Parfé Diem, local Black-owned business wins $25,000 grant

SALT LAKE CITY — Parfé Diem, a local Black-owned business won a $25,000 grant from Daymond John’s fifth annual Black Entrepreneurs Day livestream.

According to Rosen Media Group, the event is held to inspire, educate and provide direct financial support to Black-owned businesses. It has given more than $1 million to businesses since 2020.

Parfé Diem is an artisan pudding shop located in Sugar House. During the livestream, it won the T Mobile For Business Grant out of thousands of other applicants.

“We are super excited,” said Parfé Diem’s owner Parker D. Barbee. “I’m so blown away by (the win).”

Parfé Diem’s beginning

Barbee said when he found out Parfé Diem won the grant it took him back to when it all started. He initially had the idea to start the shop after bringing his pudding to a Friendsgiving dinner.

“There reaction about it … they [thought] this is the most amazing thing ever,” he said.

At the time Barbee had a full time job, but in 2022 he was laid off. He said this gave him the push to open the desert shop.

“Seize the moment, for lack of better words,” Barbee said.

He said winning the grant felt “very affirming.”

“Out of all of that struggle and trauma that I went through getting laid off, there was light on the other side,” Barbee said. “It just felt like this is what I’m supposed to be doing … It just really made me feel proud to know that there are people that recognize my effort.”

With the $25,000, Barbee plans to grow his dessert shop. He said he would like to buy a trailer for the business to operate out of.

The full livestream is available on Daymond John’s Facebook. Learn more about Parfé Diem  here and see what it has to offer below👇

Photos provided by Parker D. Barbee.

Bryanna Willis is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio. Follow her on X

Devin Oldroyd is a digital content producer for KSL NewsRadio. Follow them on X.