Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Wright.
Hi Kevin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Raised in Brooklyn, NY. I was an average kid curious on what life held for me. Always knew I wanted to be a business owner never would have guessed it would be a Bakery/Event Venue. At the age of 17, I was in the final stages of school and knew that I needed to find a job. Since I went to school in the city, I thought it would be wise to get a job out there. That didn’t last long. I didn’t enjoy standing at the door collecting bags as asset protection in a Jeans store. Not too long after, I asked my friends if their boss was hiring and they told me to ask him. Just my luck he said “If I really wanted to work Meet him at 5am at his warehouse” This was the start of a future I couldn’t of predicted. Cakeman Raven was a staple in the Brooklyn Culture. As he hired me, he didn’t physically teach me how to bake. I was the Dishwasher and with that job, it stemmed great responsibilities. This gave me some of the disciplinary tools needed to be successful, Such as being on time for work and, within that, the cause and effects of being late. The Layout of how and why the operation runs the way it does and the reason why being the best is so important.
I ended up moving out of the state at 19 to Georgia for a fresh start things seemed like a standstill and I knew I wanted better than what Brooklyn seemed to be offering to me. 2009-2016 I started off working as a Comcast Technician, Walmart Distribution, Behavioral aide, then ended up at TSA. In between the last two, the BA Job had laid me off it seemed to have been the hardest time in my life Mortgage, Car Notes, Credit cards you name it I couldn’t pay anything. My wife had reminded me that my cakes was amazing and I could sell them for profit. It was an automatic go from there I spoke with my father’s CPA friend, He loved the fact that a young black man wanted to start a business. I told him what I wanted to call it and about 2 hours later, he was sending me an EIN, told me “It’s official” and consider it a gift. Not knowing anything I sketched a few drawings and drove to Columbus to a graphic designer trying to get a logo done, little did I know I didn’t need to go to him.
TSA was a planting ground I didn’t take cakes to work until about 2 and 1/2 years in my coworker told me your cakes are better than all these people in here and if they doing it, you can to so I started bringing them on Thursdays to my checkpoint it would sell out every time to the point where they would talk about me to other checkpoints so I would bring multiple bags and walk to the different checkpoint and eventually to other buildings and offices when I got off, four years of gradually building the business COVID took place, as brick and mortars where closing the little home bakery was getting notice from people still looking for birthday cakes, Slices slowed down but I knew I needed to make my money so I took to social media Facebook groups use to support my flyer buy 3 get free delivery on Thursdays with $3 slices, My Slices were moving it got to the point my wife came back to me and said this is getting too big for the house.
It was true my Business took over the living room, kitchen, and dining. so we went looking for a space and running at the end of Covid people were desperate for tenants and making a sail. Which brings us to today we are now located at 8034 Rockbridge Road SW, Lithonia, GA doing Bakery/ Event Venue. “Event Space x Cakes Like Velvet ”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road is never smooth, I’m currently am going through it as I type, every level is a new level it’s a level that you never played, and as you play it, you learn and move to another. From discovering how you take losses some months and gains on others. The investment cost literally takes all you have to try and sustain. I remember sharing vehicles with my wife because my primary vehicle transmission went out on my way back from training for TSA. While awaiting our first child, I could still feel the pressure.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the Owner/ baker at Cakes Like Velvet INC. We specialize in southern-style cakes. I think I’m most known for the most moist cakes in Atlanta at the moment, I think the fact that with me, it’s still about the love of baking it reminds me of my youth every day “THE HUSTLE” never left. The look on customers’ faces the first time they try the cake it’s not just about making Money. Keeping the smile is very important Making creations that don’t only look good but taste amazing. People can feel the Genuine love.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The best thing to say would be never give up, even when your tired and feeling like breaking down. Break down, get up and keep going. Light will shine.
Contact Info:
- Website: Cakeslikevelvet.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/cakeslikevelvetatl
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/CakesLikeVelvetATL
- Twitter: twitter.com/Cakezlikevelvet
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@cakeslikevelvetatl
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cakes-like-velvet-lithonia
- Other: cakeslikevelvethome.com
