Birmingham, you’ve got to try these pound cakes by Simply Sonequa

When Sonequa Murray fired up her oven in 2012 to bake pound cakes for a bake sale, she had no idea she was actually igniting her own wildly successful baking business. Read more about the woman behind the apron and her delicious cakes—just in time to make your Valentine’s Day order.

How It All Began For Simply Sonequa

After the original bake sale, Sonequa said her phone started ringing off the hook with people wanting more of her poundcake. Perfect timing, she said, as she was recently laid off from work and was caring for her father, who was ill.

“I heard God say, use your hands. So that’s what I did,” said Sonequa. “I got my business and food prep licenses and got to work in the kitchen!”

She continued to fulfill orders under the brand name Simply Sonequa. Form there, she quickly started getting calls to sell her goods at vendor events and local markets like the Woodlawn Market and Pizitz Food Hall.

Turning up the heat with Birmingham pound cakes

This past Thanksgiving, she fulfilled sixty eight orders, all from her own kitchen. She’s also branched out into weddings and other big time events. Can you believe she’s done all of this and only had to replace her oven once?

“I had to pray over that new oven and really give it a talking to. We had big orders to fill that weekend and needed to work together. Thankfully we did!”

What sets her apart?

Aside from her spunky personality and can-do attitude?

“Innovation,” said Sonequa.

“I’m constantly looking for ways to think out of the box in both flavor and with my artistic show of the cakes. There are a thousand people in the business in Birmingham. The success with my business has come from being different—and I embrace that,” she said.

Out of The Box Pound Cakes

Sonequa pushes the envelope with her cake flavors and serving methods. Her constantly changing menu features the original favorites such as vanilla and strawberry, but also includes outliers such as sweet potato, Oreo and Crown Royal infused apple.

Next to try on our list? Lemon Blueberry and Brown Sugar Caramel. YUM.

Sonequa plans to rebrand to the name Queen Pound Cakes in the coming months, so be sure to note the name change and follow her on Facebook here. You can also order through Facebook messenger or email simplysonequa@gmail.com.

If you’re needing an immediate fix or small portion, stop by Pizitz any weekend through March or purchase from Simply Sonequa kiosks in the Galleria and Western Hills malls, also open on weekends. Get there early—top flavors often sell out by noon!