We recently connected with Nikia Wingard and have shared our conversation below.

Nikia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Kia’s Kountry Konfections is a testament to the power of resilience, community support, and the healing power of baking. What started as a holiday tradition of making desserts for family gatherings, including teacakes and mini sweet potato pies, blossomed into a small business after a series of challenging personal experiences. In the summer of 2024, while facing financial hardship, mental health struggles, and the illness of a beloved family member, an unexpected request from Aunt Mary reignited the passion for baking. This simple act of baking teacakes for her led to a revelation when my close friends suggested turning the love for baking into a business.

Encouraged by the positive response from my friends and the Fresh Impact Church community, I decided to take the leap and start selling my teacakes. With the help of my best friend, Lakisha Mable, who designed the logo, the business was born. The logo’s message of “I am at an end of a thing, and the end of that is better than its beginning” embodies the core values of Kia’s Kountry Konfections—prosperity, health, love, positivity, and family.

When I first started making desserts for family gatherings, it was more about the joy of sharing something I loved rather than a business idea. However, when my friends tasted my teacakes and encouraged me to sell them, it made me realize that there might be something bigger at play. I didn’t know exactly how it would unfold, but I felt a spark of excitement and hope that something good could come from this passion I had for baking.

The logic behind why I felt this could work really came down to a few key factors. First, it was the deep connection people had to the desserts. My teacakes weren’t just treats; they represented a piece of love and care that resonated with those who tasted them. I’d been baking for years, perfecting recipes that were passed down through my family, so I knew I had something special. That personal touch gave my desserts an edge that mass-produced products couldn’t replicate.

Second, I realized that there was a real desire for homemade, comfort food in my community. It wasn’t just about filling a gap in the market but offering something that brought people joy and warmth—especially during tough times. My own struggles, combined with the encouragement from my church and friends, made me realize that I wasn’t just selling teacakes; I was offering a sense of connection and community, something people long for, especially in today’s fast-paced world.

What excited me most was the idea that this could be an opportunity to create something that didn’t just benefit me, but also the people around me. I wanted to share my passion and skills but also help support my family and others in the community. This business wasn’t just a way for me to earn income—it became a way to spread positivity and love through the simplest yet most powerful medium I knew food.

So, while I wasn’t necessarily solving a problem that no one else was solving, I felt like I was offering something unique—a personal, heartfelt approach to baking that brought people together. That’s what got me excited: the possibility of turning a personal love for baking into something that could make a difference in people’s lives.

Today, Kia’s Kountry Konfections stands as a small business rooted in passion and community, with a mission to bring delicious, homemade treats to others while celebrating resilience and the joy of sharing.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Nikia, the founder of Kia’s Kountry Konfections, a small but passionate baking business that started from humble beginnings and grew into something meaningful for me and my community. My journey into the world of baking started as a way to show love and care for my family, especially during the holidays. I’ve always enjoyed making desserts—teacakes, mini sweet potato pies, and other treats—so when I started baking for family gatherings, it was a tradition that brought us closer together.

However, the journey really took a turn in the summer of 2024 when life threw some unexpected challenges my way. I was dealing with financial hardship, a mental health struggle, and my baby brother’s illness while out on Family and Medical Leave (FMLA). During this time, my Aunt Mary asked me to make her some teacakes with pecans, which led to an opportunity I hadn’t expected. I shared the teacakes with friends during a Sunday dinner, and they encouraged me to turn my love for baking into a business. Their suggestion hit home, and that was when Kia’s Kountry Konfections began to take shape.

Kia’s Kountry Konfections offers homemade, baked-from-the-heart treats that bring comfort and joy to those who enjoy them. My main products are teacakes, which are soft, buttery cakes with a light sweetness and various flavor options, and mini sweet potato pies, which are a crowd favorite. What sets my products apart is the personal care and attention I put into each batch. These aren’t mass-produced or store-bought treats. They carry the love and tradition of family recipes, and that’s something my customers notice and appreciate.

What I aim to solve for my customers is the desire for delicious, comforting, homemade desserts that remind them of family gatherings and moments of joy. In a world full of fast food and pre-packaged options, there’s something special about a handmade treat that evokes nostalgia and brings people together. I want to offer that feeling of comfort to anyone who needs it. Whether it’s for a holiday celebration, a Sunday dinner, or just because, Kia’s Kountry Konfections is about creating a warm, positive experience with every bite.

