We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sonequa Murray . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sonequa below.

Sonequa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Honestly, I wasn’t a baker lol the only cake I knew how to make was Poundcake. My grandmother was a Baker but I never learned the craft just enjoyed the benefits. My mother made a mean Poundcake as well. So I wanted my own signature dessert I could contribute to family functions. I would bake my strawberry Poundcake for friends and they were telling me you could sell this. I was like nobody gonna buy no cake from me. So we had a fundraiser and I contributed the Poundcake. Afterwards I started getting people asking about my Poundcake. I told them the fundraiser was over and they were like “And” . I wanna buy one and I was like really? I then got invited to a pop up and they were like what is the name of your business? 👀 I had No Clue I just said “Simply Sonequa Poundcake’s “ I guess lol. And just like that I was a business owner .

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

It’s funny how God gives you a gift that you don’t even imagine exist. Never in a million years did I think I would be on this journey. But I am forever grateful to walk it with my grandma’s spirit all the way. I feel like I offer a Twist to Old school recipes. My specialty is Poundcake’s but over the years I have accepted the challenges of custom cakes. I can truly say it’s been an Amazing ride so far. When asked how I got into this business I was pushed. I am All gas no Brakes lol. After losing my job of 10 years unexpectedly I just knew someone would hire me. I was super cocky and no one gave me a second glance. While staring at bills that seemed stacked to the ceiling. I asked God”What am I supposed to do”? And I heard him clearer than I’ve ever heard him before . He said “Use your hands”! Just like that my dreams became a reality.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Well in 2018 I took a leap of faith and opened a kiosk in Brookwood Village Mall. I was scared and excited All at the same time. I still worked full time and was only open on the weekends. With all the backlash of taking this leap because I was told there was NO foot traffic. I still kept my head held high and pushed fwd despite what naysayers had to say. From the first weekend I sold out every weekend, I was excited and exhausted. But in 2020 Covid hit and my excitement turned to fear again. I really had to press on in my faith. See I made in two days what I made for two weeks. So when I lost my job the month of the Covid shutdown. I just knew the kiosk would sustain me and my family. Sadly it did not and Brookwood closed . I was devastated and felt defeated, I had taken so many hits with the passing of my father and losing my job. Yet I got back in my knees and said “Okay God it’s me again”. I knew people were Leary with Covid so I started offering a delivery service for my cake slices and Jarz. Which was a complete Success , the cake lady was all over birmingham delivering cakes. I even utilized Brookwood Village parking lot as a meet up spot for my customers in Alabaster , Hoover and Calera! You can’t keep a Cake lady down lol. Once Covid calmed down a lil I started hosting pop up shops in Homewood. Where other entrepreneurs like myself could sell their products in a safe environment and covid friendly setting. I have successfully hosted a pop up every 3 months at the Four points Sheraton with over 25 small business owners. Going in 2 years and I’m grateful to God for the strength to push even when you can’t see it!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I am a Vibe within itself lol. I am truly for the people. I know the struggle you have to go through juggling work, family and a business. It’s not for the Weak, I repeat NOT for the weak. You miss family functions, sleep, a Life because it consumes you in the building process. But like I always say you just Crawl before you walk! But it’s worth every drop of sweat and tear. I am not where I want to be yet but I’m definitely headed in the right direction.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.Simplysonequa.ecwid.com
• Instagram: Www. Instagram.com/Simplysonequapoundcakes
• Facebook: Www.facebook.com/Simplysonequapoundcakes