Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonae Mickey.
Hi Jonae, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Ever since I was a little girl, my mom would tell me how I’d sit and watch cooking shows for hours. I always had an interest in the kitchen, and as I got older, I started experimenting with simple meals—things like eggs, bacon, toast, and eventually pancakes. My love for food grew even more in high school when I took a nutrition and food class. I looked forward to that class all year. While the nutrition lessons weren’t my favorite, I loved every moment we spent in the kitchen whether we were following recipes or creating on our own.
I can’t say there was a single moment where my passion for baking hit me. It kind of found me gradually. In my senior year of high school, I was accepted into three top culinary schools: The Culinary Institute of America, Johnson & Wales, and another amazing program. Unfortunately, I didn’t pursue those opportunities due to the financial burden and the overwhelming feeling of not being fully prepared. I ended up enrolling in Stratford University, but I struggled. I’m a hands-on learner, and sitting in a classroom wasn’t where I thrived. I eventually had to choose between working to support myself or continuing school without the means to pay. I chose to work.
Shortly after that, I became a mother at 20. My daughter is now 5, and I’m 26. Becoming a mom was the most life-changing and rewarding experience. It taught me how to persevere through anything. Even though life threw challenges my way from financial struggles to postpartum depression I never let go of the dream to one day pursue my passion.
In 2020, I had a small trial run selling cupcakes. It went well and I gained a decent clientele, but I didn’t feel fully ready. I like to have all my pieces in place before fully diving into something, so I stepped back. COVID hit hard, and between dealing with eviction, depression, and learning how to navigate motherhood, I had to put my dreams on hold.
Fast forward a few years, I met my now husband, Jaden Mickey. We’ve known each other for over 7 years, but when he came into my life at that moment, everything changed. He was another person who motivated me. I wanted to be better for him, for my daughter, for our family. His drive inspired mine, and together, we started pushing each other toward our goals. He enrolled in trade school, and I knew it was time to bet on myself too.
For a long time, people close to me would say I was wasting my talent. At 25, it finally clicked. I knew I couldn’t keep putting myself and my dreams on the back burner. I wanted to create something lasting. I came across Pray and Bake and hearing her story really motivated me to take the leap and build my brand.
I randomly decided one day at work to apply for my business trademark. That’s when Sweet Johnny’s was born. My name is Jonae, and I was named after my grandfather, Johnny Belton, who passed away when I was in kindergarten. He was my rock, my role model, and naming my business after him was my way of honoring him and creating a legacy. It felt right it felt like home.
My original name was Kamilah Kakes (Kamilah is my middle name), but it never felt complete. With help from my cousin Sambino, I brainstormed and landed on Sweet Johnny’s, and I’ve loved it ever since. Shout out to Daysia Taylor at Graphics by Day for bringing my vision to life with my logo.
Now, I’m growing my business with purpose. I want to inspire other young bakers especially those who feel stuck or unsure of their next step. I’ve been there. I’ve had to pause, pivot, and push through, but I’ve never given up. My journey isn’t perfect, but it’s mine and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth road?
Absolutely not this journey has been far from smooth. There have been a lot of challenges along the way. One of the biggest struggles has been wanting to learn from others in the industry, only to be met with gatekeeping. I understand that knowledge and skill have value, and people deserve to be paid for what they know but sometimes you’re just looking for a bit of guidance or someone who remembers what it felt like to be in your shoes, just starting out. More often than not, I’ve had to figure things out on my own and do the research myself. I’ve come to learn that if people want to help, they will but you can’t rely on that.
Another major challenge has been learning how to actually run a business. There’s so much that I didn’t know starting out and honestly, I’m still learning. It’s a lot of trial and error. From understanding your product, to deciding what to sell without overwhelming yourself, to making sure you have the right tools and not overextending yourself it’s a lot to balance. And even when things aren’t perfect, I still love it. I’m passionate about what I do, and I know my business will grow into what I always believed it could be… and should’ve been a long time ago.