What I’m most proud of is how far my business has come from that first request from Aunt Mary to what it is now—an opportunity to connect with my community and share my passion. I’m proud of the resilience I’ve shown through difficult times and how the support of my friends, family, and church community helped me turn something personal into something larger. My brand is rooted in positivity, love, and family, and I want my customers to feel that every time they enjoy my baked goods.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, what I want you to know is that Kia’s Kountry Konfections isn’t just a business—it’s a reflection of my heart and my values. It’s about offering more than just desserts; it’s about offering love, connection, and a little bit of home. When you support my business, you’re not just purchasing a product; you’re supporting a dream that came to life through hard work and community. Every batch of teacakes and every mini sweet potato pie is a piece of my heart, and I’m excited to continue sharing that with you.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building my audience on social media has been a gradual process that’s been deeply tied to my personal journey, the growth of my business, and the incredible support from my community. It all started when I began sharing my teacakes with friends and family, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. People would comment on how much they loved the desserts, and I quickly realized that there was potential for something bigger. Social media was the perfect way to connect with a broader audience and share my passion.
When I first started, I didn’t have a huge following or a fancy marketing strategy. I began by sharing simple, authentic posts that showed behind-the-scenes moments of me baking, pictures of my teacakes, and the story behind Kia’s Kountry Konfections. I wanted people to feel the love and care that went into each batch, and I made sure to share a little bit about my journey, struggles, and triumphs. That authenticity helped me connect with people on a personal level, which is important when you’re building a brand.
One of the first big milestones for me was when my best friend, Lakisha Mable, helped me design a logo for Kia’s Kountry Konfections. It was more than just a logo; it was a visual representation of my business’s heart and soul. Once I had that visual identity, I began to share it more consistently across platforms, and that’s when I started to see engagement grow. I also made sure to engage with my followers by responding to comments, liking their posts, and sharing their support. Building relationships with people is key to growing an audience.
The turning point came when I shared my teacakes at Fresh Impact Church. The positive response I got there created a ripple effect online. People started tagging me in their posts, sharing my desserts, and referring friends and family to my page. Word-of-mouth from my church community and personal connections played a huge role in helping my social media presence grow.

Here’s the advice I’d offer for those just starting to build their social media presence:

1. Be authentic: Share your story, your journey, and what drives you. People are drawn to authenticity and want to connect with the real you, not just the business side of things. Show them the person behind the products.

2. Consistency is key: You don’t need to post every day, but being consistent is important. Whether it’s once a week or a few times a week, keep your brand visible and your audience engaged with regular updates, whether it’s product shots, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or personal stories.

3. Engage with your audience: Social media is about building relationships, not just broadcasting. Take the time to reply to comments, thank people for their support, and acknowledge your followers. The more you engage, the more people will feel connected to you and your brand.

4. Use visuals to tell your story: People are drawn to beautiful, eye-catching images. Whether you’re showing off your products or sharing moments from your life, make sure your visuals are clear, vibrant, and reflective of your brand. Don’t be afraid to show your personality through your photos and videos.

5. Leverage your community: Whether it’s friends, family, or customers, your community is a powerful tool. Encourage them to share their experiences with your products on social media and tag you. Word-of-mouth can be your biggest asset when building a following.

6. Be patient: Building an audience takes time. Don’t expect overnight success, and don’t get discouraged if growth is slow at first. Keep posting, stay engaged, and let your community naturally grow.

7. Focus on value: Don’t just sell—share value. Whether it’s baking tips, personal stories, or inspiration, make sure your content offers something beyond just a product. People will follow you if they feel they are gaining something from your page.

In summary, building an audience on social media is about being real, consistent, and engaged. Share your story, connect with people, and over time, you’ll see your following grow as they become more connected to your brand and what you offer. The key is to focus on relationships, not just numbers.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A big lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that success would come only from perfection. Early on in my journey with Kia’s Kountry Konfections, I felt like everything had to be flawless—my products, my social media presence, and even the way I presented myself. I thought that if I made one mistake, or if something didn’t look “perfect,” it would all fall apart. I used to spend hours perfecting every detail, worried that any imperfection would turn people away.

This mindset was partly fueled by my own self-doubt and the desire to prove myself after facing financial struggles and mental health challenges. I thought that if I presented my business as flawless, people would take me seriously. But over time, I realized that this desire for perfection was actually holding me back. It kept me from being authentic and fully embracing the process of learning and growing.

The turning point came when I shared a post on social media that wasn’t perfectly polished. It was a photo of me baking in my kitchen, with a few items out of place and a natural, unposed vibe. To my surprise, the response was overwhelmingly positive. People loved seeing the real, unfiltered side of the process. That was a wake-up call for me—people weren’t just buying products; they were connecting with the person behind the business. They appreciated the authenticity and the journey, imperfections and all.

Since then, I’ve learned to embrace imperfections. I’ve unlearned the idea that everything has to be perfect, and I’ve come to understand that people relate more to realness than to an idealized image. Success isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistency, authenticity, and a willingness to grow and learn from mistakes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bakesy.shop/b/kias-kountry-konfections
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiakountrykonfections/profilecard/?igsh=MXdyZW10bjF2MWo3MA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15eDVqsU2B/

Image Credits

Bills Visions LLC.