Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikki Smith.
Hi Mikki, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started out, of course, as a home baking business and just taking small orders here and there. I am a mom of 3 and I was working my full-time job, which was a general manager for a tactical shop on the bases. I ran 3 different locations and did a lot of traveling. I was also doing a lot of vending events to try and help with the promoting of my business and products. When covid hit 2 out of 3 of my locations closed and I was only working 1. It gave me a lot more time to then focus on my business. I realized when I really focused on my business, I got great results and then the light bulb in my head came on. I thought to myself if I can take my energy and time and actually invest it into myself, then I can truly become and do what I love which is baking. So, in July of 2021, I resigned from my full-time job and went full-time with my business. I will say it was not an easy decision and leaving during a pandemic probably wasn’t the smartest either, but I will also say that I have no regrets and I’m trusting this process! My business is continuing to grow, and I have also recently started baking in a commercial kitchen that I rent and was able to open up my first retail location to sell my treats. I have also started cake and cupcake decorating classes for adults and children in my store as well. This entrepreneur thing can be an emotional rollercoaster, but I’m staying on this ride!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road at all. Lol. Some of the struggles are definitely financing a business. Every time I turn around, there is a new fee for something, and more and more products needing to be purchased. I know that I’m in the beginning stages, and they say you really don’t see profit in the first few years. I understand that more and more. The saying you have to spend money to make money is the truth! Another struggle is really building that strong customer base and selling not only your product but yourself as well to the customer. They have to trust and believe in you too, right?!? And spreading the word. People actually knowing where you are and what you offer so they can come shop with you. Social media can be a true struggle and confidence killer.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
My business is a baking business that offers many different baked goodies. I sell cakes, cupcakes, custom treats and custom cakes, wedding cakes, and more… I specialize in doing custom cakes and freestyle cakes. People can typically give me their color scheme or theme, and I can create from there. I am just truly proud of my brand in all. I offer nothing but quality products to my customers. I take pride in everything that I offer. A lot of people come back and say what do you put in these cakes; they are so addictive??? And I always answer LOVE. I put nothing but love in everything that I do.
I do offer other services such as my “Kake & Sips” This is a class where I teach you different decorating skills, but we have fun while we do it. I teach cake decorating and cupcake decorating classes right in store. I also offer traveling to the customer to conduct a Kake & Sip in the comfort of their home or event space as well.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Yes, I have taken many risks. But one big risk was leaving my full-time job. That was probably the biggest risk I’ve taken in life. I risked making steady and consistent money and security to betting it all on myself and building the security blanket I need. Especially being a full-time mom of 3 I truly took a risk. But risk-taking can be a good or bad thing. It’s either gonna work out or it’s not. But I always say you never know until you take the risk and do it!
Contact Info:
- Website: Mkakes.com/
- Instagram: mikkskakes
- Facebook: mikkskakes
