If you haven’t heard of Sweet Vegan before, there’s no better time to learn about it than now! Sweet Vegan is a vegan chocolate shop where their chocolate is 100% gluten-free, nut-free, preservative-free, soy-free, and white sugar-free, all while tasting the most delicious and without all the heavy calories that come with eating regular chocolate. What couldn’t be better than that?
Of course, the heart of Sweet Vegan wouldn’t be what it is today without the founder and head chef of the shop, Chef Andrea Young. A former architect-turned-vegan chef, Chef Andrea knows a thing or two about running a small business.
Running a business is no small feat, and it always comes with challenges. Chef Andrea finds that being a woman in the business world allows her to be more welcomed on a larger scale. “But also sometimes we’re not taken with the same seriousness and credibility as maybe some of our male counterparts,” she said. For Chef Andrea, being a woman in business means supporting one another. “I love being a woman,” she said. “I love supporting women-owned businesses. And I also believe that we can make a difference through our femininity as well as through the amazing gifts that we share with each other.”
One way that Chef Andrea supports others is through mentoring with the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). A six-week program for high school students, Chef Andrea works closely with students in all aspects of her business, from social media, to entrepreneurship, and to cooking. “We all have a chance to share and develop new ideas together,” she said. “We invite them to be a part of our future.”
Chef Andrea also suggests women in entrepreneurship get involved in programs that are geared towards making successful businesses. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal program that provides several resources for small businesses. Chef Andrea is also a big fan of Columbia University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Program, of which she is a graduate. Goldman Sachs also has a program designed to help improve already established small businesses. Chef Andrea believes in the power of sharing resources to uplift one’s peers. “I think that’s one of the things that separates women,” she said. “We’re very willing to share and give to each other. And I think that’s what enables us to help each other to really make a difference in the world each and every day.”
Networking is also an important factor in the growth of your business. Sweet Vegan is now a regular participant at the Hilton Hotel’s yearly event celebrating the Clinton Global Initiative as a result of maintaining business contacts with the hotel and keeping in contact. These kinds of connections have helped Chef Andrea in branching out Sweet Vegan’s clientele, including award-winning actress Jessica Chastain, whom she has made her specialty flavor Champagne Truffle for.
There are so many things that can be learned from Chef Andrea! She encourages business owners to take inventory of themselves and find their personal strengths and weaknesses. “You want to look and reflect inside,” she said. “You really need to know and be honest with yourself to really know where you can take yourself.” Chef Andrea likes to keep the team at Sweet Vegan supportive and a place where everybody can share their opinions and bring their unique skills to the table. “I think it’s all about the environment of peacefulness, tranquility, and honoring each other as being a team supporter.”
Of course, there’s nothing more important than running a business than setting goals. Chef Andrea hopes to take Sweet Vegan into the bridal world. “I believe that weddings and special occasions enable us to really give back in a creative way and make your special occasion that much more memorable,” she said. Be sure to check out Sweet Vegan on their website here and check XOXO’s profile on Chef Andrea here.
XOXO,
Your Fashion Bestie
Featured image courtesy by Dan Lane Williams
