Today we’d like to introduce you to Keisha Johnson.
Hi Keisha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
At the onset of the pandemic, my high school friend and I talked via phone about ideas and creating other income streams outside of our careers. Into our conversation, she blurted out that I should start a business selling my pecan candy. This candy has been a long-time favorite treat I have always shared with my family and friends. Pecan candy has always been a famous sweet that I have wanted to indulge in for as long as I can remember. I recall leaving home to attend Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia; during my visits home, I always got someone to make me pecan candy to take back. It wasn’t until I married my husband and tasted his mother’s pecan candy that I realized she had the best pecan candy I had ever tasted. After having enough of enduring the wait of scheduled visits home before getting my hands on her pecan, I finally mastered the recipe and was able to make and eat them as often as I desired them.
Recalling the taste of my mother-in-law’s candy during our conversation reminded me that I had learned from the best and held the recipe for the best pecan candy. With assured confidence, I replied and told her I would be up for the challenge. She reassured me that she would support me every step of the way. After assessing the vision of the business that captured my personality and heart for the industry, we came up with the name Southern Girl Pralines to brand the business’s Southern flare and ensure it could be traced back to where the recipe originated. Marketing strategies via social media brought in remarkable sales that exceeded my expectations. I established the LLC rights to the business in 2020. Fast forward to the Year 2023, and I am now processing and shipping orders through a website that allows me to share the taste of the deep south with everyone in the United States and internationally. I offer pralines in six flavors: original, pound cake(top seller), rum, almond, coconut, and chocolate. Additionally, I offer a fleur de lis praline for all the Louisiana natives that enjoy representing their city.
Additionally, I provide custom-shaped pralines that can be found on my website. Custom boxes decorated in ribbons for all occasions are also located on the website for celebratory events and holidays. My pralines are sold at Everythang Nola Cafe in Atlanta on Sylvan Road. I am excited about the future of Southern Girl Pralines and eager to explore other platforms that will add value to how I continue to expand and grow the business.
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?
While I couldn’t be more proud of the evolution of Southern Girl Pralines, there have been some bumps and bruises along the way. Marketing has proven to be a critical asset to growing sales; as my friend continued to manage her business and support me from afar, I want to consider her commitment to her business and not put additional pressure or strain on her to juggle the needs of my business. I decided to secure someone to assist with managing my social media page. Ensuring the right fit to mirror my vision presents challenges that I continue to work on and navigate as I pursue the right fit, as the quest to secure a social media manager is a goal I am working on.
Additionally, I went through the ebbs and flows when sales were not as consistent. During these times, I became doubtful and felt that my business was doomed to fail. When sales were high, it felt good and restored my confidence; however, there was always a way for frustration to show its face. Because I am a one-person show who makes, packs, and labels the pralines, it often calls for late nights of standing over the pot and stirring the candy through every stage until it is complete and ready to be dropped on the baking sheet to cool before packing and sealing. I look forward to the day I can implement a seamless process that doesn’t bring wear and tear to the physical aspects of the body while allowing me to continue to make and share the taste of Southern goodness with the world.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have been a career social worker for over 23 years. I enjoy engaging and helping others. I specialize in building connections with others that allow me to understand their needs best and give direction to the resources, support, and guidance needed to offer timely and meaningful resolutions. It is most rewarding and fulfilling to conclude an engagement with a happy ending that adds value to someone’s life and how they can navigate life with an anticipated successful outcome.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Outside of my husband and two beautiful children, who mean the absolute world to me, operating in love to support, inspire, and empower others is essential to me. If my existence is not adding value to someone else, I only exist and do not serve a purpose, nor am I operating in the purpose God has designed for my life. I wake up every day with a pursuit to add value and meaning to someone else’s life. I am a social worker because I sincerely and genuinely care about others and whether they succeed or fail. Sharing my pralines with the world allows me to continue to engage, inspire, and empower others. I can’t begin to share the wonderful testimonies that the sales of my pralines have allowed me to connect with others and pour into their lives as they have poured back into mine. I am excited about how the extension of God’s purpose over my life has allowed me to branch into a business that continues to operate in his purpose while feeding others’ souls through the enjoyment of indulging in the taste of pralines.
Pricing:
- 1/2 dozen pralines – 15.00
- dozen pralines -30.00
Contact Info:
- Website: southerngirlpralines.com
- Instagram: southern_girl_pralines
- Facebook: southerngirlpralines
Image Credits
Monica Farber with Hello Fancy Media
