Meet Yazzi Shabazz | Plant Based Baker & Young Entreprenuer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yazzi Shabazz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yazzi, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
Before I started Yazzi Cakes in 2017 at 16-year-old, there were many careers I wanted to pursue like nursing, science, and music. Since then, I have found that what I most enjoy can become a successful career for me. I have always had a passion for baking. Ever since I was allowed to use the oven, I loved baking brownies and cookies. As I grew older and gained more experience, my passion grew for baking cupcakes and cakes for my family. Transitioning to a Plant-Based lifestyle in 2016, I reconstructed my recipes to fit my new diet. My family encouraged me to share my desserts and I began to see potential in starting my own vegan dessert business. I grew up in a creative family. Both of my parents can cook and all of my siblings are artists in some form or another. I love to bake and create edible art and making a career out of my passion is one of my life goals. Investing my time into myself to create something that brings joy to someone else is a win-win situation for me.

Yazzi Cakes is my way of positively serving the community and becoming self-made. I am here to share my gift of baking and to provide those with special diets and allergies a healthier way to enjoy their favorite desserts. 

Other than deciding to work for myself, I believe the single most important decision I made that contributed to my success was to look past my fears and uncertainty and putting full faith in myself and my skills. The decision to take that unorthodox path and put my focus and energy into myself to make my own way in the world. The most important factor behind the success of my business is my drive to keep going even when I don’t see the results I want. My confidence in myself and my business. I continue to go out and grow my brand because I know what I am offering is much needed and positively effects the people and the planet.

For me, my “work” is my life. My business is always on my mind. I do plan so that there’s time for my other responsibilities, such as college classes and family. I take advantage of those early mornings to get ahead on my tasks for the day and make sure to take at least one day off to recharge.

One of my favorite quote’s is “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” – Kurt Cobain. To me it means don’t wait too long for opportunities to come your way. Go out and find them. There are many ways to become who you want and it’s up to you to take action and make your dreams happen.

I want to leave a legacy of entrepreneurship and self-fulfillment. I want other young women and men to be inspired by my story and make their own path for their success. I want people to remember my persistence and joy for my work. I want them to remember how passionate I am about changing the health of the communities and people around me. I want to be remembered as that sweet lady who made bomb cakes and served smiles wherever she went.
Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
As a child, I loved all types of art, but baking came naturally. I believe it was inherited. My great grandmother baked cakes, pies, and other sweets for her family and sometimes her neighborhood. My mother had the same gift, and it was passed down to me. I began baking as soon as I was allowed in the kitchen. As my family transitioned to a plant-based lifestyle, I converted the family recipes to fit our new diet. As I perfected the recipes my family encouraged me to share my desserts with others. They saw my potential before I did. Now AS a 20-year-old college student, I am still figuring out my life path, but I know this business is definitely something I will keep building upon.

Yazzi Cakes started out with just a few flavors of cupcakes. Not really knowing what to do, I began selling at local markets and was lucky enough to have my baked goods showcased in a local health bar in Oak Cliff for a little while. As I gained more experience and knowledge, I expanded to bake all kinds of flavors and cakes, as well as many other sweets. My cupcakes are currently being sold in Ann’s Health Food Store. Throughout the years I have gained more experience in this business and have grown steadily. Throughout the years, I have learned a few things on properly running a business, including having strong communication and engaging marketing skill. Also, learning how to market myself has helped me gain customers and grow my business. Since my beginnings in 2017, I have met so many amazing people and created some beautiful baking memories. I’m looking forward to how Yazzi Cakes will bring happiness to someone else’s life.

My main mission for Yazzi Cakes is to make a healthier lifestyle accessible to everyone through my plant-based desserts. I strive to allow everyone, especially those with allergies, the opportunity to enjoy their favorite desserts. I hope to encourage a positive change in people’s lives. It is worth all the hard work and time to see the joy my products bring to others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My first thought would be Deep Ellum. It is such a fun place to explore, with many shops and places to eat. I would also make sure they got to experience the Arts District in Dallas. Downtown Dallas is always a fun place to explore with some historical spots to check out.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would to dedicate my Shoutout to my mother, Angela Maria. Not only is she the most supportive person I know, but she is also working to help others in her own way. She has guided me throughout my business journey and I can honestly say I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without her encouragement and support. Both my parents and my siblings have been there to support and help me since the beginning. It is with their love I can continue along this path with confidence.

Website: https://yazzicakes.com/

Instagram: @officialyazzi_cakes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialyazzicakes

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/yazzi-cakes-dallas

Image Credits
Dezeray Bell