Hi! I am Katrinka Gayles, the face behind Sweetrinkas. Although I have many passions, baking has become a lifeline for me; the lifeline that has fueled Sweetrinkas, a small bakery specializing in made-to-order goods, located in Red Oak, Virginia.

My story goes a little something like this: I started Sweetrinkas during a very challenging time in my life. These circumstances led me to need a second income. On Mother’s Day 2018, I was researching how to make my mother an edible arrangement basket, when I ran across a DIY candied apple video. This distraction got my wheels turning about how this simple delicacy is normally only available at our small-town county fair. I wondered how I could make these available to our community more than once per year?

Needless to say, I went straight to work, practicing for weeks until I developed the skills to not only create the perfect candied apple… oh no - I was creating gourmet apples as well. Why stop at the dip, right? This was other-level stuff that has branched into the perfect over-the-top cheesecake, custom cakes, cookies and more that you can only get from Sweetrinkas!

So, my dear mother got her edible arrangement, and she got something much more valuable - a determined, independent daughter who built a business on the need to survive.

Today, my mission is to create the perfect treat for those who trust me with their celebration, because celebrations are important, right? Today, I work to inspire others to peel back those heavy layers that are holding you back and just go after your dreams. I work to teach others how to bake and I mentor other young entrepreneurs to just go after it. God made you in his image. You have the tools you need, the only thing holding you back is you.

That’s my story, and I hope it sweetens your outlook. Celebrate today!