The District Chronicles

Issue date: 3/22/09 Section: Business

Some people start their businesses for monetary gain. Others plan to become entrepreneurs for years. Cristina Payne explains that her business was started by accident.

"I made cakes for fun, for friend's birthdays and special occasions for free as a gift. One month I needed to pay my utilities so I brought a cake up to my internship at the time, WHUR, and sold slices and took donations and sold the whole cake for $35." She continued, "I was so stoked and that station is a regular client still."

Payne explained that during that same time she made a sell to rap artist and actor Mos Def. She said, "I made a birthday cake for a family friend Mos Def and he loved it so much saying, 'Cris you made this? You need to be selling these!' next thing you know, his uncle, brother and everyone started talking about wanting cake."

Not long after, she landed Dave Chappelle as a client. Payne explained that Mos Def and his brother vouched for her.

Although she made her first sale in 2003 Payne explained that she didn't get serious until two years ago because the demand grew.

Her clientele includes music celebrities Common, T Kweli, Floetry, Pete Rock, Mary Mary, Anthony Hamilton, Steve Harvey, Morris Chestnut, Emily King, Goapele, Mariah Carey, and Ciara.

She said, "Everybody loves good home cooking while on the road."

Despite the fact that she has had many famous clients Payne explains that she thinks of quitting quite often.

The Howard University graduate said, "I think about quitting all the time because it's tiring and I'm doing this all by myself. See that's the thing with being an entrepreneur: it's all on you. If you don't work, you don't make money and your business is a self reflection of you."

She explains that time management is key. "Having a goal in mind is key, learn when 2 say no and personalizing your customer service is key. What makes u special from the next baker?" she said.

Payne graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Art degree with a concentration in radio on an academic scholarship.

"My service is important because everybody eats cake at least three times a year, and if you're going to celebrate you should have the best, not just some store bought, been sitting in the fridge for a week cake."

She explained that she makes each cake personally and fuses mixtures of flavors of icings and cake with toppings. "I customize each cake to suit each person," she said.

Advice from someone in the industry another is seeking to enter can be seen as vital. To potential entrepreneurs wishing to enter the baking industry Payne said, "You're going to have to give away a lot of samples." She said, "Make sure you love it because baking for a living is grueling at times."

She continued by saying, "Get with local restaurants, clubs, etc who will carry or sell your cake for you.

If you want to experience Cristina's Cakes you can call 202-361-8614, email cristinapayne@yahoo.com, or purchase a slice from Platinum Catering on H and 7th Street in NE Washington, DC.

"If you're good at something, people start to know you for it and it's hard to turn down money to make people's taste buds do jumping jacks," Payne continued, "Just seeing the smiles on people's faces is worth it."

Phone:(202) 361-8614

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