We were lucky to catch up with Artiana Owens recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Artiana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

If I could go back in time I’d be tempted to start my business sooner. This was all started from a Facebook page to show my family and friends what I was creating in culinary school at Illinois Central College and to possibly get my 1st client. I was fresh out of high school and had no idea of how to even start a business, but I know with a bit of research and effort I could have made it a reality. Starting earlier would have allowed me the time to build up my market better with more time to work ON my business because I wasn’t responsible for 5 little ones in 2011. This would have changed my experience by allowing me to build my business where the majority of my family and friends are located and I might have never moved to Savannah if I had a thriving business built already.

Artiana , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a hard working mom of 5, set on accomplishing the goals I’ve made for myself. I come from a big family, so I was always whipping something up for my siblings and cousins. I grew a passion for baking in my junior and senior year of high school and once I started culinary school there was no going back. It always appealed to me to be the chef that created the show stopping cakes and desserts and now I get to do just that daily! I create delicious and beautiful cakes for weddings and other events. My clients don’t have to worry if their cake will taste as good as it looks and that’s been proven by the many that didn’t like wedding cake before trying a slice of mine. My clients can also trust me with new and unique trends when it comes to cake design because I’m always open to try a design I’ve never done. They’re also always sure of what the cake design will be because digital sketches are included for wedding and large event cakes. These benefits sets us apart from the many amazing cake creators in the area.
I’m most proud of the fact that this business was created during the pandemic and has been a success so far. Also, being a single mommy to 5 hasn’t made the journey easy but I have a goal to build this business up to be a regular name in the southeast region and leave a successful company to my children.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I’ve had to unlearn is that people actually want to see the face behind the business and know my story. I’m very shy and this past year I’ve tried to put myself and not just my products in front of my clients. I’m great with people, but my nerves can get the best of me at times. This is definitely a lesson I’m still building upon and if you’d like to see the growth please follow along on any of my socials!

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

My initial capital came from my personal funds. From there, I took my profit and put it towards the next project and so on. I don’t recommend using your own money to start a business because there are plenty of grants and business loans that you could get with the right research and time put in to applications.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/artayscakesetc
• Other: IG @artayscakesandconfections TikTok @artayscakessav20