By the time entrepreneurial management student Katherine Kimball was 10 years old, her parents started charging her every time she baked because of how expensive her hobby had become. Now, with the support of the Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology at the BYU Marriott of School of Business, Kimball charges others for her desserts. But establishing her own business, she says, required more than improving her recipes—she first had to learn to be confident in herself.
From St. George, Utah, Kimball initially came to BYU to study and become a doctor. Though she loved the idea of a medical career, after a year and a half of studies, she says she felt something needed to change. “I realized over time that I was pursuing it more because of how it was perceived rather than because it was what I wanted for myself.”
While she knew which path to leave, Kimball says she didn’t know which path to pursue. “I had to learn that I didn’t need to have everything figured out,” Kimball says. “I knew medicine wasn’t right for me, but I trusted that God had a better plan—even though I didn’t know what that plan was.”
One thing Kimball did know was that she loved to bake. So she started building her own baking business, KC Pattiserie, and promoting through social media. Meanwhile, her then-boyfriend (now husband) introduced her to a variety of resources within the Rollins Center. “I was constantly around people who were studying entrepreneurship, working on businesses, and involved with faculty,” Kimball says. “I really loved the environment and the people I met through those experiences.”
Kimball’s experiences with the Rollins Center led her to apply to the entrepreneurial management program, and she was accepted in fall 2025. But getting into the program didn’t instill automatic confidence in her entrepreneurial abilities, Kimball says. “I’ve always been a perfectionist and a high achiever. That’s been a challenge as I’ve tried to build my business.”
Overcoming a perfectionist mindset is a continual process, she explains, and her experiences in the program encourage her growth. Kimball and her husband enrolled in a class together, and during one lecture, her husband talked about her company with the class. “It was a bit uncomfortable when he did that because I don’t like to tell everyone about what I am doing unless I feel confident in it,” she says. “But when everyone asked me about my business after class, I realized the value of advocating for my brand.”
She says she also gained confidence in her entrepreneurship by applying principles of Christlike leadership. “I try to be as helpful and supportive as possible, especially with people who could be considered my competition,” Kimball says. “I don’t think there should only be one cake business in Utah; there is room for everybody in this world.”
Her efforts to support others extend beyond the baking community. In February, she began shadowing the copresidents for the Women in Entrepreneurship (WE) student association to prepare for assuming the position in the fall. “I just really want to help more women feel empowered and confident in their abilities,” Kimball says. “I’ve noticed in myself and a lot of other women that we struggle to just jump in and start our company because we want to know everything and be prepared for every possibility.”
For her, overcoming her own self-doubt comes as she leans on her relationships with God and Jesus Christ. Kimball explains that after launching her company, she was perusing Facebook Marketplace when she had a thought to advertise her company on there. Although nervous it would be unsuccessful, she followed through. She received 50 inquiries from the posted ad and continues to get interested buyers many months later. “I’ve learned as I’ve developed my company that the Lord loves effort,” Kimball says. “He cares about what I care about.”
As she continues to grow her business and prepares to lead in WE, Kimball says she hopes her experiences can help others move forward through uncertainty. “I’ve learned that overcoming self-doubt requires me to involve the Lord in my decisions and reminding myself that I don’t need to be perfect.”
