Meet KaLia Bernstein

We recently connected with KaLia Bernstein and have shared our conversation below.

KaLia, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

I work hard to remind myself that I can do anything I set my mind to and that even though my journey or background may look different than that of those around me, it doesn’t limit me from achieving what I want in life.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I run a home-based microbakery where I focus on seasonal flavors and new takes on classic recipes, using as many local and pure ingredients as possible. I love adding unique twists and creating not just desserts, but stories—because for me, there’s a story behind every recipe. That’s also why I started my Substack, Pastry Paradise, to combine recipes and storytelling. Through it, I share recipes, encourage self-care, and inspire amateur bakers to try things themselves, not just buy from me. Baking is very connected to mental health for me, so I weave that into my content and community. Right now, I’m also expanding into teaching culinary classes and hosting small events in the Denver Metro area.

In addition to my bakery, I work as a Social Media Strategist and Content Creator. I run my own pages as well as Radiantly, a boutique social media brand where I help entrepreneurs craft authentic content that spreads their vision and connects with their audience.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I think three qualities have been most impactful for me.

The first is persistence in spite of setbacks—because in both baking and business, things don’t always go the way you planned. Learning to keep going, experiment, and try again has been essential.

The second is passion and genuine interest. I didn’t just fall into baking or social media; I’ve been curious and excited to learn more at every stage. That passion has kept me motivated and has naturally built up my experience over time.

The third is being a self-starter with entrepreneurial skills. I’m self-taught in many areas, from recipe development to social media strategy, and that willingness to teach myself and take initiative has opened a lot of doors.

For someone early in their journey, my advice would be: don’t be afraid to fail or start small—persistence matters more than perfection. Follow what you’re genuinely interested in, because passion is what keeps you learning when it gets hard. And finally, be resourceful: there are so many tools and communities out there to help you grow. You don’t have to wait until you’re an expert to begin—you learn by doing.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m definitely open to collaboration. I’d love to connect with people who are interested in co-creating classes and community events, as well as local businesses who might want to host my bakery for pop-ups. I’m also especially excited to meet others who are passionate about the intersection of baking and mental health, since that’s such an important part of my work and storytelling and I want to share it with the community.

If that resonates with you, I’d love to connect—feel free to reach out to me on Instagram at @kaliabernstein.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Digital Odyssey Media, Julien Motola

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