Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashanti Long.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in Charlotte, NC up to the age of 12, my mother was a single parent. She did her best but we did not have a lot (lower economy class). She got help from my grandparents with raising me. My grandfather was a very hard worker and was a huge influence on my life. At the age of 12, my mom married my stepfather. Needless to say, this was a disaster. He was an alcoholic and also did drugs. It was a very physically abusive home situation. However, he was a professional chef, so he was always cooking or baking something to feature in the restaurants he worked in. I grew up fast and was the first person in my family to graduate from college. I got married to my wife after college and began working as an Electrical Engineer. I did that for 16 years at multiple companies. My wife and I have a 16year old son that we are very proud of. In 2004 I got into technical sales. That began my current path into the sales arena. I am currently the VP of Strategic account sales for ClearOne.
In February 2020, at the urging of my wife and many friends, I decided to open a home bakery (Ashanti’s Treats). Remember that my now ex-stepfather was a chef. Well, the only positive thing that I can say he taught me was how to bake and cook. This knowledge is what I used to come up with private recipes that help me launch my company. I must say that my spirits were down when Covid-19 hit just one month after I opened my business. However, business has been really good and we see incremental growth. I have always placed my faith in God and not the circumstances around me and this venture has been no different. I am now also coaching JV and Varsity basketball at McKinney Christian Academy (my son’s high school). This does not leave a lot of spare time. I have to plan my days out very carefully and make sure my calendar is up to date. I am looking forward to what the near and distant future holds and will strive to be my best.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing is ever smooth. A few challenges were: 1. Growing up in a poor, abusive household. 2. Having never met my biological father (deceased now). 3. Making many financial mistakes due to not being taught how to manage money.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Ashanti’s Treats is a bakery that specializes in homemade bundt cakes, pies, specialty cookies, and specialty brownies. We are known for the amazing taste and flavors of our desserts. We are told all the time that our desserts are the best people have ever tasted. I am most proud that we are thriving in the midst of a pandemic. The thing that sets us apart is our unique flavors, ingredients, and personal touch.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my professional career is being named VP of Sales for my company. This marked the first African American to hold that position within the company.
Pricing:
- Regular and Gluten Free cakes are $30. Vegan Cakes are $50
- Pies are $20 (cherry pies are $30)
- All Brownies are $30
- All Dozen Cookies are $20. All Half Dozen Cookies are $10
Contact Info:
- Address: 780 Del Carmen Dr. Prosper, TX 75078
- Website: ashantistreats.com
- Phone: 214-770-8480
- Email: ashanti.treats@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashantistreats/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ashantis-Treats-102606601311415
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ashantis-treats-prosper?osq=ashanti%27s+treats
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