LAEDA: Entrepreneurship is a very challenging path to take with many different directions. What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?

I honestly had no desire to become an entrepreneur! I was comfortable working my 7:30am- 3:30pm job. My husband, Yhanne, has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. His enthusiasm to become a business owner and his amazing gift to make an amazing cheesecake opened my eyes to the possibilities!

LAEDA: Why did you choose your industry?

It was impossible not to choose this industry…Have you tried our cheesecakes!?

LAEDA: Tell me about your experience while attending LAEDA’s Training Program. What has the major takeaways been from the program? Have you any AH-ha moments! How did the program help you?

LAEDA’S  Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) was VERY informative! A lot of basic information to jump start your business and a lot of behind-the-scenes information that many entrepreneurs do not know. My “Ah-ha” moment was you couldn’t simply say I want to start a business and just open the door. You MUST be ready for the hard work, research, marketing, consistency, determination… And did I say HARD WORK! The program gave me the confidence & understanding that I needed to open & maintain the business. This FREE information given by the representatives was priceless.

LAEDA: Tell me about your journey on the road to business start-up. What have been some of the challenges, successes, and failures?

Our journey to building this business has had its ups & downs, but we never gave up. There were plenty of times we thought about it but then had to talk about it and pray about it. Then, we had to talk and pray some more for comfort and guidance. Our journey has truly been a blessing.

I remember some of our challenges happened in the beginning. Yhanne and I were newlyweds with a blended familythat included sons who were 14, 12, and 8. We both had full-time jobs while raising our 3 sons who were very active in school/sports. The balancing of time between family, work, and a new business was very tiresome…. Daily/Monthly planning had to be done and we were baking at our home. Since we outgrew that space in no time, we had to search and find an affordable space immediately. Our first location to bake at was at the VFW. They graciously allowed us to use their kitchen space. That was the beginning of us becoming official! Then the ARC of Gloucester County in Washington Township allowed us to use their bakery after business hours and on the weekend. That gave us the opportunity to work our full-time jobs and run the business.

I remember walking into the Berlin Farmer’s Market (NJ) and the owners welcomed us without even trying our product! They fell in love with our website, shook hands, and Yhanne’s House of Cheesecakes opened in July 2011. There was a retail building in Clayton that was available to lease. When we inquired about it, we were told it had already been leased out. I remember telling my husband “If it is meant for us it will become available again”. Within a few months, it became available! My hands were shaking from excitement when I called my husband. Yhanne called the landlord, told him our vision, and signed the contract…Yhanne’s House of Cheesecakes now had 2 establishments in one year!

The success is watching the growth each year. The success is reading and hearing the feedback that we receive on a daily basis. That is what keeps us motivated to keep going. Each day we were/are amazed and grateful for our customers and sales. Most of the equipment we purchased were from auctions or businesses that were retiring/closing so we saved a lot of money.

I can say one of our major failures was not creating or building a strong foundation as husband and wife to run a business. There was breakdown in communication and in organization plenty of times! This journey has not been perfect by any means, but God brought us through.

LAEDA: Could you tell me a little about where your business is today?

In September 2019, we hired Creative Content on Demand (CCOD). They took our social media platform to another level. In 2020 Yhanne’s House of Cheesecakes went VIRAL during the COVID-19 pandemic! One day I was on Facebook, and I was receiving many requests to post our business on their Black-owned page. There were so many, but I chose one…Black Owned Businesses NJ. On Tuesday, July 8 (Blackout Day), customers kept coming in the door! It was unbelievable! I mean it would not stop! I kept saying, “What is going on?” I looked on Facebook and realized we had gone viral reaching over 40k people! There was a line down the sidewalk and down the street every day. We were very excited and grateful, but we knew we had elevated to another level, and we had to make some changes immediately!

LAEDA: Do you have any advice for future (or existing) entrepreneurs?

Our advice to future (or existing) entrepreneurs would be:

1. Maintain EXCELLENT customer service at all times because You NEVER know who is watching you! Whether or not you’re at your place of business, you must remain consistent

2. Practice time management and balance your time wisely

3. Do not allow your business to consume you… Sometimes it is okay to live in the moment

4. Enjoy the highs, learn from the lows, and always remain resilient

5. ATTEND LAEDA! Take advantage of any opportunity to educate yourself. Gain all of the knowledge you can for success within you and your business.

About Yhanne’s House of Cheesecakes:

Yhanne’s House of Cheesecakes is a local family-owned cheesecake business since 2011 that offers over 50 flavors of cheesecakes ranging from Strawberry Shortcake, Sweet Potato, Banana Pudding to Sugar-Free and Gluten-Free Cheesecakes. Each cheesecake is handmade with care and love as if they were making it for themselves.

Owners, Yhanne and Tiffany Battle, treat their customers as if they are guests in their home and are part of their big family. Their goal is to become the standard in the industry and provide a cheesecake that’s suitable for everyone’s palette.

During the pandemic, many businesses experienced a change in their business either closing or growing. Prior to the pandemic, they began investing in their social media marketing through Creative Content OnDemand, the recognition of Juneteeth holiday in the Tri-State Area, Black-Out Tuesday (July 7th), and joining the Black-Owned Businesses Facebook Group Page and the loyal customers and followers “Liking & Sharing” Yhanne’s House of Cheesecakes Facebook page, their cheesecake business has grown tremendously during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.

Come and experience The Taste of Love in Every Bite at Yhanne’s House of Cheesecake on 835 N. Delsea Drive in Clayton, New Jersey, and open from 9 AM – 6 PM from Tuesday – Saturday. A variety of large cheesecakes are available daily and allow 7-10 days for pre-orders.

Owners, Yhanne, and Tiffany Battle will make themselves available for interviews. They can be reached at 856-881-0403.

ABOUT YHANNE & TIFFANY BATTLE:

It’s the story of a man attempting to make an impression on a woman he dearly loves. Seeking to create the perfect atmosphere where a proposal can be made, dinner and dessert are carefully prepared. Reflecting on that moment, the meal didn’t create the buzz as hoped, however, the dessert made a stir.

In fact, it became the focus of the occasion. It was a cheesecake whose roots came from an old recipe found years earlier. Additional ingredients were added to the base of the recipe to enhance the texture and flavor while eliminating others. Experiment after experiment had taken place until discovering the perfect balance.

After being plated and served, Tiffany questioned, ”Where did you get this cheesecake?” “I baked it myself,” replied Yhanne. In total disbelief of his answer, he was forced to win her persuasion by leading her into his kitchen where all the preparation had taken place.

Finally, at the height of the moment, he asked her hand in marriage. On that day, the man not only gained a new business venture, but also a wife. They will be celebrating their wedding anniversary on August 2, 2021.

Yhanne and Tiffany Battle can be reached at their website
www.houseofcheesecakes.net or Readers can follow them on their Social media pages:

Facebook (/yhanneshouseofcheesecakes)

Instagram (@yhoc)

Twitter (@yhoc1)

The Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) is a free, nine-week business skills training course offered in Camden, NJ in the Spring and Fall each year. Qualified entrepreneurs receive 72+ hours of training from industry professionals, business planning, and continued technical assistance.