Meet Bria Russ of Los Angeles County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bria Russ.

Hi Bria, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was little, the kitchen has been my happy place. Some of my favorite memories are being beside my granny! Learning her recipes, laughing, cooking, dancing, and sneaking a few tastes along the way. Holidays always meant traditional meals and, most importantly, desserts: lemon pie, pecan pie, sweet potato pie, and my absolute favorite, banana pudding. We were always playfully fighting over the last bite, and let’s be real, we still do!

I’ve always loved cooking and playing around with different flavors, but for a long time, it was simply something I enjoyed. I prayed for a hobby I could enjoy in my free time…something creative that brought me joy without feeling like another job after my 9-to-5. Looking back, I realize what I was praying for had been right in front of me all along.

After getting tired of bringing store-bought sweets or utensils to gatherings (LOL), I decided to make my granny’s banana pudding instead. I’m so glad I did! The reactions were everything: “This is so good!” and “You need to sell this!” I’d immediately call my mom and granny to tell them how much everyone loved it, just like we do.

I’ve always been someone who can come up with great ideas and then immediately think of all the reasons I shouldn’t do it. But having people believe in me helped turn my “I can’t” into “I think I can.” I truly don’t know if I would’ve taken the leap without the support of my boyfriend, my coworkers (shoutout to you guys!), and of course, my family.

Then came the moment that changed everything. At a Pilates event with Bloom and Flow Collective, I asked the event coordinator about becoming a vendor. When she asked what I wanted to sell, I immediately said, “Banana pudding.” She offered me a spot at the next event, and I’m so grateful to her for believing in me and giving me that opportunity.

I took it as my sign to go for it, and the rest is history. Homemade by Bria was born.

What started as something I loved doing for fun has become something I’m continuing to build with love, creativity, and intention. I’ve realized these aren’t just desserts, they’re tradition, memories, and little reminders of home. Every banana pudding carries a piece of where I come from, and there’s something so special about being able to share that with others and create sweet moments that bring people together.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Aside from simply taking the leap of faith and getting started, honestly, the hardest part of this journey has been learning how to actually build a business. I’ve never done this before, and I didn’t grow up seeing it done firsthand, so I’ve been learning as I go. And when I tell you Google has been my best friend these past seven months, I mean it! I will read up on something and then run it past other new vendors and people who are seasoned in the field.

Another unexpected part of my journey has been learning how important social media and content are. I was never big on using my personal profile. I was the type of person who would post today, and you might not see me again for another six months to a year. In everyday life, that’s perfectly fine. But when you’re building a business, your content, marketing, personality, and the connections you make are all valuable.

Which leads me to my final struggle, time. If you remember I mentioned wanting to find something that didn’t feel like a job because I already have my 9-5. The funny thing is, when you first start, even as it simply being a hobby, you will spend so much time perfecting your craft. You’ll wear many hats and although I knew this, I had no idea what that would look like. Not only do I make the banana pudding, I’m also the creative director, the event coordinator, the person setting up and tabling, managing the finances, handling marketing and social media, and everything in between.

When I tell you I had no idea what I was getting myself into! I could literally laugh out loud at myself because I wasn’t looking for a second job and ended up with multiple. But on a serious note, surprisingly, learning all these different sides of the business has been one of the most interesting parts of the journey. I’m learning something new every day, figuring things out as I go, and growing right alongside my brand. I will say, it takes a lot of dedication and effort.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I make banana pudding and other custard-style desserts, but if you know me, you know banana pudding is my thing!

I specialize in perfectly portioned puddin’s because I’m a firm believer that you can enjoy something sweet without having to overdo it. As someone who is health & wellness-minded, balance is important to me. And honestly, that philosophy started when I was growing up.

I had the BIGGEST sweet tooth, and my mom would always tell me, “You don’t need to overdo it, just grab a little taste.”

Well… that stuck with me!
Whether it’s beautifully served from a tray or packaged in a perfectly prepped cup, my goal is to give you just enough to satisfy that sweet craving without feeling like you’ve overdone it.

What I’m most proud of is my ability to take a classic dessert and turn it into an elevated experience. Banana pudding may be familiar, but I believe the details and creativity make it memorable.

What sets me apart is my attention to detail, creativity, and the experience I create around my desserts. I want my table to catch your eye, my personality to capture your heart, and my banana pudding to satisfy your taste buds.
At the end of the day, it’s more than puddin’ to me. It’s a little taste of tradition, a whole lot of personality, and a sweet experience you’ll want to come back for.

How do you think about happiness?
One of the things that makes me happiest is seeing how excited my family gets every time I share a successful event with them, especially my granny. She puts so much time, love, and care into her dishes and recipes, so being able to share her banana pudding, build a business around it, and see how proud and excited it makes her brings me so much joy.

Another thing that genuinely makes me happy is seeing the incredible and supportive community that Homemade by Bria has attracted. Watching everyone taste the desserts, seeing the smiles on their faces, and even seeing those empty cups at the end is such a rewarding feeling. It reminds me why I love what I do and makes me so excited to continue creating, sharing, and bringing people together through something I truly love.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homemadebybria

 

Image Credits
Kiki Dickie
Kiki the Creative
@kiki_the_creative