Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Kristina Johnson of Stone Mountain

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kristina Johnson. Check out our conversation below.

Kristina, 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 are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m most proud of the quiet systems I’ve built inside myself and my business: discipline, consistency, and a refusal to give up. People see the finished cakes and the busy days, but they don’t see the nights of practice, the spreadsheets, the processes, and the steady faith that got me here.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Kristina, and I’m the owner and baker behind KJ Sugar Lips. I graduated from culinary school in 2016 and turned my love for baking into a business that’s all about spreading sweetness. I specialize in custom cakes and desserts that are made from scratch with care, creativity, and a touch of elegance.

What makes my brand special is that it’s more than just dessert and it’s about creating memorable moments. Whether it’s a birthday, wedding, or a simple craving for something sweet, I want every bite to feel like a little celebration. My story is really one of perseverance, faith, and passion — I started small, and step by step built a business that reflects my personality and heart.

Right now, I’m working on expanding seasonal menus, collaborating on community events, and continuing to grow KJ Sugar Lips into something that inspires joy in every customer who tastes it.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My twin brother. He always saw my gifts and potential before I could see them myself. We had that special twin bond, and he was my biggest encourager. I lost him in 2022, but his belief in me is something I carry with me every single day.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I’ve carried two big wounds: losing my dad in 2020 and my twin brother in 2022, and battling alcohol abuse. For years I numbed the pain, but in 2023 I chose sobriety. That decision changed everything. Healing hasn’t been a straight line — it’s been therapy, faith, routines, and pouring myself into baking and community. Sobriety gave me back my creativity, my stability, and the ability to live fully while honoring the people I lost

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Parts of the public me are polished — I choose what to share — but the core is real: my faith, my work ethic, and the grief and growth that shape everything I do. I show up honestly when it matters.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
Peace finds me in simple, steady moments: kneading dough before anyone else wakes, watching butter and sugar become something beautiful, or walking through a sunflower field with my prayers. Those small rituals — prayer, a steady rhythm, and creating — stitch me back together. After everything I’ve been through, especially since getting sober in 2023 and carrying the memories of my dad and twin, those exact, slow moments are where I breathe easiest.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @itschefkj____
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-johnson-1b135672
• Facebook: Kristina Johnson