but he had his hustle and didn’t want to stop. One day he came into my room and said, ‘Come; you have to learn how to do this.’ I first learned how to bake cheesecake. We did it the old school way. You didn’t use a toothpick; you used your hands.

He then taught me how to decorate. He left his business and went overseas and I continued.

In 2007, I opened my first business Exquisite Pastries and Events and I had the opportunity to cater for hotels. I would send out a menu on Friday’s to office staff, they would order, and I would deliver. I would cater to gas stations as well. I loved it. I really enjoyed doing it.”

Trishon moved to the United States in 2011, and went into healthcare. At the time it felt like the right thing to do, but her love for baking, and creating delectable desserts never left her.

“I put the baking business behind me. I remember the first cake I baked was for my friend’s baby shower. Baking that cake brought everything back. I realized that I would have to return to my first love.

I started working from home again and opened up my second business ‘A Slice of Cake.’ This was when I was in Georgia. When I moved, I wanted to come up with a name that nobody questioned. I wanted when I put the product out there, it was unique. I wanted the product to be unique to my clients. This is when I came up with Youniquely Yours Sweets & More. People liked the new name.

I am thankful and blessed to have a strong group of people supporting me. My best friend is always motivating me, and encouraging me. She always tells me, ‘you have something special. This is your passion, so go out and get it.’

I started investing more into the business, one event led to another, and I remember dropping off samples at VP Records. This is when I met Natasha VonCastle. After trying one of my specialty cakes, she called me back to tell me how much she loved them. She loved the red velvet cake and she asked me to bake a cake for Red Foxx.”

So, Trishon did her research; she didn’t want to make just a regular cake.

I designed a mike on the cake with musical notes. I put his first album, and my favourite song “Reset.” I channelled my energy into the cake. I am very critical of my work, and I wanted him to be amazed. I knew I had done just that when he gave his review in the form of a video.

My goal is to attract larger corporate clients. My dream is to do work with someone like Tyler Perry; baking for someone like him would put my creations in front of larger audiences. I have to say, my creations are like fine dining.

I like having the ability to transform a cake into something breath-taking. I don’t just want to bake a regular cake.  I want to make a cake that speaks.”

Well, when you get a chance to check out her creations at https://www.youniquelyyourss.com/, you will see why this young entrepreneur is definitely on the way to the top.