Today we’d like to introduce you to Brima Gassama.
Brima, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story began in April 2020 when I was just 16 years old. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was a high school student in Memphis, Tennessee, trying to find a creative outlet during such an uncertain time. As a first-generation American with parents who immigrated from Sierra Leone, I was raised in a home where hard work, generosity, faith, and serving others were values that were demonstrated every day.
Some of my earliest memories are in the kitchen baking brownies with my older sisters, Betty and Kadiatu, or watching my mother, Theresa, prepare meals for our family. Those moments planted a love for baking long before I ever imagined owning a business.
Before BakedByBrima even existed, I remember baking cookies and driving around Memphis to surprise my friends with them. We had all been separated because of COVID, and I simply wanted to brighten their day and remind them they weren’t alone. Looking back, I realize that wasn’t just about baking it was about using something I loved to bring comfort and connection to other people.
My mother is a registered nurse, and during the pandemic I watched her continue caring for patients while so many doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals courageously showed up every day despite the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. I had so much appreciation for the sacrifices they were making, and I wanted to find a way to say “thank you.”
One day, I asked my mother for a little money to buy baking ingredients and made dozens of cupcakes for her to take to work and share with her coworkers as a small token of appreciation for the nurses, doctors, and healthcare teams who were working tirelessly throughout the pandemic. I thought it would be fun to create a small logo for the boxes, so I came up with the original name, BrimaBakes.
I never imagined that such a simple act of kindness would become the beginning of a business. My mother’s coworkers started asking if I had a business or social media page where they could place orders, and that encouragement planted the seed that this dream could become something real.
Before all of that, my very first customer was actually my best friend, Miya. She believed in me from the very beginning, and I’ll always appreciate her for taking a chance on a 16-year-old who was just getting started. From there, the support continued to grow. My family, friends, and church home, Bellevue Baptist Church, embraced BakedByBrima from the very beginning.
When I told my parents I wanted to turn baking into a business, they immediately believed in me. My father, Abraham, and my mother took me shopping for my very first stand mixer and baking supplies. As a high school student, that meant everything to me. They weren’t just buying equipment they were investing in my dream before I had even proven it could succeed.
One of the first moments that made me realize this could become something bigger was my very first Mother’s Day in business (2021). I remember making over $800 in sales selling custom Mother’s Day bundle boxes, which felt unbelievable for a 17-year-old who had only recently started baking for customers. It gave me the confidence to believe that this wasn’t just a hobby anymore it could become a real business.
Another moment I’ll never forget happened during my senior year of high school. I had the opportunity to present my cakes to a local wedding vendor for the very first time, and I was incredibly excited. In the middle of preparing everything, my stand mixer suddenly broke. I was devastated because I thought the opportunity I had worked so hard for was slipping away before I even had the chance to prove myself.
Without hesitation, my father dropped everything he was doing, took me to the store, and bought me my first KitchenAid mixer so I could finish preparing that same day. To him, it may have been a mixer, but to me it represented so much more. It was a reminder that my family believed in me and in the dream I was building, even before I fully believed in myself.
From there, BrimaBakes continued to grow and eventually evolved into BakedByBrima. After graduating from high school, I moved to Middle Tennessee to pursue a degree in Aerospace at Middle Tennessee State University. Although I relocated, I was determined not to leave my business behind. Today, I proudly serve clients throughout the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area while continuing to return home to Memphis whenever I can to create desserts for the community that first believed in me.
Looking back, it’s incredible to think that what started as cupcakes for a group of healthcare workers has grown into a business that allows me to celebrate alongside so many families. None of it would have been possible without God first, my family’s unwavering support, loyal customers, and a community that believed in me from the very beginning.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I believe every challenge has helped shape me into the business owner I am today.
One of my biggest challenges came after moving from Memphis to Middle Tennessee to attend Middle Tennessee State University. Like many freshmen, I was adjusting to living away from home for the first time while dealing with homesickness, a demanding college workload, and trying to keep BakedByBrima running from a new city. Finding a healthy balance between school, my personal life, and my business was something I wasn’t prepared for, and there were moments when I questioned whether I could successfully manage it all.
On top of that, building a customer base in a completely new area meant starting over in many ways. In Memphis, people knew my work and my name. In Middle Tennessee, I had to earn that trust all over again. Rather than allowing that to discourage me, I focused on becoming involved in my campus community. I began sharing my work through word of mouth with classmates, friends, and organizations, allowing relationships to naturally introduce new people to BakedByBrima.
