Three sisters, Lyrica, Zaira, and Nadira, ages 13, 12, and 9 respectively, are the CEOs and founders of a plant-based eatery in Tallahassee, Florida called Bourne Brilliant. The young girls have been making baked goods, fresh fruit juices, and preserves for over 5 years now and they are stepping up to achieve even more.
Lyrica, the eldest of the three, started baking bread and other goodies to give to the community for free since she was 6-years old. To be able to continue doing charity, she came up with the business idea and pitched it to her parents, Jahlion and Syrheda La Shae Leo.
Since then, the trio created their own recipes and established the Bourne Brilliant company with the support of their parents and Chef Shacafrica Simmons. They sold cookies, cupcakes, bread, herbal teas, fruit juices, and preserves at local farmers’ markets, festivals, and events.
The three sisters are all responsible for each of their tasks to successfully operate the business. Lyrica, who has since loved cooking, serves as the head chef. Zaira, who enjoys math, helps work on inventory and finances. Nadira is the taste tester and she also helps organize the shop, making sure they have enough stocks.
Their new restaurant, aside from their baked goods, also serves hot dishes such as vegan barbecue drumsticks, mac and cheese, and many more from their rotating menu every Saturday. They were hopeful that it would be a success despite the pandemic. They currently only allow five customers in the shop at a time and they should be wearing masks.
“We felt positive about the decision to open at this time,” La Shae Leo told the Tallahassee Democrat. “We traveled in South Carolina and Georgia this summer and looked at small businesses and retail to see what they were doing and what was working for them. We feel good about our safety practices.”
This article was originally published by BlackBusiness.com.
