K&J’s Elegant Pastries’ Sweet Success Story Powered by Social Media

Kristal Bryant posing for a photo while holding one of her milkshakes - Credit: Birmingham Times (Website)

Sierra Pope | Multimedia News Intern 

4-minute Read

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Kristal Bryant, the owner of K&J’s Elegant Pastries in Alabaster, Alabama, has nearly 80,000 followers on TikTok and over 40,000 followers on Instagram. Yet, the key to her social media success is her customers.

“That’s how our business has grown as much as it has,” Bryant confirmed. “It’s almost like our customers advertise for us daily. They come in, think our shakes are what they call ‘Instagram worthy,’ take pictures, post them, and shoot them out to their 2,000 friends. Then, those people share it and those people will come to our shop."

K&J’s Elegant Pastries serves milkshakes in a variety of flavors, ranging from birthday cake to salted caramel. When it comes to cupcakes, the shop has more than 40 flavor combinations; however, the five standard flavors available everyday include vanilla, strawberry, red velvet, sweet potato, and cookies and cream.

“Customers will come in and say, ‘Oh, we ran across a picture of a shake on Facebook,’” Bryant said. “It’s the same thing with all the publications and shows we’ve been on, like Travel Channel and Southern Living. They found us on social media, too.”

K&J’s Elegant Pastries also creates custom cakes for any special occasion with periodic dessert catering that supplies many treats like mini cupcakes, parfaits, chocolate-covered strawberries, and pretzels.

Bryant’s baked goods have received awards from several contests. During the Magic City Chocolate Challenge, held by the nonprofit organization Disability Rights and Resources, each chef brings a dish that is sampled by a group of judges. Bryant won in 2016 for her peanut butter cupcakes topped with white chocolate bacon.

“The bacon was dipped in white chocolate, so it had a hard crunch on the outside,” Bryant described. “It was sweet and salty, and the judges loved it. They thought it was different.”

Despite raving social media engagement, business has not always been easy for Bryant. Years ago, her first online customer called the health department to report that Bryant was making cakes at her residence.

“I had to take down my website and all my social media pages, and I couldn’t take orders,” Bryant explained. “I was just distraught.”

After working at a bar and bistro for six months to help sustain her business, she got an unexpected gift from her parents.

“My mom was getting ready to retire at the time and wanted to do something to help my business, so she gave me $15,000,” Bryant stated. “I found a little spot on Kent Dairy Road in Alabaster, and my husband and I did everything ourselves, from painting the walls to building our own counters to getting used equipment.”

After three and a half years, Bryant left that store and moved into her current location in February of 2017.

“I feel like everything that has happened has always been a blessing, God has blessed us so tremendously,” Bryant proclaimed. “One of the girls that I mentor told me, ‘I think of all the ways you’ve helped other people, and that’s why you’re so blessed.’”

To learn more or place an order, check out K&J’s Elegant Pastries' contact information here.