peaches patties, A jamaican kitchen
“When working with SBDC, you get another eye and mind to actually see and think what you are doing in another perspective. It is always good to have a listening eye. I recommended SBDC services to anyone that has businesses. It does not have to be food, it can be any businesses.” – Shani Jones, Founder of Peaches Patties
Since 2014, Peaches Patties has been serving fresh and authentic Jamaica cuisine in the Bay Area. It prides itself on baking fresh homemade Jamaican patties and other popular Jamaican dishes as well. According to the founder and Executive Chef Shani Jones, the inspiration behind Peaches Patties is her mother, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, whose nickname is “Peaches”, and is known for making the most delicious homemade Jamaican beef patties. The family matriarch moved to the U.S. and married Jones’ New Orleans-born father. In the Jones household, the cultural collaboration resulted in eclectic dinners: grilled meats with Jamaican flavors served on the same table as Creole stews and gumbos. This spurred Shani’s love of bold spices and culturally rooted recipes. That same passion gave rise to Peaches Patties.
Shani came to seek for SBDC assistance when her business sales plummeted to zero when COVID started. Knowing that she was not going to give up on this business, she was looking for an advisor who can guide her to pivot and go through this challenging time.
SBDC advisor Gwendolyn Wrights shared a lot of COVID relief resources with Shani. She then applied for the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Paycheck Protection Program, and CA Relief Grant. Government funding is critical in sustaining her business during the pandemic.
Prior to COVID, Peach Patties was a catering company whose primary customers were tech companies. COVID caused all the tech company offices shut down and it barely had any business from the catering side. After discussing the possibility of pivoting to individual meals, SBDC advisor got Shani on board with Great Plate Delivered Program, a meal delivery service for seniors. Through the program, Shani was able to keep the business open and retain her employees.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, Shani worked with advisor Gwendolyn to secure a retail location at the SF landmark Ferry Building. The move allows Peaches Patties to grow out of a commissary kitchen and boost retail sales. Shani knows it has been her dream to own a retail location and she is happy to close the deal with the guidance and encouragement from advisor Gwendolyn.
“When working with SBDC, you get another eye and mind to actually see and think what you are doing in another perspective. It is always good to have a listening eye. I recommended SBDC services to anyone that has businesses. It does not have to be food, it can be any businesses.” – Shani Jones, Founder of Peaches Patties
Shani Jones
Owner and founder of Peaches patties
