A Northwestern State student-athlete is proving that discipline on the pitcher’s mound can also translate into entrepreneurship.

Balancing academics, athletics, and business ownership, junior baseball pitcher and hospitality management major Kevin Robinson has turned his love for baking into K-Rob’s Kitchen, a growing venture rooted in family traditions and community support.

Robinson said school and baseball remain his top priorities, and NSU has provided the structure to manage both. Time management became the first skill he had to master, and his business fits around that schedule, often late at night or on weekends. His parents frequently step in to help when he travels between Natchitoches and his hometown of Shreveport, where most of his baking supplies and equipment are kept.

The inspiration for K-Rob’s Kitchen began at age 17 when he sold a pumpkin pie recipe passed down by a mentor to raise funds for a mission trip. That experience, along with family holiday traditions centered on pies, pralines, and cookies, laid the foundation for his business. Many of his signature items—including cinnamon rolls, pralines, and Snickerdoodles—carry personal meaning tied to his grandmother, his mentor, and his family.

Robinson, a Byrd High School standout who was the Shreveport-Bossier Journal “Outstanding Player” as a senior in 2023, said coming to Northwestern was part of his faith journey. A meeting with Demons’ baseball coach Chris Bertrand and a visit to the university’s Hospitality Management and Tourism department confirmed his decision.

The combination of baseball, culinary studies, and faith-based student organizations such as FCA and BCM provided him with the balance he sought in college. His classes in the HMT department have also given him practical business and baking skills that tie directly to K-Rob’s Kitchen.

The discipline learned through baseball has shaped how he runs his business. He compares the consistency and focus required of a pitcher to the detail and preparation needed in baking. Just as he relies on his teammates on the field, he relies on his parents and family—his “volunteer employees”—to keep the business running when he is away.

Support from the NSU and Natchitoches community has also been key. His first opportunity to sell came at the NSU Baseball auction, and from there, fans, students, and local families have embraced his products. Through experiences from being included in Northwestern’s Presidential Leadership Program and an invitation to attend the NCAA student-athlete leadership conference, Robertson has grown in leadership while building his business. He credits coaches, professors, and peers for equipping him with life and professional skills.

The biggest challenge has been the constant travel between Natchitoches and Shreveport, but Robinson  said the rewards outweigh the difficulties. Seeing people enjoy his baked goods and knowing they carry his family’s traditions has been the most fulfilling part.

Looking to the future, Robinson hopes to expand K-Rob’s Kitchen with a more permanent space and new recipes drawn from family heritage. He envisions growth through storefronts, shipping, or continued community involvement, always keeping the business rooted in faith, family, and tradition.

Reflecting on his journey, Robinson said he never imagined selling pies in high school would lead to running a business in college. With Jeremiah 29:11 stitched on his baseball glove as a reminder of his faith, he credits God, family, and community with helping him manage the balance between school, baseball, and business.