As CEO of Grind Pretty and a longtime friend and makeup artist for Angela Simmons, I've had the privilege of watching Angela continue to evolve into a powerhouse entrepreneur, philanthropist, and an awesome mom. From her latest venture in vegan pancakes with Angela's Cakes to her impactful nonprofit, Angela's Angels, Angela embodies what it means to "grind pretty"—grit wrapped in elegance, determination matched with compassion. In this heartfelt interview, Angela shares her journey of balancing life as a mother, business mogul, and public figure while maintaining a steadfast commitment to giving back. Get ready to be inspired by her wisdom on collaboration, self-care, and the unwavering faith that fuels her resilience.
GP: So let's talk about Angela's Cakes.
Angela: So I started Angela's Cakes about a year ago. I really love pancakes and I realized there were no vegan pancakes. And so we started Angela's Cakes. I worked with Pinky Cole and we've been growing ever since. We're still a baby, but we are growing.
GP: Where can we find it and what’s next for the brand?
Angela: Angela's Cakes is currently on eatangeliscakes.com, but we have just expanded to all Sugar Factory locations, which I'm super excited for, including the Bahamas and Vegas! Really fun locations. And also, we are officially on Amazon and Amazon Prime. You can get your Angela's Cakes in 2 days.
GP: So this one's about business and friendship. I know you're a girl's girl and you've done collaborations with me and other friends. What advice would you give to entrepreneurs who are considering going into business with a friend, and what have you learned from your own experiences?
Angela: So I would say that if you're going to collaborate or work with a friend on a project to make sure you keep business, business, and your friendship separate, which I know is really hard because it's a balancing thing. But the minute that you're putting your emotions in front of the business, it never works the right way. I think if you're dealing with someone you're really close with, then they understand when you put the business before the friendship when it comes to emotional decisions.It's all about balance. And if your friendship is not strong, don't go into business with them because you're not gonna be friends by then. That's what I will tell you for sure.
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Written by Mimi Johnson
Photographer and Wardrobe Stylist: Christopher Jamar Payne
Makeup: Mimi Johnson
Hair: Q Hardy
