Struggling mother uses baking to change her life

Two years ago, Noja Elliot was struggling to make ends meet.

Not only was she far behind on her rent and other bills, but there were times when the single mother could barely find food for her toddler. For her, that was the straw that broke the camel's back.

"I have always had a passion for baking, but it was something that I put on the back burner for many years. I was there praying, and I keep telling God that I cannot pay the bills as I wasn't working at the time. I just wanted a sign; and then a voice spoke to me and said, 'Remember the skill that I gave you'; and I think about it and just decided to go full speed ahead," Elliot said.

In 2022, the May Pen, Clarendon resident launched her small business called Turn Up The Sweet. These days, she said, she does not have enough hands to bake and design.

"I remember just scraping up the little change that I had and purchased the ingredients for a order that I had got. Prior to that, I had started advertising the business by word of mouth until finally I got an order. Someone had wanted a cake for a baby's six-month photo shoot. She was very pleased with it and that boosted my confidence even further, so I made an Instagram page and put up photographs, and the orders just started coming in," she said.

Elliot said that running Turn Up The Sweet can be time-consuming, but the end result is always fulfilling.

"Making a cake isn't just about baking it. There has to be a passion and love behind it, and believe it or not, passion and love are some of the special ingredients; and this is highlighted in even how the cake or pastry taste. Depending on the style, a cake can take hours or even days, as sometimes the customer will want a special decor and I will have to do that by hand," she said.

According to Elliot, a career in baking has caught the attention of the younger generation, and she is more than happy to assist.

"It has been really good and people are always pleased with the taste and look, and this motivates me to go harder. The fruit cake is well sought after. What I have noticed is that young persons are interested in this trade, as I have received several messages from some who want to learn how to bake and design. I am happy to see this as having a trade is superb, and this is one that you can do when you are well past retirement age," Elliot said.