Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebony Clark.
Ebony, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
E’Couture started by accident. It was Halloween of 2013 and I wanted to create memories with my children and decided to make candy apples from scratch. They were less than desirable looking but the taste was flavorful. I posted them on Facebook to show my tasteful disaster and my childhood friend Nicole asked if they were for sale. Word of mouth traveled quickly and I haven’t stopped making them since.
I surprised myself with what I could learn on my own through trial and error and my catalog of delectables started to expand beyond candy apples.
I then combined my love for teaching, community and helping others and started to teach classes. I wanted individuals who were looking to amplify their gifts, interest and income to have the opportunity without the mistakes I made by being self taught.
I have been fortunate enough to be exposed to quality event designers who helped propel me into being a Dessert Stylist. E’Couture has had a phenomenal transformation in this industry and I continue to pivot and shift as more of my talents and gifts are birthed.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
8 years ago when this venture started I truly believe God made me do something by accident on purpose. I prayed for him to give me something to do with my hands.
I had no clue about running this type of business and everything that came along with it. I struggled with time management, boundaries, balance and budgets. I was great at customer service but I often took on more than what I was capable of doing at the time. I believed that good customer service was making my clients happy even if it meant I was overwhelmed.
I didn’t have a “No” button and that led me to develop business relationships in a personal relationship mindset. I struggled with knowing who to trust, when to move on from situations that were not serving me in business and what “tribe” as a business owner and person I identified with.
I have been homeless. I was traveling styling desserts at events, preparing orders in borrowed kitchens, being seen on TV and in magazines but I was sleeping in my truck in parking lots, obtaining hotel rooms and sleeping on the couches or floor of family and friends. This was my biggest obstacle to date but I didn’t give up. I was still going to present E’Couture in and out of a turbulent season.
I lost and removed so many attachments and I started the inner work on me. I needed to learn perseverance, money and time management.
Once I became accountable, healed and mapped out a plan I was able to forge my clear thought and business mind together to positively change the trajectory of my business and life. I developed meaningful business and personal relationships that held me accountable to my work and myself. I found my tribe.
As you know, we’re big fans of E’Couture Dessert Styling. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
E’Couture is a mobile boutique-style dessert company. My specialties are custom dessert displays, signature delectables, and classic treats.
In everything, I do it’s my goal to create the “Awe” moment. Offering a concierge dessert experience allows me to yield consistent results in taste and design.
Being able to pair desserts well with the DNA of an event definitely sets me apart. I am able to customize innovative dessert ideas that maximizes the structure of the occasion and take the pressure off of planners, event management and the host or hostess.
My concierge type dessert styling offers my clients the ability to enjoy their event without wondering who will serve and tend to the dessert area. From start to finish I am there for set and break down and all you have to do with me is provide the table. Decor, design and desserts are all provided by me.
Providing this type of service has enabled me to expose my talents and desserts in magazines and on television. These opportunities have given me the exposure and traction needed to gain awesome clientele. E’Couture is becoming a household name and I am so proud of that.
I am most proud of my students who have entrusted me in establishing the foundation to their treat and dessert making journeys. I don’t take it lightly or for granted that I am sought out to teach what I do to others who have been in similar situations as myself.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Books:
48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Master Your Emotions by Thibaut Meurisse
Reposition Yourself: Living without Limits by T.D. Jakes
Apps:
Canva
Dropbox
Podcast:
Her Clarity, Her Success with Victoria Baylor
Pearls with Veronica
Pricing:
- Dessert Styling starts at $12.00 per person with a minimum of serving 50 people
- Gourmet Apples are $12.00 and up
- Chocolate Dipped Items start at $25,00 and up
- Candy Apples are $50.00/ dozen and up
- Classes start at $150.00
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.houseofecouture.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecouturedessertstyling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/E’CoutureDessertStyling
Image Credits
Shot By Somi Studios (Somi Benson- JaJa)
