We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kupcake Keya. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kupcake Keya below.
Kupcake Keya, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s talk about innovation. What’s the most innovative thing you’ve done in your career?
The most innovative and simply intriguing thing I’ve done with my business is put a piece of Hot Chicken on a cupcake! When pitching the cupcake and describing it, I get asked all the time is it a savory cupcake? In which my reply is “absolutely, NOT,” Creating this cupcake has been one of the highlights of my business. I enjoy the responses I get from people “Daring to be different!” The way their eyes light up once the initial bite is taken and their tastebuds activated is PRICELESS ! My Nashville Hot Chicken Kupcake is Heaven Sent….LITERALLY!
Kupcake Keya, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Nakeya Belser, and I was born, raised, and graduated here in Nashville, Tennessee. I am a self-taught baker and mother to 5 beautiful children affectionately known as “My bebe kids.” I wanted to have the luxury of being hands on with my children and never missing any activity that they were in involved in, while still being able to make a living for us. God’s presence is essential in my life, I knew that it would also be prevalent in my business as well. Through my journey to small business ownership, I have learned that one can’t put God in a box. In realizing so, I wanted to develop a niche and think creatively or “outside of the box,” which is how our name “The Kupcake Barr” was established.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I have always loved being in front of the camera. I started making inspirational videos and just being transparent with my life. I was just trying something out and I loved doing them. The response to my videos were great and further encouraged me to keep doing them so much so, I decided a day each week to them. All the while I had heard the coined phrase “Brand yourself”, but I truly didn’t understand the meaning of the term until I was widely known as “Kupcake Keya who does the Friyay videos.” My advice to those looking to start their social media presence is simple. “Sell yourself!” People want to know who you are, what do you do. So tell them!
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I love a good book. I am always reading and “stretching my brain” learning new things. I have read several different books that have helped me foster great business and life lessons. I was the first in my family to start my own business, so it was very scary. I started with a few books to help me boost my confidence and stay on the entrepreneurial course. The 3 books I read in the very beginning of my journey have truly stuck with me. They are “Real Money Answers for Every Woman” by Patrice Washington, “Soar” by T. D. Jakes, and “Jump” by Steve Harvey. While I’ve read several others, I swear by these books.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thekupcakebarr.com
- Instagram: @thekupcakebarr
- Facebook: The Kupcake Barr