Meet SHURINA JONES | Pastry Chef

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

Hi SHURINA, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wanted to share my vegan recipes with others, particularly those that had dietary restrictions due to health issues. Many of the desserts I’d encountered were bland, or not healthy. I wanted to provide desserts that were healthier and delicious.. So my daughter Christina and I developed The Naked Bar.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
This company was started because I wanted to help my daughter with her transition into plant-based eating as a result of an auto-immune disease.. She felt my desserts were so good that we should start a business and share them. We started out only offering raw vegan desserts. That is still our primary focus. Raw desserts are the healthiest option. Over time, we discovered more people were choosing to eat a vegan diet. We started offering other vegan desserts that weren’t raw, but still choosing healthier options with ingredients when possible.

I am a serial entrepreneur. My daughter is becoming one as well. Although she’s young, she has followed in my footsteps of pursuing her passion. This is her second business venture. This business is very different for both of us because it’s personal. Her health was impacted as a kid. Through lifestyle and dietary changes, she has been able to improve her health. We want to share her story and help others to do the same.

There is a lot to learn when starting a business. You must learn industry trends. Understanding the use of SEO, social media, and marketing is of the upmost importance. We didn’t know a lot and have had many challenges along the way. It’s important to develop a business plan, even if it’s a one page plan. Set goals, and review regularly to ensure you’re meeting them.

I want the world to know that The Naked Bar is for everyone. You don’t have to be plant-based or vegan to enjoy our desserts. We offer something for everyone. However, if you have special dietary needs, we are here to help. Our company started due to our co-owner, Christina’s need for plant-based foods. We understand the struggle.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love to eat lol! We’d visit Wadada in the West End for smoothies and healthy snacks. You can also grab a raw donut by The Naked Bar! Lemon is my favorite. Ponce City Market is another favorite place to go. There’s so much to see and do. Plus they have great food as well. Piedmont park is great for sunshine and people watching. Botanical Gardens is another fun spot and adjacent to the park. As a musician, I enjoy live music and shows. I’d definitely find out what shows are in town.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband has been our biggest cheerleader. He encourages and supports us in building our brand. You’ll see him at most events lending a hand.

Website: www.TheNakedBarATL.com

Instagram: @thenakedbaratl

Facebook: @thenakedbaratl