One of the biggest turning points for me was joining Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Inc. Zeta Psi Chapter in the spring of 2023. Becoming part of a community of student leaders and entrepreneurs not only helped me grow professionally but also expanded my network and gave me opportunities to connect with people who genuinely supported my business. It reminded me that success isn’t something you build alone it’s built through relationships, community, and consistently showing up.
Looking back, those challenges taught me that growing a business isn’t just about creating great products. It’s about building trust, investing in people, and staying consistent even when you’re starting from scratch.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about BakedByBrima?
BakedByBrima is a custom dessert business specializing in celebration cakes, wedding cakes, dessert tables, cupcakes, cookies, chocolate-covered strawberries, and other handcrafted treats designed to make life’s biggest moments even more memorable. While I create desserts for all occasions, I have developed a true passion for designing wedding cakes and being part of one of the most important days in a couple’s life.
What sets BakedByBrima apart is the experience I strive to create for every client. I believe ordering a custom cake should feel personal, collaborative, and exciting. I take the time to get to know my clients, understand their vision, and create a dessert that not only looks beautiful but tastes just as incredible. Every order is handcrafted with attention to detail because I know these desserts often become the centerpiece of a celebration.
As an artist, I love pushing myself creatively. No two cakes are exactly alike because every client has a different story to tell, and I enjoy bringing those ideas to life in a way that reflects their personality and style. Whether it’s an elegant wedding cake, a birthday cake inspired by a favorite hobby, or a dessert table for a special event, my goal is always to create something that people will remember long after the celebration is over.
One thing I’m especially proud of is how BakedByBrima has grown almost entirely through word of mouth, repeat customers, and the incredible support of my community. Knowing that families continue to trust me with birthdays, baby showers, weddings, graduations, and other milestone events is something I never take for granted. There is no greater compliment than having someone come back year after year and recommend my business to their family and friends.
As the business continues to grow, my vision is to establish BakedByBrima as a premier custom cake studio serving both Middle and West Tennessee. I want people to know that when they choose BakedByBrima, they’re not just ordering dessert, but they’re investing in a personalized experience created with creativity, care, and a genuine passion for celebrating life’s greatest moments.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
When I think about risk, I don’t immediately think about starting a business, I think about my family a lot and even my friends who have turned into family.
My parents made one of the greatest sacrifices imaginable when they left Sierra Leone to build a new life in the United States. As a first-generation American, I was raised watching them lead with faith, resilience, and an incredible work ethic. My older sister, Betty, also showed me what it looks like to pursue your dreams with determination. Their example has always reminded me that some of life’s greatest rewards come from having the courage to step into the unknown.
That mindset has shaped every part of my life. At 16, I took a chance on starting BakedByBrima during the pandemic without knowing where it would lead. I’ve also pursued another lifelong passion: acting.
In 2022, I had the incredible opportunity to compete in the Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards (HSMTAs) in Memphis, representing Germantown High School for my performance as Reverend Shaw in Footloose. The competition brought together students from 38 high schools across the Mid-South and three states, and I was honored to receive the Outstanding Lead Actor award. That opportunity led me to New York City to represent the Mid-South at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, better known as the Jimmy Awards, where I had the privilege of performing on Broadway.
Beyond the recognition, that experience gave me something even more valuable: lifelong friendships. One of those friendships was with fellow Jimmy Awards participant Josh Thone. Our connection didn’t end in New York. In 2023, Josh invited me to join his production of Josh Thone & Company, where I performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Wisconsin as Joseph. That experience reminded me that some of the greatest opportunities don’t come from chasing accolades, they come from the relationships you build along the way.
I’ve also been blessed with people who continue to push me forward. My best friend of 7 years, Asia, constantly challenges me to step outside of my comfort zone. Watching her overcome adversity and earn her college degree has been a reminder this season that perseverance always pays off. My older sister, Kadiatu, has been my biggest cheerleader through every season of life. She’s seen me at my lowest, celebrated my highest moments, and has always gone above and beyond for her little brother. Their belief in me has often come before my own, and I’ll never take that for granted.
I love to look at life through the lens of Proverbs 16:3: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” That verse has become the foundation for how I approach every opportunity. Whether it’s baking, acting, or pursuing higher education, I believe my responsibility is to prepare, work hard, and faithfully use the gifts God has given me. The outcome is in His hands. If a door is meant for me, I trust that God will open it while continuing to equip me for whatever comes next.
Pricing:
- Every order is custom designed and priced based on serving size, design, and level of detail.
- Complimentary consultations are available for custom celebrations and weddings.
- To receive a personalized quote, clients can submit an inquiry through my social media or preferred contact methods.
- Wedding cake tastings are available by appointment.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bakedbybrima
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrimaBakes
