Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maneeka Beasley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Maneeka, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?
We pride ourselves on providing the best customer service ever. An event we had at Flux GR we had one customer who was amazed by our work of one of our holiday items Hot Chocolate Bombs we didn’t have enough for her to purchase because she wanted to have them to make as a christmas activity for her grandchildren, so I advise her that i’ll have more available in a week and she can come pick them up. However, she did purchase our seasonal flavor cake jar Red Velvet and when she came to purchase her coco bombs two weeks later at another event, she informed me that her and her sister really enjoyed the red velvet cake and it was made just like their Mother would make it. This customer review of our cake jars allowed the customer to reflect on a memorable sweet treat her mother made is one way our cake jars had a nostalgia which embraces them in tasting our sweet treat, that transport them back to cherished moments with their mother. Each taste is a sweet journey through comforting memories, a blend of love and sweetness lingering on the palate.
Maneeka, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My love for baking began 20 years ago; I’ve loved making cakes–cake jars, that is. In 2016, I started a home-base business called Flavorful Pound Cakes and Treats (FPC), making custom cakes, treats, and cake jars. I loved every minute of it!
During the pandemic I had time to reflect, and knew I wanted more. Thus, I made the decision to use the competencies that I learned in my graduate education to pivot the focus of FPC to creating a long-term viable business. I wanted to design a business that not only allowed me to spend more time with my family, but still share my love for baking in a scalable simpler way. After careful consideration–to ensure that the pivot made business sense, I decided to take my 20 plus years of baking experience, became a fully license business, operating out of the Downtown Marker and offer savory, sweet surprises for customers to enjoy–in a jar. Cakes by the Jar (CBTJ) offers 4 ounce jar cakes in a single serving size, features four signature flavors: Straw buh-buh berry shortcake, Chocolate High Toffee-Mel, Lemon Crunch Cake, and Vanilla Milkshake, with one additional flavor offered every quarter. In addition, we offer two gluten free line of cake jars as this market is expanding. Our line of cake jars are the perfect portion size, unique, for catering events, and convenient for an on-the-go lifestyle. The smaller portion sizes also maximize freshness, quality, and minimize waste. Our cake jars have a 7-day shelf life, and can be frozen for up to two months. In essence, our cake jars keep our customers wanting more, and our goal is to provide a great customer experience by making our community a sweeter place.
We are most proud of our strong brand awareness and have received numerous awards for our products. These awards include: participation in Start Garden Demo Day Fall 2022 and 2023, the Edith Raspberry award from Grand Rapids Area Black-Owned Business December 2022, Start Garden 5×5 Winner April 2023, Cuisine Award for Women Big Business Showcase sponsored by Huntington Bank and Charity Christine Suites May 2023 , and 1st Place Winner for SBDC Pitch Black Competition September 2023. Feature in a new TV series that’s called Let’s Help Win which airs in March 2024.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Cakes by the Jar Deliver consistent high-quality baked goods to build trust and loyalty among customers. What Differentiate CBTJ in creating unique and innovative baked goods that stand out in the market. We Showcase our passion for baking and continually enhance our skills. Expertise contributes to a positive reputation. We love to Interact with our customers, seek feedback, and create a community around our brand through social media or other platforms. CBTJ Conduct our baking business with professionalism. Timely deliveries, clear communication, and a professional image contribute to a positive reputation.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The biggest lessons as an entrepreneur I’ve learned in the baking industry is the importance of precision and consistency. Baking is both an art and a science, and small variations can have a big impact on the final product. Developing a keen attention to detail and maintaining consistency in measurements and techniques is crucial for achieving successful and delicious results in baking. CBTJ pride itself in knowing we give a great tasting product all the time in keeping our customers happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cakesbythejar.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/cakesbythejar0
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/cakesbythejar
Image Credits
Stephen Smith Downtown Market