Meet Latricia Gaston | Homemade Vegan and Gluten-Free Bakery

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

Hi Latricia, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
I have 2 beautiful girls. My oldest name is Kayla Gaston and she is 10 and my youngest is Adoniyah Gaston and she is 2. The most important thing I feel like I have accomplished as a parent is showing my babies that they can work for themselves. Of course, the youngest doesn’t understand when she comes to events, she just sees different people to interact with and a large area to run around and play. My oldest daughter gets to experience the hard work that goes into preparing for an event and the pride you take in your work. Why work for someone else and make them rich when you can do the same for yourself? Don’t get me wrong, I still work my 9-5 but I am putting things in place to be able to walk away soon and this is an exciting but nerve-wracking process for me. I grew up only knowing to work for other people so I am slowly getting this out of my head. I want my daughters to see the opposite and that is making working for yourself the norm and working for others, not the norm.

What should our readers know about your business?
I own a homemade vegan and gluten-free bakery. Right now I do not have a location but I am currently looking. What sets me apart is that with my bakery everything is vegan. Gluten-Free is available upon request but not only is it gluten-free, it is still vegan and delicious. I am most proud of how well the gluten-free and vegan products come out. I was first afraid to tap into that field but I am so glad I did. The taste is amazing!

One main challenge is getting people to trust me with gluten-free products but I understand. Most of my clients are choosing this lifestyle because they have a disease called Celiac. When I looked it up and talk to people about this disease it made me realize why it is important to be extra careful and to take it seriously. If I make a mistake and have cross-contamination or use the wrong ingredient, I can really cause these people to be in pain. I do not want to be known as lying Tricia’s Office nor do I want people to be in pain.

I want the world to know that I take veganism seriously and of course glutenism (not a real word, but it fits). Please do not be scared to try out my products. I set out to produce homemade, sweet, delicious animal-free products so everyone can enjoy them. I am very flexible, honest, and reliable. Give me a call or send me an email and I will make sure to answer your questions honestly. I aim to please your tummy and your pocket!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting the city I would take them to Munch Hut to eat late at night. Munch Hut has the best wings, Philly, and gyro and now they have cold cuts and they are out of this world. My favorite is Buff Chick. That morning we would skip breakfast and head to Mannaweenta for lunch. Mannaweenta has the best Ethiopian food. That night we would go to the Picnic Basket Meal Market and grab some of Jennifer’s and Jeremy’s famous chicken parmesan dish. I am at the age where going out is not for me but a nice movie at any of the Movie theaters in Athens will be perfect.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many people that deserve recognition but there is one that deserves all the glory, The Most High. TMH has placed people in my circle to help me build my brand and make my bakery very successful. Although, It will be hard for me to name everyone, and I do not want to leave anyone out but I have to brag about my biggest supporter, my husband Kodi Gaston. I could talk about this man all day but I will keep it short. He has believed in my dream since day one and is always helping in any way that he can and I truly appreciate him.

Shoutout to UGA’s SBDC, especially Michael Myers. A few co-workers whom I used as test “smarties” brought customers based on word of mouth. The VFW in Athens has been a blessing and the show that is hosted there called Rabbit Box has been a huge platform for me. All of my family members on my side of the family and my husband’s side help are a blessing and are always there for me whether it may mean helping get orders together, monetary miracles, helping with the babies, etc.

I would like to sincerely thank you all for my continued success and it will not go unforgotten. When I make it big, we all are going to shine.

Website: https://www.triciasoffice.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076271317041