What do you do now and how did you get where you are?

I am pursuing my mission driven apparel brand full-time, while becoming the first Entrepreneur in Residence at the Werth Institute here at UConn. I was able to achieve success with my company while a student at UConn, using the resources, network, and knowledge found all throughout UConn’s ecosystem. Most important, I never stopped putting ideas into action.

What do you find most fulfilling about your job?

Seeing an idea go from idea to reality. Whether it’s a physical piece of apparel that we’re developing, an inspiring post about well-being, or a new e-commerce strategy we’re implementing, taking something in your head and proving its success in the real world never gets old.

How do you help your organization use business to have a positive impact on the world?

We aim for our business to positively impact anyone who’s engaging with our brand. Whether it’s through our content or purchasing a product, we want to add value to everyone who hears about our business. We’re in the business of helping people live happier and healthier lives. We do this through spreading our mantra of “finding the good”. These three simple words have been proven to have a positive impact on thousands of people’s lives. From spilling your morning coffee, to making it through months of rehabilitation for a mental disease, our community has told us that these three simple words were the reason they were able to get through the day.

Which business tool or resource do you recommend to others, and why?

I recommend “Notion”, it’s a project management and note-taking application. You can use it for personal use or at a business level. It’s user friendly, organized, but also has the ability to be customized as you see fit. I use it for storing brand assets, writing all sorts of copy, calendars, and collecting inspiration via photos and links. It does it all, without being overwhelming.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned so far since graduating?

In my two months after graduating, I’m still adjusting to working full-time and not having any assignments due at 11:59pm on Husky CT. In this short time, I’ve learned that I have new goals for the first time in four years. Throughout college my main goals were graduating, landing a job, and building a brand. It’s interesting to have to re-evaluate goals that have been set for so long, but also exciting to take on new challenges. Every milestone I’ve hit post-graduation has also meant creating a new one, which is sometimes more difficult than achieving the milestone itself. The lesson here is to always be ready for what’s next.

What is the best advice you've ever received?

Done is better than perfect.

What did your time at UConn mean to you?

My time at UConn was invaluable. I gained confidence to pursue my ideas that hadn’t been proven yet, as well as the perseverance and resources to see them through to reality. UConn for me was a place to test ideas and fail, knowing that there were resources available to help me learn from my mistakes was crucial as I began my entrepreneurial journey.

What are you passionate about outside of work?

I’m passionate about the ocean. I try to spend as much time on the water as I do on land. From fishing, to boating, to surfing, you can find me on the water when I’m not working. At Find The Good Brand we talk about finding your “spot”, it’s like a happy place you go to, to practice mindfulness. The ocean is my favorite “spot”.

What's next?

Next, I’ll be heading back to UConn to build resources for student athletes and social media influencers to help grow accessibility in entrepreneurship at UConn. The world of college athletics has been changed forever and I’m excited to be at the forefront of such an impactful movement for NIL.  I will also continue to build Find The Good Brand, when I’m not busy helping students at UConn pursue their passions.

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.