Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Attallah King, CEO of Unique Treats, LLC., located in Orlando, FL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Unique Treats is a gourmet cupcakery where everything is made with love. We specialize in gourmet cupcakes while serving unique treats as well, such as chocolate-covered strawberries, brownies, mini bundt cakes, cake sickles, chocolate-covered pretzels, and so much more. At Unique Treats, we take pride in adding more sweetness to events by offering catering options for weddings, birthday celebrations, and corporate events. We’ve had the honor of creating gourmet sweets for cupcake lovers from Florida, New York, Georgia, Chicago, Texas, and Virginia, just to name a few.

Tell us about yourself

I am a mother, and I am the owner of Unique Treats, LLC, and a senior at the University of Central Florida with a pre-dental focus track. How I started working on my business is a unique story. I started Unique Treats after the loss of my father. I've always wanted to have my very own gourmet cupcakery shop one day with my father as the baker. My father was well known for his delicious cakes, so I always wanted him to be a part of my bakery. However, after my father passed away, my life changed drastically, and baking became my saving grace.

After the loss of my father, I withdrew from UCF for a semester and began to work two jobs. One day, I was asked to bake cupcakes for a colleague's baby shower. I agreed, of course, but to be quite honest, I was extremely nervous about baking cupcakes without the help of my father. At this time, I had never baked without the help of my father you can imagine how nervous I was. My fear was my cupcakes wouldn't come out right, or maybe the staff wouldn't enjoy them. So many wild thoughts, I can tell you. I decided to bake a dozen of which is now one of Unique Treats most popular cupcake flavors, "Birthday Cake." On the day of the baby shower, I was more nervous than the day I was asked because I didn't know how everyone would enjoy them. Within seconds, I went from being nervous to feeling of joy and amazement from the feedback I received. "Attallah, these cupcakes are amazing," and another "Wow, Attallah, did you make those birthday cake cupcakes? They're delicious, wow"! The feeling of everyone enjoying something I created something that I put my all into, and for me to receive so much positive feedback. I told myself no matter what, this is only proof that I must follow my dreams!

Approximately a week later, after all the positivity, I had an emotional breakdown. I was feeling stuck. I was unhappy and burnt out honestly from working two jobs and trying to figure out how I was going to pay all my bills while trying to enroll back in school; I just wanted to give it up. At this time, I can tell you I didn't realize this was my breakthrough. God was preparing me for what was NEXT! I knew there was more for me; I just didn't exactly know what and where to begin until something said to me, "start baking"… At the time, I ignored the thought because, as I said earlier, I've never baked without the help of my father, and my first time was for my colleague's baby shower. Yes, it was a success, but the thought of doing it alone scared me. The next day something clicked for me. I went from being afraid to focus on what is now Unique Treats. I officially started my baking business Unique Treats, LLC, in November 2015; I would practice every cupcake flavor that would come to my mind. I created "Oreo Blast" which is now one of our most popular flavors by cupcake lovers. It took me weeks of practice to master this cupcake from the icing down to the cupcake.

From learning how to frost each cupcake as I envisioned in my mind took time, but daily I worked hard. My cousin Dionte was so excited about my cupcakes that he posted them on Facebook. That day changed drastically for me. People from my hometown Palatka, FL, to Port Saint Lucie, FL, were raving about how amazing my cupcakes looked. I begin to receive countless orders for Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, and baby showers. Within two months, Unique Treats began to grow rapidly. I decided to quit my second job and focus more on my business. I then began to join as a vendor for women conferences and local events.

What motivates me each day is my daughter and my cupcake lovers. Becoming a mother in the middle of my graduating semester was a life changer as well, but I've come to realize that every bump in the road is not a permanent stop. The way my daughter looks at me with admiration in her eyes and the way she's so excited when she sees the finishing birthday treat orders reminds me daily that I have to stay focused on our future. As I sit here with a smile, my cupcake lovers motivate me in a plethora of ways. I refer to my customers as cupcake lovers because the majority of them enjoy cupcakes just as much as I do. The love and support that Unique Treats has received over the years keep me going. The amount of ASTONISHING feedback and Google reviews we receive from the quality of our cupcakes makes me happier knowing that our sweets are a blessing to so many others.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment would have to be continuing to push through adversity when I had no idea how Unique Treats would continue. When I personally felt as I was breaking down mentally, I still dusted myself off and got back up to give life to my dream Unique Treats.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I would say one of the hardest things when you first become a business owner is accepting that being an entrepreneur is harder than working for someone else. You must work on your business 24/7 if you really want your brand to grow. If you do not show up for your business, you do not get paid, and for most, that's very important. Also, it would be best if you stayed consistent with your audience.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Just START! Do not overthink. Just do it.
  2. Do not allow your current situation to dictate your future. This is for your personal life and starting or growing a business.
  3. Stay focused on what YOU want for your brand and business.
  4. Here's a bonus tip NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I would like to say thank you for this amazing opportunity. To those of you that have a dream of being an entrepreneur, you can do it. You just have to first believe in yourself.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://linktr.ee/attallahk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TreatsByAttallah/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniquetreats/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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