Meet Kierra Grier: Baker

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

Hi Kierra, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was to do something that I love to do… baking. As I nurse I care for people’s health holistically. As a baker I am able to cater to people’s emotional health. Bring joy through creating beautifully customized and tasty desserts. I wanted to create a second string of income to increase my saving and sense of security as a single mother and create a business/legacy that I can leave for my son. I also want to inspire people, especially women, that although life has its obstacles you can reach your goals and live your dreams.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What I am most proud of is the fact that my son is proud of me. Sometimes he looks at my creations and is wowed. I am proud of is my ability to execute my customer’s vision and put smiles on their faces. Customers tell me their ideas or send images of what they want and I execute. My talent to decorate is a God given talent and I credit him for the success that I’ve achieved so far not just with my business, but in life in general. Many times I amaze myself. I am able to create visually appealing and tasty desserts which is something that some bakers cannot do. My recipes are FROM SCRATCH… no box cakes and no bought/pre-made buttercream. It is time consuming to bake from scratch and even make hand made decorations, but in the end I am able to say I put my everything into my cakes. I am able to deliver truly customized cakes. Many people may not know that I am self taught. I have never taken a single class regarding baking. I have an education in nursing and I work full time as a pain management nurse. I am luck to have two careers that I love. I have always had pretty good time management and organizing, but I have had to find a balance between being a mother, a nurse, a baker, a daughter, a friend, etc. I also have had to learned that I have to balance work life and personal life, which can be hard because I hate to turn down customers. A hard thing to accept sometimes is that the people that you thought would be supportive won’t be or maybe not as much as you wanted them to be, but you have to be okay with that and push forward. I want the world to know that I look at my business as a hobby that pays me, not necessarily as a business. I aim to share my love for baking with my customers and community not to just make money.

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?
I LOVE beach vacations. If we’re visiting a place that is away from home I like to try local private restaurants instead of chain restaurants. My best friend loves food so she would be excited to eat kust about anything. I am adventurous so I would set up for us to try different excursions… jet ski, parasailing, ziplining, snorkeling, whatever there is to try in the area that is safe. I would also set up a self care day… nails, pedicures, massages, facials, relaxation and drinks on the beach. Get dressed up and enjoy dinner and music at a nice lounge.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to acknowledge and thank my mother for her neverending support. When I said that I was going to start a business she was nothing short of encouraging. My mother is always supporting me both as a mom and a custom. During holidays when I am super busy she come to assist me ( measures out ingredients, wash dishes, clean behind me) even if it means she doesn’t get to sleep. She sends me cake design ideas (sometimes very late at night 🤷🏾‍♀️) and orders supplies for me. She assists me with my son when needed. She is always encouraging.

Instagram: Kshevel_kakes

Other: Email: kshevelkakes@gmail.com