Meet Tiana McKneely | Pound cake baker

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

Hi Tiana, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
My favorite Bible scripture in my adulthood and since starting Sweet Marie’z is James 2:26 “Just as a body is dead without breath, Faith without work, is dead.” Growing up my entire family has instilled in me Faith as well as hard work because both go hand in hand. You can have all the faith in the world, but if you don’t put the work in for that particular goal then there is nothing your faith can do for you because faith is not meant to carry you, but push you forward.  If you work and don’t have Faith that the work you are doing to get closer to your goals will succeed then what are you doing the work for? But, just recently my cousin Kevin put this scripture in a whole new perspective for me “work isn’t just physical work it’s working to change your mindset also” meaning, yes you can do the physical work, but are you working to change your mentality because that also goes into the work that needs to be done.  This scripture really embodies what I was taught and what my family stands on. My faith, hard work, mentality and family has carried me this far and there is no turning back!

Alright, so let’s move onto how Sweet Marie’z began and have there been any challenges?
So let’s start from the beginning. My friends (Will and Sequoia) has an annual friends and family picnic and one year I decided to go and told them that I will bring dessert. I brought my 7up pound cake (which is a family recipe). I did this for 3 years and someone said “man this cake so good, you should sale them”, now at the time, being an entrepreneur never crossed my mind. Fast forward to when COVID hit, I lost my job because they had to cut back on funding since the schools were shutting down (I worked as an educational coach at Contra Costa College in Richmond, Ca) I was making $30 an hour so when I lost this job, I fell into depression not knowing how I was going to take care of my household (this was my faith being tested). I had to quickly think about what I needed to do to bring in extra money. I immediately thought about my cakes. I knew though that just selling 7up cake wasn’t going to cut it so as time went on, I created different flavors began to choose a name for my business and I chose Sweet Marie’z which embodies everything ME! SWEET is my personality MARIE is my middle name and the “Z” at the end of Marie is for my 3 babies, Zeron, Zae’Vion and Zoie. Starting this business actually helped me get out of that depression over losing my job and what was once necessity, became my passion, my peace and somewhat therapeutic.  Baking helps me feel closer to my family ties, closer to my Great Granny, Willie Mae Reed who taught me how to make pound cakes.  I am able to think about a cake and present it, make people smile as well as use my creativity.  Starting this business has absolutely had its challenges, but I choose not to dwell on that because I know what I prayed for so I work through those because on the other side of those challenges are answered prayers. It just takes faith, work, positive mentality and patience! I am excited about my personal growth, my growing passion for baking, meeting new people, watching my children thrive in a new State and bringing joy and love one pound cake slice at a time. This is more than JUST pound cake, its legacy!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I need a friend to show me these things! Lol I’m new to Katy, Texas and have yet to explore the area. But if I was back home in Richmond, Ca oh YES I have a few places for you! My #1 is reggae spots. I love to dance! There is a spot called Nu Parish in Oakland, Ca and they host an event called Reggae Gold and they have the greatest vibe and reggae DJs. I will also take them to 1st Street in Oakland to Taco Mi Rancho which is the BEST taco truck EVER. I would take them on some hiking trails because Cali has the best (my opinion may be biased). Lastly, we would do a tour of San Francisco there are so many beautiful land marks in the city!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Omg where do I even start with this one?! For one, my children! They deserve every ounce of praise for my success because without them I wouldn’t have as much drive as I do because ultimately, I want to succeed for them. They push me everyday and are truly my biggest cheerleaders. When we decided as a family to move to move to Texas they said “mommy you are going to be great, let’s do it!” And their belief in me is my driving force. I want to thank my baby sister Kesha for trying every single pound cake I created in the beginning stages and for the times when I would bake for the Holidays and she would cook for me because she knew I was up all night baking for other families as well as being my listening ear, sister I really love and appreciate you!. I want to thank my mother for showing me what hard work, resilience and strength looks like. I want to thank my Nana for taking her time to teach me how to make/perfect pound cakes. I want to thank my best friends (more like sisters) Courtney and Shannon for listening to all of my ideas, my thoughts and talking me out of quitting! I want to thank EVERYONE back home (Richmond, Ca) who believed in me from the day I started my business until now and in the future. I want to ESPECIALLY thank my cousins Kevin and Ryan for believing in me and helping me with my transition from California to Texas. They believed in me and my business enough to have my cakes in their restaurant Aunt Bills Soul Food Cafe in Katy Texas. Finally and MOST importantly, I want to THANK GOD because he has held me for so long. He has given me mercy and grace, he has carried me when I felt weak and pushed me when I felt like giving up and without HIM…I honestly know none of this will be possible!

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