We had the good fortune of connecting with Kierra Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kierra, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
To be completely honest, I never imagined myself owning a business. I began teaching myself how to cook after going off to college. A bit of a late start, I know! Back then my college didn’t offer meal plans, so instead of gaining the freshman 15, I lost it! Lol, I was starving! I began experimenting with recipes and quickly found enjoyment in the whole cooking process. As I became more confident, I began cooking for my roommates and then my neighbors.. and to my surprise, people really enjoyed my food. They would request it over and over! But I still didn’t see a business opportunity for myself in the food industry at that point. When I returned back home from school, I kept practicing in the kitchen and I would often share my meals on Instagram and I would get loads of positive feedback. To the point where it became overwhelming…in a good way! People were inquiring daily about how they could purchase food and that’s sort of how the whole idea developed.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Cut the Cake Catering Co. is a small event catering service based in Atlanta, GA that prioritizes client satisfaction through exceptional food, presentation, and customer service. Long before a fork can make contact with one’s lips, they have likely decided in their mind whether the meal is going to be satisfactory or not based upon its appearance. People eat with their eyes first! Cut the Cake Catering Co. understands the importance of visually appealing meal presentations and creative plating. But it is equally important to me as a business owner that the food I am serving my clients tastes just as good as it looks, if not even better! The meats, dairy, and seasonal produce that we serve is all locally sourced not only in efforts to support local farmers and improve food safety, but to ensure the freshest, highest quality, and best tasting food for our clients. We are dedicated to creating authentic and memorable experiences that are unique to each individual client and will leave lasting impressions.

Entrepreneurship is not easy! Especially in the beginning phases where you are working around the clock as your own receptionist, creative director, social media manager… literally doing it all! I have put my blood, sweat, and tears into this business coupled with endless sleepless nights, and sooo much money. But while entrepreneurship is hands down the hardest journey I’ve ever embarked on, in the same breath it is also the greatest personal development journey I’ve ever been on.
It takes real courage to take a chance on yourself and be willing to fail while the world is watching. When building a brand you have to be okay with taking risks and stepping fully outside of your comfort zone in order to find your sweet spot! I experimented with many food services before finding what worked for me. Some things can only be learned through trial and error, so at a certain point you just have to go for it!

The road to success requires much more sacrifice than some may realize. In order to truly give yourself a shot at entrepreneurship, you must be ALL in! This can mean missing out on holidays or other special events which will likely disappoint your friends and family, but what I have learned along the way is that those who truly love and support you will understand and meet you where you are!
When I started my business back in 2020, I struggled with overwhelming feelings of self-doubt and loneliness. I felt extremely guilty taking even just one day off work, which made it so hard to set boundaries. I burned myself out! A work life balance is essential! No matter what type of work you’re doing, you cannot perform at your highest level if you’re running off 2 hours of sleep and a cheerio. Make the time to take care of yourself, above all else. Unexpected problems will arise and making mistakes at times will be inevitable, but what’s important is that you bounce back and move with integrity. No matter how big or expensive the mistake is, I put my clients first and I believe things have always worked out in my favor because of that. I wouldn’t be able to run my business without the love and support of my community and I can’t wait for the day I am able to pour back into my community on a much larger scale. 1 in 8 people in Georgia are struggling with food insecurity and it is my dream to partner with local organizations to help solve this food crisis. I have so many future plans for my little baby, Cut the Cake. This is just the beginning.
Godspeed.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you’re coming to Atlanta, you must visit Toast on Lenox for brunch, Holeman and Finch for the best burgers in town, Win Taste of Bali for a delicious Indonesian lunch, Beetlecat for the best lobster rolls, JJ’s for bomb fried chicken wings, and Oak Steakhouse for a perfectly cooked filet mignon. Tulum Kitchen and Bar and Batsi are great lively dinner options.

Cocktails: High Society, Anansi, El Malo, Jojo’s Beloved, The Sober Social (mocktails). Rooftop Bars:: Virtue, Overstory, Spaceman, Gypsy Kitchen.

Coffee and Pastries: Le Bon Nosh, The Salty, Perc, Confections bakery.

Wellness: Woodhouse Spa, Sweathouz Infrared Sauna Studio, The Daily Pilates Studio, Your Vitamin Lady

Visit Ponce City Market, Buckhead Village District, and Virginia Highlands for outdoor shopping and quick bites! Take a stroll or ride bikes and/or scooters through The Atlanta Beltline. For daytime activities, take a pottery class at Mudfire, make a candle at Bear and Honey, or create your own signature scent at Indiehouse. Check out Mics Karaoke or Dine and Design for a fun night out with friends!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be who I am today without the love and guidance of my uncles, Herbert Williams III and Walter Harris. I lost my father when I was very young and both of these men stepped up for me in ways I could never repay them for. The way they poured into me throughout my life has shaped me into the hard-working, amiable, resilient woman I am today. Unfortunately, they have both passed on now and neither of them ever got a chance to see me in business, but I take comfort in knowing just how proud of me they would be. I never had a dream that they didn’t support to the fullest. My memories of them is what keeps me going some days!

Website: www.cutthecake.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutthecakeco?igsh=N2k2ZGJoMWt6Znoz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cutthecakecateringco

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@cutthecakecatering3578?si=UAtRYKfgMt-zbrCv

Other: TikTok : cutthecakeco IG: cutthecakeco YT: cutthecakecatering3578 FB: Cut the Cake Bakery and Catering Co., LLC

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.