Going viral saved my bakery, but it's never been about the money for me

Jatee Kearsley is the owner and pastry chef of Je T'aime Patisserie.

Courtesy of Jatee Kearsley

• Jatee Kearsley's bakery, Je T'aime Patisserie, gained fame after a viral feature on Righteous Eats.
• Going viral changed the trajectory of her business but took a toll on her mental health.
• Kearsley says she wouldn't want to go viral again, even though that may sound ungrateful.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jatee Kearsley, the owner and pastry chef of Je T'aime Patisserie...