February 18th 2025.
At the young age of 16, Tyla Simone Crayton had a vision for her Houston-based chicken wing business. She saw the potential for it to become something big, and she was determined to make it happen. With a small but dedicated staff of her high school peers, Crayton started Sienna Wings and quickly began getting her products onto retail shelves. It wasn't long before she realized that her success was only just beginning, and she shifted her focus to further developing her sauce and brand. To do so, she even made the bold decision to transition to online schooling.
In an interview with ABC13, Crayton explained that this change in her education was a major factor in her achievements. "That's the first thing," she said, "and then advocating for yourself in any environment is the second thing." According to Crayton, it's important to use the system to your advantage and not just rely on the cards you're dealt. Her dedication and determination paid off when her signature wing sauce caught the attention of the public, and her business began to take off.
As she prepares to graduate from the School of Business at Berkeley, Crayton is confident that her brand will soon reach a million in sales. She opened her own storefront in 2023, offering a variety of wing and fry combos that reflect her unique style and youthful energy. And she's not stopping there - after graduation, she plans to dive headfirst into marketing her restaurant. This includes collaborating with popular Texas grocer H-E-B and finding ways to get her famous Sienna Sauce into even more hands.
Despite her success, Crayton remains humble and grounded. She recognizes that her drive and determination come from her mother, who taught her the importance of resilience and hard work. "When you're raised like that," she explained, "you just don't have the luxury to play around - especially being Black. And being a Black woman...failure is never really a choice." With this mindset, Crayton is constantly pushing herself to reach new heights and break barriers in the business world.
Already, her saucy wings have received national recognition. In 2024, Crayton was recognized by PepsiCo's Dig In program with a Restaurant Royalty title, and she was even featured on the popular television show Shark Tank. She also received a $25K check from the former morning show Strahan & Sara when she first launched her business. But for Crayton, this is only the beginning. She has big plans for her restaurant, including expanding its hours and menu to cater to even more customers.
In a world where young entrepreneurs are becoming increasingly common, Tyla Simone Crayton stands out as a true trailblazer. She has proven that with determination, hard work, and a little bit of sauciness, anything is possible. And as she continues to build her wing sauce empire, there's no telling how high she will soar.
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