Vibe Check The Business of Black Women: Ashley Cunningham
Mar 6, 2026
Ashley Cunningham, baker and owner of Bad Ash Bakes known for viral cinnamon rolls and community-first leadership. She recounts starting in cooking competitions, life as a private chef for athletes, and the pivot to a baking business after going viral. Conversations cover the physical toll of baking, building a kinder kitchen crew, choosing a brick-and-mortar in Pasadena, and creating a brand rooted in care and connection.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Schedule Physical Care As Nonnegotiable
- Prioritize physical self-care when your work is physically taxing: schedule regular massages and weekly physical therapy.
- Ashley uses monthly massages and weekly physical therapy to manage chronic pain from years on her feet and repetitive motions.
Forged On The Restaurant Line
- Ashley describes her early restaurant experience working the line at Katsuya and being the only woman on the line.
- She learned to move fast, prove herself, and developed grit from a hostile, high-pressure kitchen environment that forged her confidence.
Love Made Visible Shapes Workplace Culture
- Ashley shifted deliberately from a toxic kitchen culture to create a bakery culture rooted in kindness and joy.
- Her tagline 'Love Made Visible' translates to daily practices: laughter, music, high standards, and staff-to-staff support that shape the food.