Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Munroe.
Hi Kathryn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Hi, I’m Kathryn Munroe, a woman, mother, Veteran, and now Baker and Business Owner. My company has been a dream for over 26 years, and in January 2022, it became a reality. Growing up with my grandmother in Jamaica, she taught me the baking basics, and that grew into a passion. The military taught me dedication, resilience, and determination. These attributes and my diverse background specifically hone my passion for food and baking. My company strives to make young or older adults feel celebrated and adored through our amazing baked goods. We offer custom cakes and desserts, as well as provide dessert bar options for any occasion. That’s Birthdays, Weddings, Promotions, Retirement, and much more. We aim to show love and celebrate people through our amazing baked goods.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has only sometimes been smooth as a new business owner; things are not all peaches and cream. Yes, I know how to bake, talk to people, and sell. However, nobody prepares you for the intricacies of business ownership. Having a website and selling a few cakes does not make an entrepreneur. It takes hours and hours of work. I am getting involved with people in the community, attending meetings by the SBA, CEED, etc., networking with other entrepreneurs, and trying to put myself out there on Social Media. That was particularly hard because my job in the military required me to keep a low social media profile, so you would never see my face, and as you know, that does not endear you to your customers. Deploying for 6 months out of the year almost yearly did not help maintain customer relations either. So I was constantly building my client base back up but could never put 100% or even 50% (for that matter) of my time into the business and doing what I love.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I have served over 20 years in the United States Army. I enlisted when I was 17 because I wanted to “jump out of airplanes with big guns.” I have deployed 7 times to Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey/Jordon to support operations in Syria, Somalia, and Germany to support operations in East Africa. I have served in multiple leadership positions, taken troops to combat, and brought them home safely. I am currently in the process of retiring from the military, and that is why I decided to start my own business.
Kat’s Sweets & Treats Bakery and Catering LLC., known as Kat’s Sweets & Treats Bakery, I am proud to have served my country, but I am even prouder of being a business owner. I want to set an example for girls and other women, especially my daughter. I want them to see that you don’t have to go the conventional route and work in corporate America. You can forge your path and turn your passion into a business. I also want them to have realistic goals and know that this path is challenging; a business is built with blood, sweat, tears, long days, and even longer nights. It is not for the faint of heart because success is not given. It is made. My determination, resilience, and drive set me apart from others. I am a black woman, blessed and highly favored by God, with the will to succeed. I also make really good cakes and baked goods.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I am Jamaican by birth; I grew up learning to bake at my grandmother’s knee. She instilled in me my love for God, food, and family. She also showed me what true strength was. My grandfather (God rest his soul) suffered from alcoholism, and she cared for him until the day he died (too soon). They had 8 children; my grandmother cared for them all, plus two grandchildren. My daughter is 16 and my raison d’etre. She fanned the flames of my passion for baking and even gave me her recipes the day I immigrated to America. She is my ideal of true strength and beauty. I am so proud of the woman she is becoming, and I hope I am an excellent example for her to emulate.
Pricing:
- Custom Cakes start at $65
- Brownies and Shortbread bars are between $5-8 per item
- Dessert bar options start at $210 for 50 people
- Jumbo blueberry muffins $18 per 6
- Cake truffles starts at $24 for 6.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ksweetsandtreats.com/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/katssweetstreats
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/katssweetstreats
- Twitter: www.Twitter.com/katssweetstreat
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/kats-sweets-and-treats-bakery-five-points
- Other: www.TikTok.com/katssweetstreats
Image Credits
Team Flo Photography and Vivid Kulture Photography
