Amanda Brooks (Contributor)

In the midst of a global pandemic that shuttered businesses and left millions jobless, Andrienne Reid, who grew up in the small community of Peckham, Clarendon, dared to dream and embarked on a journey that would not only satisfy sweet cravings but also inspire resilience and creativity. 

With a vision fueled by passion and a relentless drive, she ventured into entrepreneurship, defying the odds and carving a path toward the success of her cake shop, Chrissy’s Sweet Treats, in 2021.

 That same year, Reid started a corporate job but was uncomfortable with the environment and knew what she had to do next. From an early age, she watched and sometimes helped her mother make delicious pastry items such as cakes and cookies for the family. Growing up, Reid developed a love for baking, but she never pursued it.”I always knew I wanted to go into the world of baking; it was just a matter of when,” Reid said.

 Reid saw an opportunity amidst the chaos. At a time when citizens were told to stay inside, armed with determination, her mask, and an unwavering belief in her craft, Reid’s main goal was to turn her passion into a business venture, igniting a spark of hope in the face of despair. The Institute of JAR  is where Reid went to school for a two-month course and got her certification in 2021. Chrissy’s Sweet Treats now operates online but is based in Kingston, Jamaica.

Launching a business during a global crisis was no easy feat. From navigating supply chain disruptions to adhering to health and safety regulations, Reid encountered numerous obstacles along the way. The industry is growing, but the accessibility to ingredients, decorations, and equipment is scarce. “One of my biggest challenges when starting my business, and even now, is the lack of resources,”  said Reid. She states that finding everything in one place is very hard, and the costs are sometimes overbearing. It was the satisfaction of baking her three-year-old daughter’s first cake for a class party and seeing how the children craved more that gave her the extra push she needed to forge ahead. “Kids are tough critics, and people will tell you, ‘if a child likes it, then it is good,” said Reid. 

When face-to-face connections were few, Reid resorted to digital channels to connect with her audience, from producing captivating content on social media to providing online ordering and delivery services in all 14 parishes in Jamaica. She also used social media as a learning tool. “Thanks to social media, you can gain insight into what is happening in different countries/cultures. There are also cooking channels that you can subscribe to that provide you with some amount of guidance,” said Reid. This keeps her innovative as she incorporates exotic fruits and ingredients for her cakes to have an unforgettable taste and texture.

In the midst of a global pandemic that shuttered businesses and left millions jobless, Andrienne Reid, who grew up in the small community of Peckham, Clarendon, dared to dream and embarked on a journey that would not only satisfy sweet cravings but also inspire resilience and creativity. 

With a vision fueled by passion and a relentless drive, she ventured into entrepreneurship, defying the odds and carving a path toward the success of her cake shop, Chrissy’s Sweet Treats, in 2021.

That same year, Reid started a corporate job but was uncomfortable with the environment and knew what she had to do next. From an early age, she watched and sometimes helped her mother make delicious pastry items such as cakes and cookies for the family. Growing up, Reid developed a love for baking, but she never pursued it.”I always knew I wanted to go into the world of baking; it was just a matter of when,” Reid said.

 Reid saw an opportunity amidst the chaos. At a time when citizens were told to stay inside, armed with determination, her mask, and an unwavering belief in her craft, Reid’s main goal was to turn her passion into a business venture, igniting a spark of hope in the face of despair. The Institute of JAR  is where Reid went to school for a two-month course and got her certification in 2021. Chrissy’s Sweet Treats now operates online but is based in Kingston, Jamaica.

Launching a business during a global crisis was no easy feat. From navigating supply chain disruptions to adhering to health and safety regulations, Reid encountered numerous obstacles along the way. The industry is growing, but the accessibility to ingredients, decorations, and equipment is scarce. “One of my biggest challenges when starting my business, and even now, is the lack of resources,”  said Reid. She states that finding everything in one place is very hard, and the costs are sometimes overbearing. It was the satisfaction of baking her three-year-old daughter’s first cake for a class party and seeing how the children craved more that gave her the extra push she needed to forge ahead. “Kids are tough critics, and people will tell you, ‘if a child likes it, then it is good,” said Reid. 

When face-to-face connections were few, Reid resorted to digital channels to connect with her audience, from producing captivating content on social media to providing online ordering and delivery services in all 14 parishes in Jamaica. She also used social media as a learning tool. “Thanks to social media, you can gain insight into what is happening in different countries/cultures. There are also cooking channels that you can subscribe to that provide you with some amount of guidance,” said Reid. This keeps her innovative as she incorporates exotic fruits and ingredients for her cakes to have an unforgettable taste and texture.