Meet Raven Gates | Bakestress and Owner of Made By Yub

We had the good fortune of connecting with Raven Gates and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Raven, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
2020 was a difficult and challenging year for everyone. For the holidays I started doing Pay it Forward as a way to spread some holiday cheer. Anyone who ordered would receive extra free desserts that I asked that they give (Pay it Forward) to anyone who may need some extra love, cheering up, or to someone who may just love desserts. However, the responses I received were so touching that I decided to keep Pay it Forward for good. It allows me to feel like I am spreading some joy to people during these different times but it also allows the customers to give back at the same time.

What should our readers know about your business?
Made By Yub is all about enjoying homemade sweet treats (on or off your cheat days). I have been in business for a couple of years and am looking forward to growing and expanding my business. I am most excited about reaching my goal of hiring survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. As my business is starting to expand, I have been able to talk to different nonprofits that serve victims and survivors and have started a process of hiring some of their clients. My business is where it is today because I have asked anyone and everyone along the way to help me. I had no idea how to start a business or continue to run one. I reached out to SBDC to help me along the way with resources and ideas on how to move my business along. As much as I have loved my journey, it was not an easy one. It was full of highs and lows, but the highs make it that much more rewarding and give me the push and motivation to keep going. I would want the world to know that I am a resilient woman who refuses to give up on this passion. I will do everything in my power to make sure it thrives because it’s not just me I am helping, but I am striving to continue to be an advocate for victims and survivors.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Sorry I had to do LA/OC Counties

Must-Have Food:
Earle’s
Hug Life Cream
Jay Bird’s Chicken
The Serving Spoon
With Love From Scratch
Any restaurant from Pelican Hill
Gracias Madre
Pizzanista
Sidecar Donuts
Nick’s in Laguna Beach
Chart House
SoHo House
Bar Hopping in Laguna Beach
Visit the Blind Rat

Things to do:
Spa day at Pelican Hill
Shop at the Santiago Alley
Shop at the Spectrum
Shop at Fashion Island
Go to Treasure Island beach
Go to a Lakers and Sparks game
Go to a drive-in movie
Check out The Last Bookstore
Hike Runyon Canyon & Griffith Observatory (Check out the Hollywood Sign)
Check out the Orange County Fair

Places to visit:
Dana Point Harbor
Balboa Island
Catalina Island
Check out The Dunes (I am a huge Issa Rae fan)
Olvera Street
Union Station

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be where I am without my family, especially my grandmother and mom. Without their encouragement, strength, and guidance, I would not be here and would not have even started Made By Yub. I have to always thank Maggie Uribe, for pushing me from taking baking from a hobby to a business. I also would not be here without the help and support of my friends. Lastly, I definitely would not be where I am with Made By Yub without all the amazing customers. They continue to spread the word about my business and have kept me going through this pandemic.

Website: www.madebyyub.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madebyyub/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeByYub1

Image Credits
Adrienne Credo