We were lucky to catch up with Allison Naze recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Allison thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

This is a very humbling question and make’s me emotional thinking about it. During the first year after having our daughter, I literally only tried to market myself to former co-workers, my friends & associate’s, their friends & those I do Ministry with. It has been a blessing for me and my Family and still is; Yet, I do know that I still must Market my business properly, or I could become my own hindrance.

I Love My Community and I Am grateful for all the opportunities and relationships that I have cultivated over the year’s.

But since The question is based on my First Client outside of those categories, It’s Crazy to think about that. Yet, I have been serving my community more consistently since 2020, and it wasn’t until I finally branched out and participated in my first Pop-Up shop in 2021. I planned, and prepped for over a month. Drawing out my designs, costing out needed boxes, bags, ingredients, gifts while trying to recruit help to even put things together.

Did I over-do it? Maybe! But it’s because my work ethic is into God and not myself or anyone else. So when that First sale hit, that moment brought me extra happiness, and showed me “I really have a business and I’m still here on purpose”.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

Hello Love’s💜

Allow me to reintroduce myself to some and introduce to many. I say that because This is not the First Feature I have had the pleasure to be featured in! And hopefully it won’t be my last! Thank you Lord!

My name is Allison Naze, I run a Home Bakery based business in The Southside of Atlanta, Ga (Forest Park) called Tubs Of Love 23 LLC. I am an 80’s baby born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. I Moved to Georgia with My Best Friend, My Husband of 12 years (10/23/22). Chimdi and I do Ministry together, and Our Marriage is our first Ministry.

In addition to that, I am a Stay/Work at Home Mama to Our Miracle daughter, Anna-Grace who is 3 years old now! (Please know There’s a Great Faith story behind her 7yr conception on My YouTube Channel, so check it out). I am a Vlogger, So If you enjoy Family videos, budget tips, PreMarital & Marriage Guidance, Homeschool Inspiration, Natural Hair tips and more. Then Please Subscribe to My YouTube Channel #LifeWithAlliDaily

Now you are probably wondering, how do you do all of that as a Home Baker? Listen hunny, I had to stop wondering that, and just trust that I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. I Make sure I keep a calendar and stay organized. I can’t worry, yet I am very grateful that one of my spiritual gifts is Administration. I TRULY strive to do ONLY what I believe Holy Spirit is leading me to do. Do I Make mistakes? Yes. And it’s not Always easy. But the Joy I have in my life because of Christ, and what I am able to do daily, Makes me dance! I am where I’m supposed to be.

I have over 14 years in restaurant experience ranging from busser to Manager. I have a ‘business’ degree from Le Cordon Bleu and years of trials and errors creating my own Recipes. No! You Don’t need a degree to create your own Bakery business, but Training is essential.

I started off treating Tubs Of Love 23 as a hobby back in 2015, left restaurant management and went back to waitressing. Which really helped us catapult our debt free journey. I decided to take baking more seriously in 2019 since I was going to be home with our daughter permanently. And what a Blessing it All has been to be able to still give back and host many outreaches. It wasn’t until recently that I became a Full LLC!! I was very nervous and scared to invest in myself. Yet I’m believing in God and not myself to keep going as long as he’s leading. We currently do Not Make Decorative Whole Cakes, but we specialize in Custom Handcrafted Sugar Cookies, Signature Gourmet Cookie Recipes, Chocolate Candied Treats and other giftings. Please Visit my website.

Tubs Of Love 23 (the name) was created from the desire to bring happiness in goodies and in giving. We are For Profit but still have a huge heart for Non-Profits, our partnership list is long!

We may be a home based business, but we operate like we are on Black Wall Street. I truly thank God everyday for my business and our humble beginnings. Even when months are not busy, and My inbox is not overflowing with daily orders (yet), We recognize that we ARE STILL Very Blessed and have work to do! It is important to stay focused on our vision to Be a vessel for Christ. We have helped those that are in need; individuals, families on the street, children in a hospital, multiple food drives, some in partnership with other venues, raising Funds to purchase, collecting clothing and toiletries, giving meals and so much MORE away.

THAT is the Heart and will Always be the driving force behind each and every order we receive. You can actually see a few highlights of some of the past events on our Instagram Page @TubsOfLove23. But Only a few, they are just for proof for future potential partner’s. And because these are still people’s lives, We want to respect them, not publicize them. Yet I recognize the importance to show my world that we ARE who we say we are.

One of our visions that we have, is to build a water well in Africa. We have done so much in and around our community of Atlanta that we anticipate in Faith to do that for Thousands across seas as well. Financially we have reached other parts of the world, but Africa has more of a special place in our hearts.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Let’s Talk about a time where I had to pivot because I do have a story!

Question…. Do you think I came out and decided on selling custom sugar cookies?! Nope! I started off just making batches of Cookie Dough for my clients to bake at home in 2015. And I sold Cake pops while I dabbled in other treats.

By the end of 2019 I was just experimenting with sugar cookies. You know those pre-made icing pouches that are filled with tons of preservatives and just aren’t Fresh? Yep! I use to use those! Ha. Not Cute! Let’s keep those for Amateur night right?! Lol.

But Thank God For Grace…. And More Trial and Error…. because I truly had to teach myself, research And attend a few trainings while joining multiple online groups just to help my Artistry and to build my community.

I am very grateful where I have come from in this pivot, I just knew I had to learn this. And so glad I did, because it Was definitely needed!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Listen Love’s 💜

When it comes to social media, remember it’s just that, media You use socially.

Do not allow social media to overtake you (and your spouse’s/partners) vision of what you know you need to do. On what day and how much and how often. Really! Decide for Your business, how much you need to do with social media & Decide what you want to get out of it. Then participate in some social group posts, they can definitely help. Share other businesses in your stories that Align with your vision because it’s an instant repost. Go to pop ups even if you are not selling, support other’s and build rapport.

Set appointments on your calendar for postings and just try to be as consistent as possible. It is very helpful to join online communities and to “be in the know” of other local events and opportunities. As a Home Baker, I depend on word of mouth referrals to help market me. It is Also important to make relationships with other bakers that sell what I don’t. It’s important that I do showcase and tag myself in local businesses. No one will market and get the word out for me if I don’t. I have to show people what I can do and what I have to offer because I don’t have a store front. Email blasts are ok, but not many are reading them.. The attention span of your average Grown adult is less than that a Goldfish. Lol

Also, Fellow Entrepreneur’s, be sure to get a website and don’t neglect it, even if your orders don’t process through your site. A website is great to have to advertise your business when other platforms are not working.

Peace And Many Blessing’s! I hope to do business with you soon or see you in my social community..

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tubsoflove23.godaddysites.com/
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/@TubsOfLove23
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TubsOfLove23/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/lifewithallidaily
• Other: TikTok users https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTR146RL3/?k=1