We were lucky to catch up with Kevolyn White recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kevolyn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

If I could sprinkle some fairy dust and go back in time, I would love to have start on this road a few years earlier. I love what I do! I have always baked and tried new recipes…I have always been the family baker and go to for goodies… and that is where it all started and came to life. In California, unfortunately, we were unable until a few years back to cook/bake out of our homes legally as a business. I had heard about the changes that were happening, but was a bit afraid of the paperwork involved and walking away from a decent 9-5 job. I didn’t procrastinate too long, but i did drag my feet a bit. Once I got going everything went well. I kept my regular job and worked well into the night to finish my cakes and cookies. After about 4 years of trying to keep up with everything, I finally got up the nerve to quit my 9-5 and put more time and effort into Kevie’s Kitchen. That has been the best thing I have ever done for myself. Too bad I didn’t start back at the beginning when the opportunity first arose, I would have been better established and much happier. I have time to work and schedule my days and have most evenings free. I do still have to work most weekends, but if I plan well, only 1 of the days. Being able to plan and set my own schedule has also allowed me to experiment and try new things, take classes and prepare for each week and some unexpected additions…lol

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those of you I haven’t yet met, my name is Kevolyn “Kevie” White. I am a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and daughter. I am also the owner of Kevie’s Kitchen, a cottage industry bakery in San Diego, CA. I have been cooking and baking since I was 6. I really enjoy making up recipes and serving good food and goodies to everyone! I started Kevie’s Kitchen about 7 years ago and I have enjoyed making and baking all types of sweets and goodies and sharing in your memories. When I first started out, I was still working a full time 8-5 job.
I did my baking and decorating nights and weekends for about 4 years before working up the nerve to quit my job and put all of my time and efforts into Kevie’s Kitchen. This allows more family time and extra time with my 2 grandchildren, Sammi (9) and Russell (4). They are my joy and both love to bake, decorate and eat…lol I offer cakes, cupcake, cakepops and cookies for all occasions. Birthdays, engagements, weddings, graduations, holidays and more… I am so blessed to be a part of so many of your special days and I always put my heart into each cookie, cupcake, cakepop or cake, etc…. Each and every item that leaves my kitchen is always made with love…which of course is my secret ingredient.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Yes! I have always baked and played with recipes. But about 20 years ago I took a Wilton cake decorating class. It was fun and I learned a few tricks with tips and had a great time. My kids always had “decorated” cakes and I had fun making them. Then about 15 years ago I was asked to teach at Michaels. I taught cake decorating classes and had fun working on my skills. I decided to see if other classes were offered in my area and started an unending love of learning and working with sugar. About 10 years back I had a few friends ask me to do a cake or make cupcakes for a group….and I was hooked. I live in the city of San Diego and about that time California opened up Cottage laws. You could legally work/bake and sell out of your home under restricted conditions. After a lot of thought and speaking to a lot of people, I set out to find out everything i could and to make this happen for me. Seven years ago i was able to get my Business License and complete all of my paperwork for my Cottage Industry CFO License. It was a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. I was now a Home based Business owner. I worked week days and baked and decorated Evenings and weekends. It was slow at first, but word of mouth was great! I unfortunately am not a child of the 90’s or after, I had no conception of Social Media. I am still really poor at it, but have children who help me constantly and also take time to show me how to do things myself.. I had through all of this worked a regular 40+ hour week and continued to do so until just a few years ago. Most orders were finished at 2am if i was lucky and most every weekend was full. While this is a very good thing, it was also very tiring. When my day job reached a fork in the road, my husband told me to go for my cake business, everything else would work out. And it has. I love being able to schedule my days and have my evenings to spend with family or just veg…lol My weekends are still pretty much full, but with a calendar in front of me, I am better able to schedule a weekend off to enjoy with friend and family.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I honestly think my reputation has been built on great tasting goods/goodies. I always try for good looking and clean decorations, and have definitely gotten better as time has gone by, but I would muchly rather serve a wonderful tasting dessert that a fantastic looking one. I know that sounds strange, and I always try my best to achieve both, and I know that I am the hardest critic on the overall looks – but when you take that first bite, I want you to want more…

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kevieskitchen.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/kevieskitchen
• Facebook: facebook.com/kevieskitchen
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kevieskitchen-san-diego

Image Credits
Danielle White-Photography, Website, Vendor and delivery assistance My husband-Allen for his continuing support My Kids and Grandkids for help, taste and carry when called upon…. and my neighbors for their willing taste testing skills and input…