Tell us about ZaveryCakes. How did the idea come about?

ZaveryCakes is a pop culture bakeware brand, providing a connection to pop culture through our detailed character food molds designed to look exactly like your favorite pop culture icon, sports teams, tv show, and movie character. Providing tangible ways to bring your fandom to your kitchen table. Our mission is to turn boring food into something you actually love. Our molds are easy to use, no mess, and give a new meaning to being able to play with your food. Our differentiation is the versatility of our food molds, you can make pancakes, eggs, pizzas, mini cakes, brownies, bread and so much more. We know that everyone is a fan of something, and we have something for everyone.

How did you become interested in entrepreneurship?

I have always considered myself an entrepreneur. As an athlete the minute I picked up a basketball and decided this is what I wanted to do I started creating a brand and unbeknownst became an entrepreneur. That brand was me, so all of the accolades I received in Highschool, becoming a McDonald All-American, and going to UConn was me being an entrepreneur building out my brand and forming a community of invested people around that brand. In this NIL era, student-athletes have the ability to monetize their brand and leverage their platform at the collegiate level. All of the hard work that athletes put into what they love to do and leveraging a personal brand that companies want to partner with makes these athletes entrepreneurs.

How did your experience as a member of the National Championship-winning UConn Women’s Basketball team prepare you for a career in entrepreneurship?

I am a true believer in how you do one thing is how you do everything. From a young age, I understood the importance of hard work, discipline, and consistency especially when no one is watching. Those are the moments when champions are made. I continue to use that same mentality in business. The success I’ve had with my company ZaveryCakes can be traced to that mentality that I carry with me every day.

With NIL initiatives taking off, what advice do you have for student-athletes in this new era of business opportunities?

In this new era of NIL initiatives, I would tell student-athletes to take full advantage of this opportunity. The best time to build a brand or start a business is always now. It takes time to build out and grow a business but as student-athletes, you have the platform and leverage to build a large community and following very quickly around your brand or business.

What role do you see former Husky athletes and entrepreneurs like yourself and resources like the Werth Institute having in the NIL era?

In this NIL era, the role of former Husky athletes and entrepreneurs and the resources like the Werth Institute can demystify the concepts of what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Teaching and leading this new generation of student-athletes to show them that it is not only doable but beneficial for them to merge their platforms of student-athletes and entrepreneurship to secure and build a better future for themselves.

Can you describe a time you took a risk? Did it pay off? If not, what lesson did you learn?

The biggest risk I have ever taken was becoming an entrepreneur and deciding to start ZaveryCakes and that decision has been amazingly paying itself off ever since I trusted myself to take that step. When I started, I did not know anything about business, manufacturing, wholesale, or any of the other lessons that I had to learn along the way. Through that discipline, hard work, consistency, and most importantly through the belief that I have in myself, I‘ve learned that I can do anything, and I am just getting starting.

Describe a professional moment you are most proud of, and why?

I am blessed that I have had so many amazing professional moments in my life. Whether that was during my professional career as a basketball player where I had the opportunity to play in the WNBA, Overseas, and for the Jamaican Olympic basketball team, or as the CEO & founder of ZaveryCakes where we have accomplished so much in such a short period of time. From our amazing licensing partnerships to our retail partnerships, to our expanding product line, and the accomplishment of graduating from the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women program.

The moment I am most proud of was our successful Kickstarter campaign. Before that moment I decided to start a company outside of sports or anything that I have previously known. I created our first three original characters from my own imagination and put them out in the world to see if it was even something the market wanted. ZaveryCakes surpassed its goal and we haven't looked back ever since.

Which business tool or resource do you recommend for entrepreneurs, and why?

For entrepreneurs with new businesses, my advice is to keep your overhead as low as possible while surrounding yourself with a good team. No one person can be the best at or do everything. Hiring experts in fields that you are not an expert in, will allow you to grow faster and accomplish more. The best way to do this when starting out is to hire freelancers. There are many sites that allow you to do this while keeping your cost low.

What’s your favorite UConn memory?

I have had some amazing memories at UConn. Some great memories were playing in front of the amazing crowd at Gampel, breaking the 89-0 record, winning two national championships, and visiting President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama at the white house. My favorite UConn memory though was graduating. I was the first person in my family to graduate from college and fulfilling a goal I set for myself when I was younger was a very special moment and memory for me.

What are you passionate about outside of work?

My passion is continuously learning and trying new experiences and endeavors. I recently picked up golfing, I love it and the goal is to become really good at it. Becoming a wine connoisseur is a goal of mine, I am currently learning the process of how wine is made, and I hope to open my own vineyard one day. I am most passionate about my son, with any free time that I have, I spend it with him. There is no job in the world more important to me than being the best mom that I can be. Going through this process and creating a legacy for him is everything.

To explore the ZaveryCakes collection and order online, visit their website here.