By Alamar Alyamani

Alexis Clay is a junior at Maury High school who has done something a lot of high school students can’t. She has started her own business, “A & T’s Sweet Treats,” which sells desserts such as donuts, cakes, and other sweets. 

Clay has a wide variety of hobbies including cooking, baking, reading(especially The Autobiography of Gucci Mane), and cross country. Her favorite subject is her culinary class at Norfolk Technical Center, which Alexis describes as “ what I would think a college course would look like.”

Clay joined a business partnership with Jamiah McClease a year ago after they met at the culinary class, and they’ve been going strong since posting photos of their baked goods on Instagram, taking orders, and making deliveries. 

Clay sat down with me to discuss how she balances  academics, sports, clubs, and even adding on to her busy schedule, a whole business. 

The following has been edited for clarity:

AA: Why did you guys decide to sell treats?

AC: It’s more about prices since it’s more cost efficient and funner to make. Obviously everyone loves sweets so we open up to more people. Also it’s easier to sell treats since they are smaller and less communication is required between customers and employees.

AA: What inspired you to go into this business?

AC: I always knew from a younger age that I wanted to pursue a culinary career because of my mom. My mom really inspired me. She used to cook with me and some nights she would have me make dinner. So I knew from there I was interested. She also later on started buying me more materials for baking to help me. Both my mom and grandma were my inspiration.

AA: How do you balance school, clubs, sports, and a new business?

AC: I’m not going to lie, it is very hard. It’s probably one of the hardest things to do especially with cross country conditioning in the summer and school starting. Also  my partner and I have different sports and clubs, [and that] made it hard to balance our different schedules for meetings. Another hard thing is  going out to get supplies and keeping in touch with our customers because they are our support system. Sometimes we also have rude customers or people who back out at the last minute after we already have gotten the supplies and made the product. It’s really difficult, but as long as you are dedicated you can keep going.

AA: What were the opportunities you have gained?

AC: When we cater to certain people it brings publicity to our business and interviews like this especially [help]. Also, I don’t really have a job so this business helps me [make]money to do things that I love. It’s a great thing since I’m making money through my passion.

AA: Any advice for people who want to do the same thing?

AC: Don’t get discouraged because it definitely takes time to grow a business. Our business isn’t the biggest right now, but it definitely takes time.  Don’t quit.  It’s very important to remember why you started. Because when you think about it, in the long run you can be successful even if it isn’t a big increase in customers or money. Like when we post menus and posts and no one replies[for example], it just takes time. So be grateful for the customers you already have.