Today we’d like to introduce you to Johndrea Slay.
Hi Johndrea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey has always been rooted in serving others. Professionally, I built my career in laboratory medicine and education, where I currently work as a Clinical Scientist and Training Specialist, helping develop future healthcare professionals and ensuring excellence in patient care.
Outside of my career, I discovered my passion for entrepreneurship through baking. What started as creating custom cakes for family and friends grew into Icing by J. Slay, where I create custom desserts that celebrate life’s special moments. That passion also inspired me to found Celebrate With A Cake, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing birthday cakes and celebrations for children in foster care and children with disabilities because I believe every child deserves to feel celebrated.
Today, I continue to combine my professional experience, entrepreneurial spirit, and heart for service while pursuing my Executive MBA. I am also developing an indoor play and party venue designed to give young children a safe, fun place to play while creating lasting memories for families. Every step of my journey has been driven by one mission: to make a meaningful impact in my community by serving, celebrating, and creating opportunities for others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve faced challenges balancing a full-time career, graduate school, family, and multiple businesses while trying to grow each one with limited time and resources. Funding has also been one of the biggest obstacles. Much of what I’ve built has been self-funded, requiring me to reinvest profits and make personal sacrifices to continue serving my community.
As the founder of a nonprofit, I’ve also experienced the challenges of securing grants, recruiting volunteers, and meeting the growing needs of the families we serve. There have been moments of doubt and exhaustion, but each challenge has strengthened my resilience and reinforced my purpose. Every obstacle has taught me valuable lessons about leadership, perseverance, and the importance of staying focused on the mission. Those experiences have shaped not only the businesses I’m building today but also the leader I’ve become.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My work is centered around creating joy, celebrating milestones, and making people feel seen. Through Icing by J. Slay, I specialize in custom cakes, dessert tables, and handcrafted treats that transform special occasions into unforgettable experiences. Every order is uniquely designed to reflect my clients’ vision, and I take pride in combining creativity, quality, and attention to detail to create desserts that are just as memorable as they are delicious.
Beyond my business, I founded Celebrate With A Cake, a nonprofit organization that provides birthday cakes and celebration experiences for children in foster care and children with disabilities throughout the Greater Houston area. We believe every child deserves to be celebrated, regardless of their circumstances, and we partner with foster agencies, schools, and community organizations to make that happen.
What sets me apart is that my passion for baking extends beyond business—it’s my way of serving others. Every cake I create, whether for a paying customer or a child receiving one through our nonprofit, is made with the same level of care, creativity, and love. I’m most proud of building a brand that represents compassion, excellence, and community impact. I want people to know that when they support my business, they’re also helping create smiles and meaningful memories for children and families who need them most. For me, success isn’t measured only by the cakes I make, but by the lives I have the opportunity to touch.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is creating moments that bring people together. Whether it’s watching a child’s face light up when they see their birthday cake, celebrating a family’s milestone, mentoring students as they begin their careers in healthcare, or cheering on my own family, those moments remind me why I do what I do.
I also find joy in serving my community. Through my nonprofit and volunteer work, I’ve learned that even the smallest act of kindness can have a lasting impact. Knowing that something I created or a moment I helped make possible brought someone hope, happiness, or a sense of being loved is incredibly rewarding.
At the end of the day, my greatest fulfillment comes from knowing I’ve made a positive difference in someone’s life. That’s what continues to inspire me every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Celebratewithacake.org , https://bakesy.shop/b/icing-by-j-slay
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icingbyjslay/, https://www.instagram.com/celebrate_withacake/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celebratewithacake, https://www.facebook.com/icingbyjslay
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/celebrate-with-a-cake/
