Conversations with Erickson Billy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erickson Billy.

Hi Erickson, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Blue Naadą́ą́’ Sweets, LLC officially started on September 9, 2020. Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, my small business took off. It gained the support of locals, the Urban Native American community, other Indigenous Owned Businesses, the Indigenous Communities of Arizona, and our neighboring states. “Naadą́ą́'” is the Navajo term for corn. Hence my business name, in translation, is “Blue Corn Sweets.”

Corn is a respected food element to the Diné (Navajo) People. At Blue Naadą́ą́’ Sweets, I specialize in blue corn delicacies with a modern touch of sweetness. Initially, the only product offered was the Blue Corn Cupcake, made from scratch and topped with a homemade whipped topping. Today, and within the last two and a half years, I’ve expanded to offer many more products from one of the staple items, “The Original Blue Corn Cookie,” with each cookie full of Pine Nuts, also known as Pinons. I also provide at-home mixes from the Blue Corn Cupcake Mix, Blue Corn Cookie Mix, and the Blue Corn Pancake Mix. Another popular item at local markets is the Iced Navajo Tea served during the hot Summer and hot Navajo Tea during the Winter. All products are equally popular and quickly sell out in my markets.

In Navajo philosophy and other Native American communities, we share a commonality of embracing ‘Balance and Harmony.’ My pastries have the right amount of balance, so perfect it has my customers returning for more. Blue Naadą́ą́’ Sweets likes to emphasize and is also the business slogan, “The Sweet Taste of Home.” My business represents the tradition in our culture and homes and is an important component of the Diné People. Not only just corn, but of course, some unique food and delicacies continue to bring families together; that distinctive scent or taste reminds us of who we are and where we come from. I like to think that the best memories come from your time around the dinner table with the special people in your lives. There’s no better way to experience Blue Naadą́ą́’ Sweets than with family and friends.

In the last couple of years, Blue Naadą́ą́’ Sweets has expanded tremendously. As Blue Naadą́ą́’ Sweets approaches its third anniversary, the business continues to thrive as a one-person team; from time to time, I get support and help from family and close friends, but the support and customer base has grown tremendously over the years. From small-town living, this Reservation kid from the Navajo Nation moved to the big city for continued education thirteen years ago. My name is Erickson Billy, and I am the owner and operator of Blue Naadą́ą́’ Sweets. I have been in business for two years and nine months. Currently, I have been a Valley resident for the last thirteen years. I am originally from Northern Arizona, on the Navajo Reservation, in a small town called Sawmill, Arizona. My employment experience is diverse, from the restaurant industry to being a Certified Dental Assistant. I started my business while working with the Department of Child Safety. At one point, I was even a Certified Zumba Instructor. I’ve worked in the Customer Service field since I was 14 years old. Blue Naadą́ą́’ Sweets thrives on excellence, Customer Service, and Quality Products. I hold a degree in Healthcare Administration, but oddly I’ve gone in a completely different direction. I’m currently operating Blue Naadą́ą́’ Sweets full-time. I love what I do!

What started as a recipe in a family cookbook turned into a well-respected small business. For Christmas 2020, I was working on a small cookbook to give to my family and close friends. To this day, that cookbook is still on hold. I have yet to have the time to complete that project due to the consistent business flow. I want to expand my business with a storefront or a warehouse for wholesale production. I am also hoping to expand Blue Naadą́ą́’ Sweets into a catering and event planning service. I am also experimenting and working on a scented candle line. Although I never went to school for Business Management, I continue to learn more every day. Everything has been a learning process. I’m the owner, the baker; I had to learn how to be a graphic designer. I manage my own marketing, networking, and accounting for my business.

You can find Blue Naadą́ą́’ Sweets on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok @BlueNaadaaSweets. I enjoy going LIVE on Social Media for discussions, Q&As, and Cooking Demonstrations. I also provided Food Demonstrations and Workshops locally for private entities and nonprofit organizations via Zoom or in person. My small business started during the pandemic on September 9, 2020, and since then, Blue Naadą́ą́’ Sweets has performed very well. The business has been consistent with nothing but raving reviews. The business started and catered to the Native American community but quickly expanded to everyone. This has been a humbling experience.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In the last two and a half years, it’s been smooth sailing, all thanks to the overwhelming support of my immediate family and the Blue Naadą́ą́’ Sweets Family. All pop-up shops have been sold out from the beginning, always within the first hour. Products always and continue to sell out. This keeps Blue Naadą́ą́’ Sweets going in the right direction.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As previously stated, my employment experience is very diverse. From age fourteen, my experience in diverse fields has allowed me to provide the best service possible. I strongly believe in working hard and working hard with the best attitude. A professional work ethic is everything to me. While in middle and high school and during my summer breaks, I worked as a server and waiter in different restaurants. After High School, I was a Dental Assistant for three years, followed by two years as a Family Planning Counselor and Male Health Educator for a non-profit organization. While in that capacity, I meant some amazing people who worked in occupations that cater to the needs of the people, along the lines of physical and mental health needs. These professionals inspired me to return to school. This decision came with leaving the only home I knew, the reservation. It wasn’t easy, but I knew I had to make this move. Of course, life became convenient in the city. I went from being a Certified Zumba Instructor to having no desire for fitness. It took me a while to find motivation and remind myself why I made this drastic move. I worked in the Casino Industry for eight years while attending school, and In 2018, I started working for the Department of Child Safety in Phoenix, Arizona. This is where I worked with one of the most motivating superiors I have ever had. My supervisor at the time would encourage me to start making moves.

Blue Naadą́ą́’ Sweets started overnight in 2020. I just had to do it. I came up with the business name and logo and created the Facebook and Instagram pages in one night. For years, I have always had a desire to become an entrepreneur. For what? I still had no idea. Ever since grade school, I’ve always had a vision of owning a cupcake shop. This was before cupcakes were as cool as they are today. Now, I think this was the vision I had manifested decades ago. How ironic! Now, I am continuing to strive towards that goal of owning my establishment. This has been an exciting and humbling journey. When I meet people, they share their dreams of owning their own business or even getting it started. I tell every single one of them, “Just start! Everything else falls into place as you move forward.” I also continue to work with my fellow small businesses, especially in the Indigenous communities.

Let’s end by discussing what matters most to you and why.
The integrity of my business. I choose to serve everyone equally and respectfully. I hope to look back decades from now and recognize that the integrity of my business still thrives and the traditions it was built on are still prevalent. Many people say that the Navajo culture and the Navajo language are on their way to extinction. I hope my business played a part in preserving who we are as Navajo People; our teachings, culture, way of life, and especially our language. I assure you that the teachings handed down to me by my elders thrive through the presentation of my business. Most of my ingredients are directly sourced from the Navajo Nation and its people. Wholesale prices are available, and Gluten Free options are limited but available when requested. I want to extend a huge appreciation to my parents Ernest and Larencita Billy, my siblings, their families, my close friends, and other small businesses who have reached out from the beginning and continue supporting my business. Thank you!

Pricing:

• Blue Corn Cupcakes $3 each
• Blue Corn Cookies w/Pine Nuts $3 each
• Blue Corn Cupcake Mix $25 each
• Blue Corn Cookie Mix $30 each
• Blue Corn Pancake Mix $16 each

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/bluenaadaasweets
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueNaadaaSweets
• TikTok: @BlueNaadaaSweets

Image Credits
Photo by: Precision Photo-Ops (holding the cookie sheet with cookies), Photo by: Stevevost Jim (holding the cup of tea), Photo by: Erickson Billy (All other photos)