Meet Donya Brown | Baker, Author, Entrepremom, Peculiar Everyperson

We had the good fortune of connecting with Donya Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Donya, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
I could say something like bubbles, puppies and rainbows, but it’s more about the intangibles for me. Success, not of my own, but the success of others. And not just the big things, it’s the little things. They met a personal goal, or tried something new. They finally started something, or finally finished it. I delight in the triumph of others. My children are growing (13), grown (21) and grownup (27), and every step of the way, I’m supporting and cheering their successes. I love to see people happy with their accomplishments!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Cooking is Art, while Baking is Science. The need for balance and exactness in baking will make or break your cake. It’s taken decades, but I think I’ve found the sweet spot in between them. My motto is, “If You Can Drink It, I Can Bake It” and I take the challenge very seriously. That’s where the creativity comes in. How do I turn a basic vanilla batter into your favorite cocktail? At what point does the amount of alcohol go from nuance to nuisance? What other flavor notes do I need to bring in to make it sing? I love thinking of new flavor combinations. I thrive on bringing them to fruition. But I LIVE for watching people savor my creations when I’ve hit it just right!

The road to success hasn’t been easy, but I’ve been blessed with a support system that’s made it not so hard. The business was born in my hometown of Long Beach, CA surrounded by my family and friends. They encouraged me, bolstered me and helped me gain in popularity in a very short time. They introduced me to opportunities I would never have discovered myself and helped me reach new heights with them. Moving the business to Atlanta seemed like a no-brainer. A place that not only appreciates sweet indulgences, but also openly supports Black- and Woman-Owned businesses? I’m all in! Unfortunately, I arrived two months before Covid, so there was no ground to hit running. It took a while to find my footing again, but now I’m carefully climbing my way back up to the limelight by offering a quality product with a unique concept to the masses.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many awesome places to enjoy here that I haven’t even gotten to, so we’d be experiencing Atlanta’s greatness together! Food should be the highlight of any travel adventure. I’m not one for the high marquee places, preferring to find joy at eye level. I love Ms. Jerrie’s Cafe in Forest Park for the simplicity and down home comfort of their breakfasts, as well as the excellence of Thumbs Up in East Point. I’m also that weirdo that loves random gas station and grocery store food spots for lunch, so a sub from Publix or tacos from any of many carnecerias fits the bill on our way to our next adventure. I’ve also recently discovered the Halidom Eatery and would love to get our grub on there! For dinner, I haven’t found a better bbq joint that Fox Bros., so that’s a must. I’d also love to have an evening of food and fun at both Third Spot and Putt Shack.

I highly recommend hiking at Vickery Falls or Arabia Mountain trails for outdoor fun, strolling the New Black Wall Street Market for locally crafted artistry, products, and entertainment, and Downtown Lithonia and Black Dot Cultural Center to experience laidback cultural enrichment. A night-in cooking our own food begins at Atlanta Harvest Farmers Market in Ellenwood. Local, homegrown, folksy stuff is where real travel experiences are made!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, Big Ups to Elohim El Shaddai! Without Him, I am literally nothing! He gave me the gifts that I use to share my brand of craziness with the world. He blessed me with the skills, drive, desire and passion to do what I do for as many years as I have. I am eternally grateful.

Second, my family for all of their love and support! My husband Orrett finds the simplest, most loving ways to show his support. Whether it’s bringing home a random bottle of something for a new recipe, or eyeing the perfect box for me to pack cakes in for events, he’s always got my back. My son Mylan, aka “Jr Co-Owner” has been on my hip from from Day One, taste testing, flavor profiling, baking, packing, and selling right along with me. I appreciate his interest, input and company in my day-to-day business operations. My daughters Ayana and Jasmine are my favorite cheerleaders. Neither are wrapped in the business, but they constantly encourage me to keep going and growing.

Lastly, my parents for being my divinely-chosen vessels, and for nurturing my individuality. I’m sure they shake their heads at me often, but they also revel in my tenacity and take joy in my creativity.

Website: https://RedShoeCakes.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redshoecakes/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Redshoecakes/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/red-shoe-cakes-conley-2