Are you from Saint Louis? if not, where(and why did you come to Saint Louis)?
East Saint Louis, Il. I stayed in St. Louis for 9 years off of Cass and 20th street.
Which High School did you attend, (if you attended high school in MO)? (If not from Saint Louis, you can opt out of this question)
I graduated from East Saint Louis Sr. High (barely but there is a story behind that.)
The story behind me barely graduating from high school is that my brother was murdered my senior year in high school (on Christmas). It was very challenging because the before my grandmother passed (and the year after my aunt passed) and we all lived in the same house. I can’t remember too much about before it happened or anything immediately after it happened. There is a stigma of African Americans and counseling or maybe we just don’t know the effects of a traumatic situation, nevertheless, I did not get counsel and my grades suffered terribly. I passed with all D’s and F’s (I carry my transcript as proof). I don’t know how I passed.
Which area is the best? Why? (County(North, South, West), City, St. Charles, Chesterfield, East Saint Louis, etc...)
I believe all areas have its goods and bads. I believe North St. Louis has the potential for the greatest comeback. See I don't totally focus on the right now because our situations can change at any moment.
Tell me something about yourself that you would like to share.
Hmmmm, there is so much that I can say but I’ll share the basics.
I am Yashica. Yashica means Success in Hindu. I am a mother of precocious teenage son (which the business is named after). I am a mentor for the Ferguson, Florissant, Riverview schools. I talk to adolescents and youth girls about life skills such as health, hygiene, bullying, and entrepreneurship. All of those topics that I went through as a youth that I had questions about but did not know about until I was an adult. My goal is to empower our children so that they do not have to make the same mistakes that we made (or at least her the consequences and repercussions of our choices). I love having fun with the youth and I find it easy because I get to practice with my son. I am an avid reader and writer, pursuing to publish a book this year. I enjoy living in the moment. So many times we are engulfed in the past or fixated on the future. There is a present (gift) in the present (time). I love life and I love living life. My saying is that “I am enjoying the journey so much that I am in no rush for the destination”.
What is/are the name(s) of your business(es) and describe it/them (please provide a website and email address if possible). Why did you start it/them?
I am the owner of J.J Sing Catering (along with my son, Jay Singliterry. The business is named after him)
Our vision is to create positive, life-changing experiences through smart, delicious, home style cuisine. We look forward to exceeding your expectations our exceptional service and mouth-watering meals. J.J Sing Catering also features:
*Healthy Eating/Nutrition Consultation
*Grocery Shopping Services
*Food Preparation Services
*Healthy Eating/Nutrition Consultation
*Grocery Shopping Services
*Food Preparation Services
As a health educator, I started the catering business to bring awareness to the preventative diseases that mainly African Americans are suffering from such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. What I hope to do in my business is to give other alternatives to eating healthy which can also be tasty.
Im a cook so I also feed those that are not looking to be healthy and would like gourmet cuisines.
J.J Sing Catering also has a entity of speciality desserts.
“Desserts Out The Jar" offers tasty, home style desserts for you to enjoy at home, with family and friends, or on-the-go. Our mission is to create unforgettably sweet experiences with our ever-growing family. “Desserts Out The Jar” looks forward to exceeding your expectations with our exceptional service and mouth-watering presentations.
I never considered myself a baker (still don’t) but I went to Grace Hill Womens Entrepreneurs Business school to pursue more information and resources on developing and marketing my catering business. I have always baked tasty desserts but it wasn’t until one of my friends came from out of town and ask for an individual portion of my desserts that I realized that I was connecting with those individual that wanted to indulge just a little on the desserts that I have. Being a health educator I am totally aware of consuming desserts in moderation. My friend returned back to her home out of town without my desserts and I told God that I never want to turn away another potential customer. That night I laid in my bed at 9pm and ask God how can I make these delectable desserts in smaller portions. God gave me the idea of desserts in mason jars. I got up out of my bed and went to the store, purchased all of the jars and ingredients, took pictures and posted them on Facebook the following morning. Its pretty amazing how facebook remind you of what you were doing a year from the date because it reminded me on Dec 9 , 2014 was my launch date of my dessert jars. From there I have been on Fox 2 news promoting my business 3 times, on the local radio stations, Tony Scott Live, and I have done a plethora of events to promote my product.
My email is J.jsing_catering@yahoo.com
My website is http://www.dessertsoutthejar.
What three words would describe your business(es)? (If you own more than one business please give three words to describe each business).
Professional, Personal (I interact with my customers. I realize that businesses are about relationships), Pleasing (the food and desserts are very pleasing)
If you don't have three words for each business, please describe each business with at least one word.)
The importance of networking:
I have been linked to some individuals that have taken my business to great heights and I will continue to seek out mentorship and networking opportunities that will propel my business to another level. I was introduced to the Ferguson 1000 initiative through a close friend. After going to meeting and seeing all of the African Americans that aspire to be thriving entrepreneurs, it was very enlightening. Through Ferguson 1000 I was able to participate in the Uber pitch which gave small business owners the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to an investor.
I was selected to meet with an investor to pitch my idea and through the investor I was linked to St. Louis Venture Works (an incubator) which allowed me to have office space and use of a commercial kitchen to produce my product to distribute. (I can elaborate on the Uber pitch if need)
Final Word:
I take no credit for my life and what has transpired for me within this year span of time. God is the author, illustrator, editor of my book of life. I would be remised by not acknowledge the source and guide of my journey. I fully understand that gifts are given and we have to be willing to share those gifts with others. Most of the time fear stifles our progress and we don’t live up to the full potential that God has called us to be. I was a teenage mother, almost flunked out of school but I paid the price and I did the work. I went to college, obtained a degree, got a job, and started my own business. I encourage everyone to seek out Gods perfect plan for their lives. It will be the best decision that they would ever make.
“I am enjoying the journey so much that I am in no rush to arrive at the destination.” Yashica
Continue over to AllThatMsJazz.me to see Yashica's Backstory. Thank you again Yashica for being a part of this project.
Continue over to AllThatMsJazz.me to see Yashica's Backstory. Thank you again Yashica for being a part of this project.
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