By: Jamie Georges, Community Journalist
What began as a cheesecake order to make an impression for a wedding, birthed a business that has run for 20 years.
Yhanne Battle, owner of Yhanne’s House of Cheesecakes in Clayton offers a wide variety of cheesecakes for their customers from their strawberry shortcake cheesecake to their Snickers cheesecake. They strive to create a slice that would be enjoyable for anyone.
Battle was inspired to start his business after a comment from his girlfriend at the time, who’s now his wife, Tiffany. She tasted the piece of cheesecake he made and in disbelief of the flavors, recommended he start selling them.
“She still didn’t believe me, so I had to take her to the kitchen where all the preparation had taken place,” Battle said. “And I showed her the cheesecake and where I cut it from. And at that moment, she said, ‘This is good enough to sell.’”
From there he began to sell to family and friends as his sweet treats grew in popularity. Together with his wife, Battle would run the business they have today.
Starting a business is not an easy journey. It demands time, research, adjustment, and navigating unpredictability. It requires making tough decisions and creating a well-thought-out strategy to produce from scratch. Battle’s goals for opening his business included a plan and perseverance to face the early challenges that may present itself.
“At the grassroots level, a challenge was finding capable help and coming up with the finances to be able to keep the business up and running,” Battle said. “It was getting the equipment that would make my job easier. I would even say, finding a location at one point. These were some of the hurdles that I faced.”
Within the years they have been open, customers from Northern Jersey and people from southern states have travelled to taste the cheesecake that has gained traction. Through the love of cheesecake, Battle seeks to create and be a part of special moments in the lives of individuals, whether it is giving back to the community or presenting a dessert for special moments.
“I believe God has given me this ability, He has given me this business and the best thing that I can do is represent Him and by doing so, it’s through good customer service, excellent product, and really helping others,” Battle said.
During the month of February, Battle gives away heart shaped cheesecakes to married couples to celebrate a milestone in their lives. For Battle, cheesecake is not just a dessert for others to share but it also represents the initial goal of the business: to bring individuals together. On an annual basis Battle gives away cheesecakes to high school seniors.
“Just remembering how important and special that occasion was for myself and for my wife, we had actually graduated together,” Battle said. “We want to show encouragement by giving away cheesecakes to the seniors and when they come in, just being able to, you know, as far as talk to them and show our appreciation for them.”
Yhanne’s House of Cheesecakes, aims to celebrate special moments and leave a positive impact in people’s lives. As for the legacy of this company, Battle hopes it is remembered for encouraging unity amongst others.
“I’m hoping that it has a very positive legacy that is left, one that leaves an imprint on the community that says, ‘he wasn’t just a business who existed, but it was just a business that cares,” Battle said. “It’s a business that gave back to the community, gave back into the lives of individuals, into marriages, seniors, children, our senior citizens – to people of all walks of life.”
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