Today we’d like to introduce you to Artiana Owens.
Hi Artiana, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Illinois, and we had a huge family, so I naturally gravitated towards the kitchen. I started experimenting with my mom’s cookbooks around age 12, and the rest is history. I remember reading page by page and trying recipe after recipe, and I did NOT always get it right! In high school, I took home economics and participated in just about every bake sale we had. From there, I attended Illinois Central College culinary arts, and just before I graduated, I moved right here to the hostess city in 2013. I had hopes of becoming a SCAD grad, but life had other plans, and I adjusted accordingly by applying to the culinary Institute at Savannah Technical College. There I was taught by some of the best chefs around and made some amazing lifelong connections. After graduating with a degree in Culinary Baking and Pastry Arts, I went into the restaurant industry and worked in some of the best restaurants and resorts in the LowCountry such as Montage Palmetto Bluff and The Emporium. I gained so much knowledge working with the amazing chefs and cooks at these places where quality is a key ingredient. Throughout my education and restaurant career, I grew my family, and in 2020 I decided to take a step back from the restaurant scene for health reasons and to be more available for my 3, soon to become 4 children whom were home from school due to the pandemic. Ar-Tay’s Cakes & Confections started out as a Facebook page in 2012 for me to show my friends and family all the amazing foods and desserts I was creating in culinary school and at home and maybe have the occasional order, which I never did hahaha. In 2020, that all changed with 1 choice. Once I started taking my business seriously the growth really surprised me. I have had the opportunity to create cakes for brides, baby showers, birthdays, and more. As a mother of 5, running a small business alone is the toughest thing I have ever done but so very very rewarding. I learn new things with each client project I take on, and I look forward to the growth I’m going to experience.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s definitely been a bumpy road for me to build my business into a successful one. My biggest obstacle has really been time to dedicate to growing my pastry shop. I tend to focus on being a mother to my 5 kiddos, which isn’t a bad thing at all, but I’ve let the priorities to my business fall to the side before.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in wedding and event cakes along with treats and other desserts. A few things that my customers love are my cheesecakes, bourbon pecan tarts, and Georgia peach cupcakes. The thing that sets me apart from others are my flavor combinations and ability to cater beautiful desserts for all types of budgets. I’m proud to be a mother of 5, successfully growing my black-owned business. Once a year, we choose a local couple and provide our services to create the cake of their dreams for free. There will be a fundraiser this year, so follow our socials to learn more and follow my journey.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, wedding, holiday, or just need a little something sweet, we’ve got the treat! Phone and email is the best way to reach work.
(912)217-8834
We’re on all major social media; come find us!
FB: facebook.com/artayscakesetc
IG: @artayscakesandconfections
TikTok: @artayscakessav20
WEBSITE LAUNCHING SOON Ar-Tays.com
You can donate to my business or dream cake fund here👇🏾👇🏾
Cashapp: $ArtianaO
Zelle: (912)217-8834
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/artayscakesandconfections
- Facebook: facebook.com/artayscakesetc
