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

Alright, Tiaran thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?

Asking friends and family to support your business can be helpful when done with care. It’s absolutely fine to let them know what you’re working on and invite support—just avoid making it feel like an obligation. A simple, no-pressure message like “I’ve just launched something new—if you know anyone who might be interested, feel free to pass it along” respects their space while still getting the word out. Offering value and showing appreciation for even small gestures, like a social media share or word-of-mouth referral, goes a long way.

What’s not appropriate is guilt-tripping or expecting support just because you’re close. Repeated sales pitches, or pushing something that isn’t relevant to them, can damage trust. The line should be drawn where your outreach starts to feel like a transaction instead of a genuine connection.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi! I’m Tiáran Bryan, the creator behind Cakes By The Pound, where I specialize in custom pound cakes made with love and creativity. My journey into baking started unexpectedly—right after Thanksgiving, my cousin brought some pound cake for the family, and I figured I’d give it a try myself. What began as a simple experiment quickly turned into something I truly enjoy, and by the end of last year, I’d launched my business just for fun. Since then, I’ve been so grateful to see it take off faster than I ever expected.

What sets me apart is the way I approach every cake as a creative challenge. People often come to me with ideas, and even if I’ve never made that type of cake before, I love figuring out how to bring it to life. Whether it’s a classic flavor or a bold new twist, I pour care and personality into every cake I make. I think that openness to try new things—and the joy I bring to it—has helped me build a name for myself in just a few short months.

More than anything, I want people to know that this brand is built on creativity, connection, and a genuine love for what I do. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want something sweet, I’m here to help make it memorable—one pound cake at a time.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I started building my social media audience in a really natural, unexpected way. After Thanksgiving, I made my first pound cake just to try something new after tasting one my cousin brought to the family gathering. I brought that first cake to work just for people to try—no business in mind, just wanting to share something homemade. My coworkers loved it and started encouraging me to make more. Their reactions gave me the confidence to keep baking, and that’s when I thought, “Why not start posting these?”

So I started sharing photos of each cake I made on social media, and things took off quickly from there. People were curious, especially when they saw the different custom cakes I was creating based on ideas people gave me—even ones I had never tried before. I think the fact that I was having fun with it and being open to new challenges helped me stand out. Within just a few months, people were not only following, but ordering and sharing my cakes.

If you’re just starting out on social media, my best advice is to be consistent and genuine. You don’t need a huge plan—just share your journey as it’s happening. Show people the process, your personality, and how much you care about what you’re doing. And definitely let people try your product when you can—those first in-person reactions can build your confidence and help create loyal supporters who spread the word naturally.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I keep in touch with clients by staying personal, responsive, and consistent—whether it’s through social media, word-of-mouth, or direct messages. Every interaction matters, so I make sure people feel seen and appreciated. When someone orders a cake, I follow up with a thank you and often check in afterward to hear how they enjoyed it. I also love reposting customer photos or shoutouts, not just to promote the brand, but to show genuine appreciation.

Social media plays a big role in keeping the connection going. I regularly share updates, behind-the-scenes peeks, and fun new cake designs to keep people engaged and excited. I try to involve my audience, too—asking questions, responding to comments, and even using their ideas as inspiration for new creations.

Fostering loyalty isn’t about making a sale—it’s about making people feel like they’re part of something. Whether it’s remembering their favorite flavors or going the extra mile on a custom idea, I want every client to feel like their cake was made just for them—because it was.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @cksbythepd