Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Gates.
Raven, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In college, I worked with victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. My dream back then was to become a lawyer and fight for them. However, I got sick with chronic pain and chronic fatigue, and my doctor’s told me law school was no longer an option. I became sad and depressed, and one day I wanted some cheesecake to cheer me up. Making that cheesecake, I learned baking was relaxing for me, and it made me happy to see my family and friends enjoy my cheesecakes.
Thanks to one of my friends, another business owner Maggie Uribe of Luna Inspirations, she encouraged me to get my baking out there. So I did, and the more I baked, the more baking became another passion. However, I wanted to combine my two passions, and now my dream is to have a bakery that is also a nonprofit that I can hire victims and survivors of domestic violence. On average, it takes a victim/survivor seven times to leave. One of the main reasons they do not leave is because of financial constraints or lack of access to money. I want to create an avenue for them to make money, figure out what their passions are, and encourage them to live their lives the way they want.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. I am still struggling with how to make my dream come true. I struggled with learning how to be an entrepreneur. I have struggled with even getting Made By Yub out there. I struggle to find family and friends to help me throughout the whole process, from baking to vending and just supporting me on this journey. However, these struggles have been excellent learning experiences, and every step of the way, I have met incredible people and other amazing vendors. It has also allowed me to appreciate all the family and friends who have and continue to be there and help me with Made By Yub.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Made By Yub – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I sell sweet treats, but my specialty is cheesecake. I am most proud of the fact that everyone is enjoying my grandma’s cheesecake. The base of my cheesecake recipe is my grandmother’s recipe that she passed down to me. I just took her recipe and elevated it. So I am proud that everyone gets to enjoy something so special in my family. What sets me apart is I am all about the cheat days (eat all the desserts you want), but I am also about empowering victims and survivors to live a life they want at the same time.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
In Orange County, I like how supportive they have been towards Made By Yub. They always encourage me to keep going and to not stop until I reach my dream. However, the thing I dislike is the lack of diversity. Many of the places I vend, there are not many vendors that look like me. I always ask around for resources to assist me in learning how to create my bakery/nonprofit, and most times, no one wants to guide me to support. When I do stumble across a resource, I still do not see anyone who looks like me in those spaces as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.madebyyub.com
- Phone: 562-354-1331
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madebyyub/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeByYub1/
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