Today we’d like to introduce you to Keshia Walton.
Keshia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Most people that know of me, know me as “The Cake Pop Lady”. I started out in 2014 making cake pops and I started a business that created custom cake pop treats for all types of venues. I made a name for myself after becoming the vendor for charitable events and before I knew it, celebrities like Malik Yoba, Korto Momolu, and Michael Dean Shelton were among many to taste my signature treats. I knew from there I would do more, but I had the desire to branch off into something different. Writing. I first began with the idea of publishing my first book “Cerebral Labyrinth” in 2014. I used to take jobs acting in movies or as an extra on tv shows and while acting out certain roles, I began to explore with my creativity in writing. I’ve always been a fan of science fiction and knew I wanted to focus my creativity in that genre. As an African American woman writing in the genre of science fiction, I knew I would be breaking into an industry that is not common for women such as myself, but I was determined to push myself pass barriers that would otherwise limit me.
My goal in becoming a writer has never been for recognition of my accomplishments or fame but to create revenue that I could invest in other avenues of building a successful business leading me to KB Wal LLC. From there I came up with the idea to start drawing and selling my art which has been a therapeutic for me in allowing me to use my creative expression and turn it into something positive distracting me from the darkest moments of grief in my life. It has been an amazing journey to see my art give guidance and inspiration to others. I have so many projects in the works including the completion of “CEREBRAL LABYRINTH: The Trilogy”. Opportunities to produce my 1st Manga series and a script I’m working towards. I have been blessed with so much experience gained during my time as a model and actor and it is through those experiences that God has placed me in a position where my creativity and passion are needed to produce greatness and build my legacy.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I face challenges daily and it has not been smooth by far, but I know that is the beauty of why I work so hard. In the past year, I have lost so many loved ones that played a major role in my life. People who helped to shape my heart and character and I have to live each day in a world that no longer includes them. I have had to learn how to grieve and surprisingly learned that in my grief, I was grieving all wrong. Once I accepted death, I realized I have to live my life as if those gone are still here with me because they are. As a mother, I live for my children, so it is no difference in living for others that are no longer apart of this world. It is how I have removed the pain death brings and I’m blessed to be able to tell the stories of those that have had a major impact on my life through my creativity.
I have had so many people tell me that I’m strong when they have heard my story of loss and heartbreak and to see me walking around laughing, smiling and being positive is amazing because they don’t know if they would have the strength to do it but I remind them that it is because of God, that we have the strength to endure in times we don’t think we can. I feel such a sense of accomplishment in my life now knowing that I helped others smile when they didn’t think they could. Or I gave hope to a person when they had none. I rather enjoy knowing that God has given me such a gift to be able to share my creative process with others and give them hope in their own lives. Even right now in my life, I made the choice to return to college and master knowledge and skills I need to run a successful company later and I work 2 full-time jobs to contribute capital for KB WAL LLC as well as support my family. As a single mother, I’m challenged with obstacles daily, but I like to think I make my obstacles look good because I don’t let anything stop me or slow me down. Ain’t nobody got time for that. lol
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Well, I have always had a creative passion for things in my life. Even when I was younger, I was always drawing or reading. I guess I have always had a wild imagination and enjoyed the creative process of getting lost in my thoughts and ideas. Ultimately, I have achieved success through my creativity by being honest with myself and not being afraid to express my creative passion which led to me publishing my first book. To be an African American woman writing in a genre of Science Fiction is a rarity. I had much to consider in the release of my first book. So many times have people picked up a book and judged it based on its appearance rather than the context of its pages and I didn’t want to subject myself or my first major production to the same bias so I decided to keep my identity a secret and produce my work under a pseudonym I created, KB Wal, which is short for Keshia Brieonne Walton.
In my hopes of not giving a biography until after I complete the trilogy to “Cerebral Labyrinth”, I would be allowing my readers to decide that their author could be whatever they needed me to be rather if that meant I need to be a man for them to read my book or a woman, Black or white. It didn’t matter and with a pen name like KB Wal, much could be left open to interpretation. Once I made the choice to create KB Wal, I realized I had my work cut out for me and there would be so much more that I would create so I turned KB Wal into KB WAL LLC which will house a production company, marketing and consulting firm, casting company and with future hopes, I plan to create an animation studio to assist in the production my first ever Manga series. I realized that in writing great stories, those stories can go as far as I want them to go and the sky is the limit. I desire to be the first to take my ideas as far as I can with a hand in all aspects of business and possibilities.
Since I began on my journey, gaining capital has been my toughest challenge but I have learned that what I can’t build, I will grow, so I decided to take my skills of drawing and creation and turn it into profit. That is how KB WalCreations was formed which is an Art gallery that focuses on creating custom paintings that spread hope, inspiration, laughs, love, smiles, and comfort to the world. I have sold over 50 paintings and my drawings are soon to be released as fashion to wear that includes ladies’ shirts and earrings. Once I committed to following my passion and pursue my creativity with a mission of building a foundation that will one day provide jobs and inspire others to never give up on their creative process, I realized there are no limits in my life other than the ones I set and the worst thing I can do, would be living my life not giving my full effort to make my dreams a reality. I have learned through disappointment, failure, and pain that not everything is easy, and I appreciate that it shouldn’t be because it is from the pain and disappointments in life that we learn who we are, learn how to stand and most importantly, how to survive.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was that girl that was a complete tomboy. I always had more guy friends than female friends and I’m still that way today. I loved playing outside and when I wasn’t in the street trying to make it home before the streetlights found me. I would be playing video games. I was hardcore into video games and had every major game system. I enjoyed games like “Kingdom Heart’s, Call of Duty, The Urbz: Sims in the City (mainly because I love the Black Eye Peas lol). To this day I still own a 2nd generation Super Nintendo system. I also was big into anime. (Still, am and proud of it.) Cartoons played a major role in my childhood and it still a major creative tool I use when I create a painting or artwork for someone. I was a very fun person growing up, but I was also serious when I needed to be.
When I needed to buckle down and get things done, I did. For some reason, high school was extra stressful but no matter how hard life seemed for me then, I was able to reflect back to simpler times of laughter and excitement that came from reaching a new level in video games or just enjoying watching cartoons. There was a sense of peace it gave me, and I enjoy being able to keep those moments alive when I draw which is why I think my artwork means so much to people today. Personality-wise, I was extremely goofy. Honestly, I still am. Laughter is so important to me because it is a state of mind people need to live in this world and it joins people together from different backgrounds and from every corner of the world. When we are able to laugh together, we smile together, love together, create together and build together. That is the key to happiness and humility.
Pricing:
- Cerebral Labyrinth Book by K. B Wal can be purchased anywhere books are sold $12.99
- KB WalCreations: Custom paintings vary starting from $75 and up (Based on canvas size)
- Marketing/Logo Designs and Advertising pricing quoted after consultant
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbwalcreations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013585603132
Image Credit:
Photos by Kaleb Armstrong and Micah Walton
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