An Inspired Chat with Shontel Kealoha of Stone Mountain

Shontel Kealoha shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Shontel, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
When I’m not in the kitchen whipping up something sweet for an order or the next pop-up, you’ll probably find me online, trying to make magic happen with my posts. The hustle doesn’t clock out when the oven does.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My love story with the kitchen started way before I even knew what love really was. I was that kid glued to cooking shows like they were Saturday morning cartoons — wide-eyed, curious, and completely fascinated. Before long, I was the one standing on a stool, mixing, stirring, and taste-testing anything I could get my hands on. Every Christmas, I’d bake cookies for everyone I knew, sprinkling joy one batch at a time — though funny enough, I never imagined baking would become my calling.

Then came 2012 — the year everything changed. I had just turned 38, and a friend surprised me with cake pops for my birthday. One bite and I was hooked. I had to figure out how to make them myself. Weekend after weekend, I turned my kitchen into a dessert lab, testing out flavors, decorating like a kid at play, and bringing samples to work for “feedback” (really, I just wanted to feed everyone). Then one day, someone said, “You should sell these.” I laughed… but that same person became my very first customer. And just like that, Pop Starz Atl was born.

It wasn’t instant magic — more like late nights, messy counters, and figuring it out one batch at a time. I juggled a full-time job, baked on weekends, and followed wherever creativity led me. By 2016, the vision was crystal clear. So when life handed me a layoff, I decided it was really handing me an opportunity — my chance to bet on myself. That’s when I went all in.

Since then, Pop Starz Atl has become so much more than cake pops. It’s about joy, connection, and those little moments that make people’s eyes light up and their hearts (and bellies) full. Over time, I’ve added gooey brownies, buttery toffee, and mini bundt cakes — each one made with the same love that started it all. Because in my kitchen, desserts aren’t just sweet — they tell a story. And around here, we don’t do boring.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
I’ve had so many people influence my life that it’s hard to say just one relationship shaped how I see myself. But if I had to name the foundation, it would be my parents. They’re the ones who taught me what it means to stand on my values, to move with integrity, and to know my worth even when the world tries to shake it. From them, I learned self-love, resilience, and a kind of fearlessness that comes from knowing who you are at your core.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have absolutely been times I wanted to give up. Times where I questioned if all the effort, all the sacrifice, was even worth it. Being a small business owner is one of the most rewarding yet exhausting things I’ve ever done. I wake up every day giving it everything I have — my heart, my energy, my creativity — and still, there are days it feels like it’s not enough.

This wasn’t a path I planned for myself; it kind of found me when I wasn’t even looking. And though there have been moments of doubt and frustration, I’ve also discovered strength I didn’t know I had. This journey has tested me, stretched me, and humbled me… but it’s also become a part of who I am. And even when it gets hard — really hard — I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, it is! What you see is what you get with me. I’m warm, loving, I keep it real — and sometimes that includes a few four-letter words — and honestly, I think I’m pretty funny.

But I’ve also learned how to read a room and adjust when needed. That doesn’t mean I’m being fake — it just means I know how to move in different spaces while still showing up as me. My tone might shift, but my energy and my heart stay the same.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. Not everything we do comes with applause — and that’s okay. I do a lot of things that go unseen, that don’t earn recognition, and honestly, I don’t look for it. The moves I make, the effort I put in, it’s because it matters to me. Win or lose, praised or unnoticed, I give my best because it’s who I am and how I honor my own journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://popstarzatl.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/popstarzatl/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PopStarzAtl
• Other: Email: info@popstarzatl.com