We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eboni Cohran. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eboni below.

Eboni, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Poetically Sweet was born November 16, 2020, in honor of my grandmother, Ernestine Rodgers whom I lost on Father’s Day of the same year. Growing up my grandmother was everything to me and I wanted the name of my company to have a special meaning. So, I took the two things that she loved to do bake and write poetry to honor her. She was a beautiful poet in her own right, who not only warmed people’s hearts with her words but her delicious baking, too. I always admired the pure restraint she took in making sure flavors were perfect, and everything was pleasing to the eye before you even took a bite.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

A few years ago, I was scrolling on Instagram, and noticed this restaurant had posted a picture of Sweet Potato Cornbread topped with a scoop of butter. It looked so delicious and I was amazed because these are two things I love to eat but never thought about putting together. I knew instantly I wanted to get into the kitchen and try my hand at making it with my own twist. I grew up in a house full of cooks, so the first person to try it was my aunt, Sherrie Cohran and she fell in love! I made it one Easter for our family gathering and it was a hit becoming another one of my most requested dishes to make.

Fast forward, I made a few orders for Thanksgiving then word of mouth began to spread about the goodness of my Sweet Potato Cornbread, that I started toying with the idea of turning it into a business. One night after baking, I sat at my computer and created the logo that would become the face of Poetically Sweet. My small business was birthed during the pandemic, a time when I was battling depression in the loss of my aunt and a relationship, so I needed something to put me back into a happy space. I shared the news with my family and close circle of friends asking only for their prayers and support in return.

It has not been a smooth ride yet I am extremely proud of my small business because it was born out of love for my grandmother and my passion for cooking. My product(s) are unique because it is something that has never been done in this area. I always tell people it is simply a two for one. If you love sweet potatoes and you love cornbread, it is a match made in heaven.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

On this path of entrepreneurship, I have often times felt like a fish out of water. I watched so many people start businesses that I figured it would be easy to do, and I was so wrong. I enlisted the help of my uncle and aunt, Dennis and Dierdre Rodger as they are entrepreneurs with their catering business, Chef D. Rodg World Class Catering and my best friend, Candace Chears, owner of Breathe While Parenting (BWP).

My aunt was instrumental in getting me get insured, helping me understand the purpose for an LLC and making sure I started picking people’s brains for sound advice and direction. She truly prepared me to be responsible for the growth, stability, direction, and daily operations of Poetically Sweet.

I started brainstorming with my uncle who is a chef to develop flavor profiles of butters that would compliment my Signature Sweet Potato Cornbread and within the first few months of business I had created four – Honey Vanilla, Cinnamon Honey, Peach Bourbon, and Rum Raisin. I turned my Peach Bourbon Butter into a cobbler option at the suggestion of my best friend. Both have been my personal taste testers with Candace being by my side for almost every vendor opportunity presented to my small business.

When you look up the definition of resilience their pictures should be there because all three made sure I had the capacity to withstand any and every thing that would come my way. Having their support help me realized that I not only needed to work in my business but on it as well and that it was ok to delegate responsibilities instead of trying to be a one-woman show.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When it comes to Poetically Sweet, I make myself easy to reach, and stay open to cross-promotion on any local or social media platform. I participate in giveaways, create product packages, and do whatever I can to help other small businesses if needed. I always tell people supporting or collaborating with other small businesses does not always require money.

If you have patronized Poetically Sweet, leave a review, engage in my social media efforts and SHARE, SHARE, SHARE! And if you have yet to purchase my product(s), spreading the word about Poetically Sweet to others works wonders, too. When you support another person’s dream or success, it won’t ever dampen yours. I implore the opportunity to connect with other businesses to learn, partner for promotion efforts and grow in a great way.

I always tell people who are just starting out that building your social media audience becomes a 24 hour job. The key elements is to get to know your audience, tailor your social media content to them and always respond to any engagement you receive. This will help any small business to raise awareness of their products, drive leads/business and build a thriving online following.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.poeticallysweet.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poeti_callysweet/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poeticallysweet/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/psweet114

Image Credits
Shawn Cooper – Owner, SEC Photography Eboni Cohran – Owner, Poetically Sweet