Today we’d like to introduce you to Kia Sharay.
Hi Kia, 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 with Pretty & Powdered really started with both experience and a leap of faith. Back in Baltimore, Maryland, I co-owned a funnel cake business called *Funnel Cake Craze* with a partner. That’s where I first fell in love with the idea of turning a classic dessert into something fun, creative, and memorable for people.
In September 2025, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life. I moved to Texas, purchased my home, and stepped out on faith by leaving my government HR career. It was a major transition, but I knew I wanted more for myself and my future. Moving gave me the opportunity to reset, refocus, and really think about what I wanted my brand to look like.
I realized I didn’t just want to continue what I had before. I wanted to build something that truly reflected me. That’s when I decided to rebrand and step out on my own, and Pretty & Powdered was born. I wanted a brand that felt elevated, feminine, fun, and visually appealing something that turned a simple funnel cake into an experience.
Since launching Pretty & Powdered, I’ve been focused on creating not just desserts, but moments bringing people together through something sweet, photogenic, and memorable. This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding, and it all started with trusting myself enough to take that leap.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road, but every challenge has helped shape both me and the business into what it is today.
One of the biggest struggles was taking the risk of leaving behind stability. I walked away from my government HR career, moved to a completely new state in September 2025, purchased my home, and started over from scratch in Texas. That was exciting, but also scary because I was stepping into the unknown without a guaranteed outcome.
Another challenge was rebuilding my brand identity. Back in Baltimore, I already had experience with a funnel cake business through Funnel Cake Craze, but transitioning from a partnership into creating something fully my own came with a lot of pressure. I had to figure out what made my vision different and how to create a brand that truly represented me. That process required a lot of creativity, confidence, and trial and error.
Starting over in a new city also meant rebuilding my network and customer base from the ground up. There were moments of self-doubt, financial pressure, and balancing entrepreneurship with real-life responsibilities. As a mother and foster parent, I wear many hats, so learning how to manage everything while still pouring into my business has been a journey in itself. But through all of it, I stayed committed to the vision. Every obstacle taught me resilience, patience, and faith. Looking back now, those struggles were necessary because they pushed me to grow personally and professionally, and they made Pretty & Powdered much more meaningful to me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Pretty & Powdered is a dessert brand that specializes in elevated funnel cake creations, especially our signature funnel cake fries. We focus on creating desserts that are not only delicious but also visually appealing and memorable. My goal has always been to take something nostalgic and turn it into an experience that feels fun, feminine, creative, and Instagram-worthy. What I’m known for is bringing personality and presentation into the dessert space. Pretty & Powdered is more than just funnel cakes; it’s a brand centered around creativity, aesthetics, community, and experience. From the branding to the toppings to the way we present our desserts at events, everything is intentional and designed to make people feel excited and connected. I’m most proud of the fact that I built this business on a leap of faith. Leaving my government HR career, moving to Texas, and starting over in a new city took courage. I’m proud that I trusted myself enough to pursue entrepreneurship and create something that truly reflects who I am. I’m also proud of balancing motherhood, foster parenting, and business ownership while staying committed to my vision.
What sets me apart is authenticity and heart. I didn’t create Pretty & Powdered to sell desserts. I created it to create moments. I genuinely love bringing people together, curating experiences, and making people smile through food. I also believe my background in HR and community engagement has helped me build strong relationships, connect with people naturally, and create a brand that feels welcoming and relatable.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think the dessert and food experience industry is shifting into something much bigger than just “selling food.” Over the next 5–10 years, I believe brands that create experiences, strong visuals, and emotional connection are going to stand out the most. One of the biggest trends I see is experiential dining and interactive desserts becoming even more popular. People don’t just want something that tastes good anymore, they want something memorable, shareable, and social media worthy. Things like dessert bars, live stations, customizable treats, themed pop-ups, and visually appealing presentations are becoming huge in the industry. I believe my business will grow, and the events I curate will bring a different creative force out that love aesthetically pleasing, “Instagrammable” experiences. Enjoy sweets, desserts, and trendy food moments.
Pricing:
- Funnel Cake Fries: $12
- Booking for parties packages start at $450
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettyandpowdered
