From HR Pro to Baking Boss: How Kayla Johnson Built Kay Marie Bakes
From a young age, Kayla Johnson enjoyed baking alongside her mother, but in 2020, her favorite pastime evolved into a thriving business. Like many during the pandemic, Johnson — who now serves as a People & Culture Business Partner in KFC’s Digital & Technology division — found comfort in watching baking shows. One episode struck a chord when she saw a contestant from her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, take the spotlight.
“It made me believe I could aim high, too,” Johnson shared. “At the time, I wasn’t sure where baking could take me, but I thought, ‘Why not start somewhere?’ So I ordered a cake decorating kit in August 2020 — though it stayed unopened until November.”
That fall, she finally put the kit to use, experimenting with a strawberry crunch cake for her family’s Thanksgiving celebration. Their positive response encouraged her to take things further. Just a month later, she launched Kay Marie Bakes. Capitalizing on the rising popularity of hot cocoa bombs that winter, she managed to sell over 2,500 units in just three weeks — a standout experience she later highlighted during her interview for a human resources role at KFC in 2021.
“I sensed she was hesitant to mention her side business,” recalled Julie Lloyd, Director of Human Resources at Yum! Brands. “But we actually value and support employees who have passions beyond their primary roles.”
Nearly four years into her HR career, Johnson has mastered the art of balancing both her professional responsibilities and her entrepreneurial pursuits.
“During the week, I focus fully on my HR work,” she explained. “Evenings and weekends are for baking — whether it’s fulfilling orders, experimenting with new recipes, or handling the operational aspects. Baking is more than just work for me; it’s a creative escape.”
However, starting a business wasn’t without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles early on was learning to manage her time effectively. Johnson admitted that she initially took on more than she could handle, resulting in late nights and added stress. She eventually had to set boundaries and sometimes even decline orders. Still, her people-centered approach helped her navigate tough situations and build resilience. “Each obstacle has taught me something and helped me improve how I run the business,” she said.
Today, Johnson is affectionately known among her colleagues as the “dessert person” — a title she’s carried since her school days when she often baked for friends. Her coworkers frequently place orders for personal and corporate occasions, and she’s a featured vendor at the company’s annual holiday markets and Valentine’s Day pop-up events.
Her desserts have even garnered wider recognition, including a feature in Kentucky Bride Magazine. For one wedding, she created a dessert table that honored both the groom’s Southern roots and the bride’s Filipino heritage. The menu included Southern favorites like peach cobbler, banana pudding, and bourbon balls alongside Filipino-inspired treats such as Ube brownies and Calamansi citrus bars.
“I’m truly thankful to work at a company that embraces and uplifts my entrepreneurial spirit,” Johnson said. “One day, I hope to open my own storefront, and my leadership team continues to equip me with the skills to get there. That kind of support is rare.”
Yum! Brands — KFC’s parent company — has even earned a spot on TIME magazine’s list of Best Companies for Future Leaders for two consecutive years, reinforcing its commitment to developing talent and nurturing aspiring entrepreneurs like Johnson.
“Right now, I feel I’m thriving in both worlds,” she added. “KFC is helping shape me into a leader, and I get to apply those lessons through Kay Marie Bakes. Who knows — maybe one day I’ll be making desserts for KFC itself.”
Now that would truly be a recipe for success.
“It made me believe I could aim high, too,” Johnson shared. “At the time, I wasn’t sure where baking could take me, but I thought, ‘Why not start somewhere?’ So I ordered a cake decorating kit in August 2020 — though it stayed unopened until November.”
That fall, she finally put the kit to use, experimenting with a strawberry crunch cake for her family’s Thanksgiving celebration. Their positive response encouraged her to take things further. Just a month later, she launched Kay Marie Bakes. Capitalizing on the rising popularity of hot cocoa bombs that winter, she managed to sell over 2,500 units in just three weeks — a standout experience she later highlighted during her interview for a human resources role at KFC in 2021.
“I sensed she was hesitant to mention her side business,” recalled Julie Lloyd, Director of Human Resources at Yum! Brands. “But we actually value and support employees who have passions beyond their primary roles.”
Nearly four years into her HR career, Johnson has mastered the art of balancing both her professional responsibilities and her entrepreneurial pursuits.
“During the week, I focus fully on my HR work,” she explained. “Evenings and weekends are for baking — whether it’s fulfilling orders, experimenting with new recipes, or handling the operational aspects. Baking is more than just work for me; it’s a creative escape.”
However, starting a business wasn’t without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles early on was learning to manage her time effectively. Johnson admitted that she initially took on more than she could handle, resulting in late nights and added stress. She eventually had to set boundaries and sometimes even decline orders. Still, her people-centered approach helped her navigate tough situations and build resilience. “Each obstacle has taught me something and helped me improve how I run the business,” she said.
Today, Johnson is affectionately known among her colleagues as the “dessert person” — a title she’s carried since her school days when she often baked for friends. Her coworkers frequently place orders for personal and corporate occasions, and she’s a featured vendor at the company’s annual holiday markets and Valentine’s Day pop-up events.
Her desserts have even garnered wider recognition, including a feature in Kentucky Bride Magazine. For one wedding, she created a dessert table that honored both the groom’s Southern roots and the bride’s Filipino heritage. The menu included Southern favorites like peach cobbler, banana pudding, and bourbon balls alongside Filipino-inspired treats such as Ube brownies and Calamansi citrus bars.
“I’m truly thankful to work at a company that embraces and uplifts my entrepreneurial spirit,” Johnson said. “One day, I hope to open my own storefront, and my leadership team continues to equip me with the skills to get there. That kind of support is rare.”
Yum! Brands — KFC’s parent company — has even earned a spot on TIME magazine’s list of Best Companies for Future Leaders for two consecutive years, reinforcing its commitment to developing talent and nurturing aspiring entrepreneurs like Johnson.
“Right now, I feel I’m thriving in both worlds,” she added. “KFC is helping shape me into a leader, and I get to apply those lessons through Kay Marie Bakes. Who knows — maybe one day I’ll be making desserts for KFC itself.”
Now that would truly be a recipe for success.
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