Community Highlights: Meet Shana Edwards of Shana’s Unique Treasures LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shana Edwards.

Hi Shana, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my business Shana’s Unique Treasures LLC in 2020. It originally was just catering which I started in 2018/2019 after I was completed with culinary school in Pittsburgh, PA. I couldn’t 100% complete my externship because I had become pregnant with my daughter and a lot of locations wouldn’t allow me to work as far along I was, so I ended up just cooking for family and friends parties and making money from that. After about a year of that and a lot of pictures of me decorating my own children and nieces birthday parties started to circulate on social media and people began to ask how much I would charge to cook and decorate their events. This had me thinking maybe I can start a party and event planning business. I looked more into it and when Covid hit I created my name and business, and started creating my blueprint. Once I completed training and had everything planned out, the lockdown for Covid was lifting and I began to do parties, small events and meeting. Now my business is at a up and down pace because I haven’t had the chance to put it out there or the resources I needed. I came up with my name because I have so many things I love to do, which made me look deeper into how to incorporate everything under one name, Shana’s Unique Treasures LLC fits perfectly because I’m Shana and I have many talents which are my Treasures.

Alright, 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?
At the beginning things were smooth but after about 4 or 5 month it began to be really challenging. To me I felt I had no support, I would post my dinner sales and only two or three people would repost, mind you I have supported and helped a lot of people on my social media and have helped a lot of people out when needed. Another struggle was finding the resources, I looked everywhere to see who and what would help me at least get my name out there. I tried websites, think I created at least three. I’ve done flyers, and most importantly social media, things like instagram, facebook, and YouTube. I think my YouTube was probably the most fun and I got some support in that, family gave me advice on what to do and reposted my links to my videos but it still didn’t get as much views as I was expecting, which to to me was ok because I knew I was a growing business owner. Now today still having promotional struggles, I have been posting what I cook and things like that but still feel there is a lack of support but I’m learning that you have to build your baby up and get it out there, can’t always depend on others to do what you would do.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business defines me and my multiple talents, it was created because I’m a jack of all trades as I like to tell people LOL. I started it with catering, then decorating events, then I went into desserts, and the last adventure and most recent one is my young adult support group. All of these are my passions and tells a story about me and who I am, where I came from. The cooking portion is something I’ve always done even as a kid and it created a safe place for me. Then there’s the decorating which I started because I was a single mom of three and couldn’t afford doing big expensive parties for my babies I went to stores and stayed on budget, created decorations and their parties turned out just as nice as the expensive ones. Now the most recent add on young adult support group is another long term one that came from being a teen mom, I always loved the support groups they had for us but there wasn’t many and as time went on I began to feel I needed to help girls like me but the difference was they didn’t have the support team I did. Years later something happened with my oldest son and I went into a depression and started therapy but after a while I seen a lot of kids that played with mine or went to their school and I felt bad for the things they told me so I told myself it’s time to get the group started and I have but I haven’t put it out there like I should it’s kind of something I have been doing on the side behind the scenes. What sets me apart from others is my heart and open mind, I have always been a giving person who love to help others but I also have always been quiet as well which played a huge part in how I move when it comes to a lot of what my plans are. I’m most proud of my name and the meaning behind it. I would love for people to know that my business does not just provide services but also when I get big I would like to offer jobs for those who can’t get one, help people to get their talents out there, also I would like to give people great food, with options and worry free planning for events. Last but not least allow young people to have a place to speak and do something other than be in the streets. I guess you can say give them a safe space.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
So I will say my most biggest supporters have been my mom, sister, dad and my favorite cousin Brianna. I also had some mentors my cousin Erica, her husband Mike (who’s no longer with us), and my uncle David. My best friends Caulette and Erin have been great listening ears and pushed me to get things done. Last but definitely not least my kids Maya, Aaron and Lil Jeff they have been my rocks and my team that has been through trills with me and never gave up. There’s one more person who has been supporting me hard the last two and a half years my man and kids father Jeff. I have a huge support team now more than before my grams, and aunt Trice, aunt DeeDee they will call me at a drop of a hat to have me do the cooking and decorating and tell others about me all the time. My grams invested in my schooling which I am beyond grateful for and still to this day she give me things to help improve my business. I love my support team and appreciate them 100%.

Pricing:

• Pricing is open and based on what you will like.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @shanasuniquetreasues
• Facebook: Shana’s unique treasures
• Youtube: @talkswithsha9609