Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Jones.
Andrea, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am the CEO of Treatsnbeatz LLC. Treatsnbeatz is a company that specializes in desserts and cakes but is famously known for the line of “Nana’s Puddin”. Offering more than 40 flavors, you are sure to become an addict of the #creamycrak. If you are wondering the “beatz” portion of my name stands for makeup which I freelanced for three years before I put it to the side to pursue baking full time. When coming up with my name I wanted to do a two for one deal and never changed it. Ha! Who would’ve known that it would blend so well? I have been in business for about three years and have been loving every minute of it.
Growing up, I would sit and watch my Grandmother Joann Jones as she would bake 60 sweet potato pies for Thanksgiving and never get tired. Year after year after year, I grew more inquisitive and wanted to learn the tricks of the trade but that dream ended before it started because my Grandmother was a stickler in the kitchen. As I got older, she would let me help her little by little. You could call me her apprentice. At first, she would only let me crack eggs, the following year I could peel the potatoes and, the following I could mix the batter. I continued helping until I graduated to making an entire pie by myself. I was so proud. I knew I found my niche in the kitchen when I began to find peace in making comfort food. Upon entering college at Florida International University, I began cooking full time to pay for dorm room necessities. I would sell dinners every Friday and make $500.00 or better each sale. However, the long nights of cleaning up the mess I created while cooking began to drain me. I pondered for months what would be my next hustle and it wasn’t until my Grandmothers 75th birthday that it would be discovered. I was asked by my uncle to do my Grandmothers treat table. I had no clue about sweets. The only thing I knew about was sweet potato pies and boxed cakes. But, like the optimist I am, I took on the challenge and made candied apples, chocolate covered rice krispys, and candied popcorn.
I was so proud of those treats that I made but as I look back on it now, they were a hot mess lol. But being in business is all about growth and development so I kept on going. That one experience changed my life forever. After graduating with a bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from F.I.U, I went from having a hustle to running a full business. My demeanor changed, my vocabulary expanded and my price went up. Today I can say that my journey came with lots of ups and downs, people who left my side, and, disappointment but I wouldn’t have changed it for no one. I appreciate every brick that I laid down and can’t wait til I see the fruits of my labor. I am Treatsnbeatz and I am determined for All of MIAMI to know who I am.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I often tell others when they inquire about opening up a business, that you must align it with your passion. If you don’t have passion behind your purpose the job is just a job a.k..a “hustle”. When you “hustle”, you make ends meet just to get by, by displaying whatever talent you have in hopes to make another dollar. But having passion leads to unhidden blessings that help you manifest your purpose. I had the passion but I still struggled. I struggled for the first year with pricing. It wasn’t because I couldn’t do basic math, but because I didn’t know my potential. I didn’t want to charge my worth because I wanted to be the favored “cheap” business. I would charge so little that I barely would walk away with breaking even. One day, I told myself you did not start this to be a nonprofit organization. You started this to be your own boss. And being your own boss starts with knowing your own cost.
After that day, my prices went up and of course, I was charging what I was worth. I decided that if I am going to charge more than my work has to be worth paying more. I invested in classes and practicing better recipes day in and day out. I continued to do so until I was content with the products I was putting out. I believe that you never stop learning, so my lessons never stop. I want to consistently drop new products that crave the worlds attention and shell out as much love through my treats as possible. Another obstacle for me was not having the support I wanted. I grew up in the foster care system and bounced around for many years of my life, so support was something I wasn’t used to. I doubted that I would even have customers because no one was backing me. I would cry at times and want to throw in the towel when the only family I knew didn’t support but I heard God telling me to keep going.
I also knew that who God bless no man can curse so I knew that I had all the support I needed from him. Purposely people began to appear out of nowhere becoming faithful customers. The backing God gave me, I would NEVER compare to no man. By his grace and mercy, I have favor. And they favor those treats as well. To anyone reading out their, support comes in many forms. Whether you are buying the product, or telling a friend about the product, or even reposting on your social media, it is NO excuse to not support your loved one. Support that person because tomorrow it may be you who needs the support.
Please tell us about Treatsnbeatz LLC.
I specialize in cakes and sweet treats. From candied apples to chocolate covered strawberries, to cake pops, I provide it all. However, I am famously known for my Creamy crak. I have the best Nana Puddin line in Dade County. I offer flavors such as Red velvet cheesecake, bananas foster swirl, Neapolitan, tropical oasis, key west pie and much more. I am most proud of being able to offer treats that create a taste bud party. Knowing that my customers will be satisfied soon as they bite into my delectables gives me great joy and keep me wanting to create more. My famous slogan for my Nana puddin is #cantpuddinitdown because once you take a bite, you will not want to put it down. I am definitely not your average Nana’s puddin.
Is there a quality or characteristic that has played an outsized role in your success?
The characteristic that adds the most success to my story is my humbleness. I am humble enough to know that I am great but hungry enough to strive for me. I don’t want to be greedy but satisfied. I want to be able to provide treats to a market where it is needed. I don’t want to step on any toes but just tap dance my heart out to my own musical beat. Growing while glowing. The grind don’t stop and the weak don’t eat.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 3053161728
- Email: treatsnbeatz@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Treatsnbeatz
- Facebook: @Treatsnbeatz
Image Credit:
Tamara Jones – Customer (located in the car), Me – in the red shirt, Also me – in the black shirt.
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