But I also believe in God’s timing. I truly feel like He doesn’t give us things we’re not ready for or things we may misuse. Sometimes He will give it to us to see what we’ll do with it, and if we don’t cherish it, He’ll take it away. So for me, I know that none of this would’ve been possible without God. The blood, the sweat, the tears, and the countless prayers He carried me through it all. The moment I started recognizing my worth and putting myself first, I believe God began to provide and open doors for me. That’s the foundation of my story.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
By day, I’m an Administrative Assistant at Roberta’s House, a grief support center that specializes in helping individuals who are grieving the loss of loved ones. We focus on educating people about the stages of grief, how to process it, and providing a safe, supportive space for healing and expression. It’s incredibly meaningful work and I’m grateful to be a part of it.
Outside of that, I’m a part-time baker with a full-time dream. My goal is to grow Sweet Johnny’s into a full-time business. Baking has always been a creative outlet for me, and it’s something I truly love doing. If I had to pick my specialty right now, I’d say cupcakes they’re simple, quick to bake, and fun to decorate. That’s where I started and what I was known for early on.
Lately though, I’ve been diving more into custom cakes and that’s been a shift for me. Cakes are more of a challenge, and I actually love that. I’m learning and pushing myself with every order. I’m most proud of how far I’ve come. When I look back at where I started, it’s amazing to see the growth. I absolutely love confections and watching my progress evolve has been so rewarding.
I’m still working on perfecting certain techniques my piping skills and final coat of icing are areas I’m focused on right now. I’ve just about mastered my crumb coat, and now I’m working on getting more comfortable with stacking cakes and eventually working with fondant. There’s always something to learn, and that’s what keeps me inspired.
What sets me apart from others? Honestly me! I believe everyone has something unique that sets them apart, and I may not have fully tapped into exactly what that “thing” is for me just yet… and I think that’s okay. I’m still learning, still growing, and still discovering the creative edge that makes Sweet Johnny’s truly special.
But if I had to point to something right now, I’d say it’s my wild imagination and the creative combinations I come up with. I love playing with bold ideas and trying out concepts that aren’t your typical everyday cakes. Once I fully master bringing those ideas to life the way I see them in my head, I know I’m going to be a beast in this industry.
My goal is for someone to see one of my cakes and immediately say, “Oh, you must’ve gotten that from Sweet Johnny’s.” That’s the level of originality and impact I’m aiming for.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
When it comes to quality, I’ve always told myself that no matter how much I grow or how well-known Sweet Johnny’s becomes, I never want the quality of my product to change. I’ve seen people start small, build a name, and then somewhere along the way, the love, care, and attention to detail in their product fades. I don’t want that to be my story. I want my cakes to always be crafted with intention not rushed, not sloppy, not thrown together. I want each cake to have its own uniqueness but still carry a signature Sweet Johnny’s touch that makes it recognizable without even needing a label.
As far as characteristics, I’d say humility, professionalism, and kindness are most important to my success. In business especially in the service and creative space it’s easy to become jaded or frustrated. Clients don’t always know exactly what to ask for, and sometimes that can create tension or miscommunication. But I try to always keep in mind: we’re all human. I’m not just a baker I’m a wife, a mother, and I work a full-time job. I understand how overwhelming life can be, so I try to show people grace and communicate with compassion.
At the same time, I’ve learned the importance of discernment knowing when to be firm, when to say no, and when to protect my peace and boundaries. It’s tough because I’m naturally sweet and empathetic, and sometimes people take advantage of that. But I’m learning how to balance being kind with standing strong.
Unfortunately, here in Baltimore, there’s sometimes a reputation especially on social media for businesses being unprofessional or rude. I want to help change that narrative. Not just for myself, but for other women in business. I want to create opportunities for young women & men who were once like me curious, passionate, and just needing a chance. I remember not always having the money or resources, and I still believe in giving back. Whether that’s through free or low-cost classes, one-on-one sessions, cake & sips, or networking events I want to open doors for others the way I wish someone had done for me.
At the end of the day, the qualities that keep me going are humility, faith, compassion, and the understanding that every interaction is a reflection of not just my business, but my purpose.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Sweet.Johnnys
