Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle (Kali) ALEX.
Hi Kali, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story is something that I wouldn’t believe that would become a passion of mines today. In college, I would make batches of cupcakes and cookies to support the clubs I was associated with or because I was craving treats from back home, I would bake because it reminded me of home.
Also, baking started becoming a way of surviving as a college student, getting the opportunity to make a small income, especially for those who would needed something sweet that would last them longer than a couple of days. Don’t get me wrong I loved to bake back in my college days, but I went to college to get my education, so I ended taking a gap period from baking to focus solely on my education.
When times got too difficult, I hard to make the hard decision to leave where I grew up and thus, I moved from Southern California to Fort Worth, Texas in 2014 with my mother. Baking became the last thing on my mind, because by November 25, 2015 my mother lost her battle to stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. So the passion I had for baking became non-existent. Fast forwarding to the summer of 2018, I had built a life in the Dallas, where my official first client/friend asked me to make 50 cupcakes for her birthday, and since then I haven’t stopped baking for friends who became clients and clients that now have become my friends. By 2019/2020 I took my baking skills more seriously. From constantly learning new techniques and taking courses, to creating and LLC. and DBA for Kail Cupcakes.
My passion and story come together because of the hard work my mother endured for me and having to watch her bear burdens of her health deteriorating in front of my face, I came to the conclusion that I refuse to not to take advantage of the blessings my mother sent my way. I bake custom cupcake and cakes to make my mother proud, to show her she raised me right in her eyes and in Gods, and the blessings she left for me would not go in vain. Because of the friendships I have built, soo many people have supported me in every move I have made in the passion of me baking.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I would say its been a mix of a smooth and bumpy road. In the last 10 years, I have had great support from clients and friends. The first struggle I faced, was the lack of support I received from my family once my mother had passed. But I did not let that stop me.
The second struggle was covid and the ever changing price hikes in the economy. Covid had put a hard stop to my business, due to constantly working with products that may at that time, caused caution for my clients. Also, no social events, so many clients were avoiding ordering anything, because they could not celebrate.
Currently, the biggest challenge is the rising cost of ingredients, which causes me to have to raise the price on custom baked goods. Many clients, would be in the head space of “its too expensive” or my favorite “If I buy the ingredients, will you drop the price”.
But nothing is meant to be a smooth road. I am constantly learning something new about my business and my techniques with every client I am blessed to have.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Financial Advisor for a higher education online program. Which is great, because I work from home full time and part-time I can focus on Kali Cupcakes.
I am know as a professional social butterfly (for fun), truly it works for me, because this is when I get the chance to meet soo many individuals and future clients.
I am proud to say that I am currently a full time student working on my MBA (whew! it is hard), while handling Kali Cupcakes, working a full time job and that I am member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated. EE-YIIIIIIIP!! To my good Sorors!
What sets me apart from others is that, I am amazing woman, with amazing heart and soul. The people that surround me and support me make me just as great. Because of them, I appreciate them for everything.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is not the money or status you have. To me success is defined by the love and rich mindset in my life and the people that have molded me into the business woman that I am.
My saying for my company is, “Live, Love, Bake Cupcakes.”
Pricing:
- Dozen Cupcakes- starting at $45.00
- Dozen Liquored Cupcakes- starting at $65.00
- 3 Layered Cake – starting at $75.00
- 2 Tier cake- starting at $200.00
- Treats: $3.50 each
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kali_cupcakes
Image Credits
Jason Russell @kleenpic
