Cetonya Martin shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Cetonya, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Quiet time and PP&W = Prayer – Praise & Worship
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Cetonya Martin, and at my core, I’m someone who finds joy in creating comfort, connection, and possibility for others. I’m the author of Kneaded Calm: The Healing Power of Stress Baking, a book that shares my belief that the kitchen can be a sanctuary—a place where flour, sugar, and quiet moments can help us breathe a little easier. This project has been a dream in the making, born from my own need for peace during life’s heavier seasons, and I’m grateful to finally bring it into the hands of readers everywhere.
Beyond writing, I’m a small business owner who pours heart and intention into every venture I touch. I run 3 Chicks Catering Services, where feeding people isn’t just a business—it’s a love language. Bringing people together through food has always felt like a calling, and this company allows me to do that on a meaningful scale. I’m also the co-owner of CM & Tax Services, a business that supports individuals and families by helping them navigate the financial side of life with clarity, trust, and confidence.
What makes my journey unique is how all these paths—author, cook, entrepreneur, helper—intertwine. Whether I’m crafting recipes, guiding clients, or writing words meant to soothe the spirit, my work is always rooted in service. I love feeding people, exploring the world, losing myself in good music, and finding ways to lift others up. Every chapter of my life is guided by that same desire: to make someone’s day a little easier, a little brighter, and a little more nourished.
As I continue growing my businesses and sharing Kneaded Calm with the world, I hope my story inspires others to find healing in their passions and courage in their creativity. Thank you for being part of my journey.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
he greatest lessons I’ve ever learned about work came from the strong women in my family. From the time I was a young girl, I watched them move through life with a powerful mix of resilience, grace, and purpose. They didn’t just work to get things done—they worked to build, to support, to uplift, and to serve. Seeing that every day left a deep and lasting impression on me.
I remember watching them wake up early, shoulder responsibilities without complaint, and still find the strength to pour love into their families and communities. Whether they were cooking, caregiving, managing a household, or stepping into their own careers, they approached everything with a sense of pride and determination. They taught me that work isn’t just about earning a living—it’s about honoring your gifts, showing up for others, and carrying yourself with integrity even when no one is watching.
Their example shaped the way I see service, leadership, and hard work today. It’s why I love feeding people, why I feel called to run businesses that help and support others, and why I believe so deeply in creating spaces where people feel cared for. Everything I do is a reflection of the lessons they quietly passed down: be dedicated, be compassionate, and let your work speak for the legacy you’re building.
Those women ( My Mom, Older Sister, Aunties) showed me what strength looks like in motion, and their influence continues to guide every part of my journey.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The defining wounds of my life came during one of the darkest and most unexpected seasons I’ve ever faced. Losing my mother and my older sister just six months apart shook the very foundation of who I was. They weren’t just family—they were my anchors, my encouragers, and the women who helped shape every part of my identity. Experiencing that kind of loss back-to-back felt like the ground had fallen out from under me, leaving me to navigate grief, shock, and a silence I had never known before.
The wounds were multilayered: the pain of death itself, the ache of absence, and the overwhelming fear of moving forward without the support system I had always leaned on. Grief changed the way I saw the world. It made ordinary days feel heavy, and it left a tenderness in my spirit that took time to understand. I had to relearn what strength looked like without the women who had always modeled it for me.
My healing didn’t come all at once. It came gently, slowly, and unexpectedly—through baking and cooking. The kitchen became the one place where my heart could settle long enough to breathe. Measuring ingredients gave me a sense of control when everything felt out of place. Stirring batter became a moment of meditation. The warm smell of something fresh in the oven wrapped itself around me like a hug I had been missing. In feeding others, I found a way to feed my own spirit again.
That healing process is what birthed Kneaded Calm: The Healing Power of Stress Baking. The book grew out of the realization that baking wasn’t just a hobby or a distraction for me—it was a lifeline. It allowed me to reconnect with memories, reclaim moments of peace, and channel my grief into something meaningful. Sharing that journey through my writing has become part of the healing too, reminding me that even the deepest wounds can give rise to something beautiful, something helpful, something that supports others the way I once needed support myself.
I’m still healing, still learning, still growing—but I carry my mother and sister with me in every recipe, every story, and every moment of comfort I offer to someone else. Through grief, I discovered purpose. Through loss, I found a way to create. And through wounds, I learned that healing can rise from the most unexpected places.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked the people who know me best, they’d tell you that what truly matters to me begins with God, because my faith is the foundation that keeps me grounded, centered, and moving with purpose. They’d say that I hold my family and friends close, not just in the everyday sense, but in the way I show up for them, support them, and make sure they feel loved and valued. Relationships aren’t something I take lightly—they’re at the heart of everything I do.
My friends would also say that I’m someone who believes in living fully, savoring the small joys, laughing often, traveling when I can, and creating memories that last. They know I don’t want to simply pass through life—I want to enjoy it, embrace it, and make each moment meaningful. They see that I’m intentional about celebrating the good days and finding gratitude even in the hard ones.
But above all, they’d tell you that I’m deeply committed to leaving a legacy. Not just in terms of business or accomplishments, but in the way I hope to touch people’s lives. Whether through my cooking, my writing, my work, or my presence, I want the impact I make to be felt long after the moment is over. My friends would say that I care about creating something lasting—something rooted in love, service, and purpose—because that’s how I honor the people who shaped me and the people I hope to inspire.
In their eyes, what matters most to me is faith, connection, joy, and the mark I leave behind. And honestly, they’d be right.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m in the kitchen, lost in the rhythm of cooking. There’s something almost sacred about those moments—the sound of chopping, the aroma of fresh ingredients coming together, the gentle simmer of a pot on the stove. It’s a space where my mind quiets, my creativity flows, and I can pour my heart into something that brings comfort to others.
I also find peace when I’m planning an event or creating a menu. That process of imagining flavors, textures, and experiences feels like crafting a little world of joy for the people who will enjoy it. It allows me to be both organized and imaginative, blending structure with inspiration. Whether I’m sketching out a menu for a catered event or experimenting with new recipes, it gives me a sense of purpose and calm.
Those moments—cooking, planning, creating—are where everything aligns for me. It’s where I feel grounded, centered, and closest to myself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iii_chicks?igsh=OXBxMmxyZmV1Y2ky&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cetonya-martin-b7974536
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigsexytexan
