Cora’s Custom Creations

by Dakota Parks

BLACK OWNED BUSINESS

eteran, military spouse, full-time college stuV

dent, business owner, entrepreneur, children’s church teacher—these are just some of the words used to describe

Coralin Allen. She served five years of active duty in the Navy as a support equipment technician and is currently a Navy Reservist. In September, Allen graduates with her degree in public health and plans to continue with another program. A combination of serendipity, ingenuity and a creative mindset resulted in starting her business, Cora’s Custom Creations in 2017.

When a friend asked her to bake a cake for a proposal, Allen challenged herself to bake her first two-tier cake. Later, when a friend needed an event catered and decorated, she challenged herself to decorating, cooking and catering an event for 50+ people. As word of mouth spread, Allen’s business grew from baking cakes to homemade relaxation treats like candles, bath bombs and body washes to full-service mobile event planning.

“I never started with a business plan. It just grew from people dropping my name when they heard someone in need of a cake, kid’s party decorations, catering or wedding planning,” Allen said. “I want to be a one-stop shop that can provide everything someone could need for an event.”

Allen explained that she had a very supportive friend help her with events when she and her husband were stationed in Virginia, but since they moved to Pensacola last September, it’s been a one-woman show. She does all of the catering, baking,

Cora Allen, owner and founder of Cora’s Custom Creations

decorating, creating customized gifts and planning entire events by herself.

“A lot of the times people don't understand that supporting you and your business doesn't always to have to be purchasing something from you,” Allen said. “Friends supported me by recommending me to other friends. My mother was always in the background cheering me on. I felt support from

People don't understand that supporting you and your business doesn't always to have “ to be purchasing something from you."

my husband for the fact that a lot of times I was running up the light bill and I wasn't the one paying the bill. Or, I would cater a big event and leave the house a mess and come home to see that he's cleaned up after me.”

Allen is constantly adding to her business repertoire. Whenever someone asks for something new that she has never done before, she sets out to challenge herself to doing it. Other times, she spots a problem and finds a solution.

“My favorite part of my job is seeing the look on a client’s face when they finally receive something from me—be it a cake delivery or walking into their wedding venue.” Allen said.

When Allen first got started in the Pensacola area, she noticed that military spouses were always having to cancel date nights or dinners out with friends because they couldn’t find a babysitter. That’s when she created date-night-in.

“I started offering my service to those who couldn't necessarily leave home for date night. I come to them as a private chef and cook a fourcourse meal that includes a bottle of wine, appetizer, a soup or salad, an entree and dessert” Allen explained. “The very first night I did it, I knew I would continue offering the service. The couple needed to pause to check on the children, the mother was breast feeding and I realized that people can’t relax like this on a regular date night. They’re constantly checking their phone at dinner for the babysitter or the wife is having to go pump in a public restroom.”

Date-night-in is also a solution for couples wanting to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries during COVID-19 without going to a crowded restaurant. Allen recently met a couple at a park downtown Pensacola and served them a private meal outdoors. She explained that food orders have picked up during the pandemic and that people have also requested children’s party decorations to celebrate at home safely with just their family.

As Allen’s business continues to grow, adapt and change, she will grow with it. She plans to get her culinary certification soon. She is also researching recreational therapy programs to merge her passions and create disability-friendly and focused events. To find out more about all of the events and services Allen provides, visit corascustomcreations.com.

BLACK OWNED

BUSINESS ANYDAY DJ Ramsey Coates, a The Dancer Connection is a group of passionate dancers in the Panhandle dedicated to maintaining and upholding the Latino dance community and hosting or promoting quality Latino dance events. The group promotes a variety of events from dance instruction in salsa, bachata, and kizomba to the Latin nights on Wednesdays at Seville Quarter and on Friday at Bric à Brac in Destin. While COVID-19 has suspended a majority of events in town, stay tuned for future events hosted or promoted by The Dancer Connection by following them on social media @DancerConnection.

Tokesia Jackson started her business Strike A Selfie Open-Air Photo Booth in 2017 to get a head start on saving for her daughter’s college expenses, as well as teaching her about work ethic and communication. As the name implies, the photo booth is sleek and modern, instantly printing or emailing photos and resembles nothing of the small, enclosed photo booths of the past. Along with props, they also have a handheld selfie camera that looks like a chic mirror. The service is available to book 2-3 weeks in advance for weddings, parties of any occasion, corporate events, charity events and pop up events. To learn more, visit strikeaselfiephotobooth.com.

Pensacola local, proud father and sports enthusiast is the founder of AnyDay DJ and has been a DJ since 1999. ThaRam-Z or DJ Ram-Z started DJing weddings in 2009. You may have heard him on the local Podcast “We Are Wed Talks,” where he discusses the intricacies of the wedding industry and interviews special guest vendors to educate others. AnyDay DJ is available to provide energetic, dancecentered music at a variety of events including weddings, reunions, anniversaries, parties and clubs. To book service visit anydaydj.com or email booking@

THE DANCER CONNECTION

STRIKE A SELFIE OPENAIR PHOTO BOOTH LLC

anydaydj.com.

BLACK OWNED

BUSINESS