Keisha Gaines shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Keisha, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I feel that I’m being called to help other entrepreneurs in their journey especially minorities. From the young children that I speak to for career day presentations with Junior Achievement and to the people who are starting a business now. That is just a few ways that I’m using my business to make an impact in others. I wasn’t afraid of this before because I did not know that this is the direction that I would be working in. Now I know that I want my business to not just be about making money but to leave a legacy of impact, integrity and heart. I currently have a group with my church that focuses on Faith and Entrepreneurship. We discuss how our faith helps us to steward the businesses God gave us well. We also talk about general business information that can help each other along the way with advice and shared resources.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Keisha Gaines, and I’m the founder/CEO and creative force behind Keisha Cakes LLC. A luxury custom cake and cupcake business based in Boynton Beach, Florida. What began as a hobby sparked by a love for art and creativity has grown into an award-winning business known for crafting visually stunning and delicious cakes that turn life’s sweetest moments into lasting memories.
Over the years, God has helped me build Keisha Cakes from the ground up earning a loyal following, maintaining a 5-star rating, and being featured on Netflix, local news, and multiple award platforms. My cakes aren’t just desserts, they’re tasty works of edible art designed to celebrate people, culture, and joy.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I believed I had to be a doctor, nurse or lawyer to have a successful career. I didn’t know that there were careers that included art like cake decorating back then. I know now that it’s ok to pursue your passions and God will work out the rest. I also thought that I had to be the smartest in the class to be important. The way my artist brain works I was not the best in math and that used to get me down about myself, but I now embrace my differences instead of comparing myself to others. I might not be able to do Algebra but I can make a cake that looks like a realistic object and that is my super power.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me that God usually has something better for me on the other side of it. While it’s never pleasant to go through suffering at the time, in the past have I’ve learned to let go of relationships, jobs, and ideas that were no longer serving me. The aftermath was better relationships, my own business and a confidence that I didn’t have before. Going through trials definitely builds resilience and endurance in me. I try to remember that as I continue to go through life because as long as we live suffering will be part of the human experience.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The customer is always right is a huge lie. The owner of the business is the expert of that business so therefore has a lot of knowledge. Customer’s complaints are valid but that does not mean the business owner needs to be disrespected to get their point across. I’ve noticed that some people don’t read all the information and then wants to get upset about an issue that is actually their fault. It’s my job as a business owner to remain professional and just deal with the issues head on.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Caring about the opinions of others. It’s something I’m currently working on. It does not serve me in anyway to be worried about what people think of me. I just want to live my life having joy and spending time thinking about things that really matter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.keishacakes.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keishacakesllc/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keisha-gaines-6a377836/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeishaCakes/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/keisha-cakes-boynton-beach
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keishacakesllc
