Today we’d like to introduce you to Juanita Wright.
Juanita, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Initially, I disliked cheesecake as a child. That is, until I tried authentic New York Style cheesecake. I started my baking journey with cheesecake as a teenager. The first cheesecake I made from scratch was lemon flavored, and though it wasn’t the greatest, I continued developing recipes. Years went by. One year, after receiving disappointing cupcakes from a large franchise bakery for my birthday, I realized I could be offering better, more flavorful products. However, my Cottage Food license restricted me from selling cheesecake, so I took to cake decorating classes and began creating desserts for events and farmers markets.
Right from the start, I struggled to secure a small business loan and faced challenges with customers being reluctant to pay for higher quality treats. It took a while, but over time, people began to appreciate my products. This eventually led to a loyal customer base. Finally, I raised enough to gain access to a shared commercial kitchen, allowing me to sell cheesecake legally. Still not being able to secure a business loan, I worked two jobs to support my dream. When COVID-19 hit, our selection and farmers market presence led to business growth, including a delivery gig to Tyler Perry Studios.
We became the first shop in South Atlanta to bake our own cheesecake from scratch that was solely inspired by traditional southern dessert flavors. We eventually decided to bring our Herbal Tea and Lemonade brand on board with 4 generations worth of recipes.
Baked Wright Bakery is a family, black woman run company.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have certainly been obstacles to overcome. When the economy faces difficulties, small businesses feel the impact. Competing with larger, more established bakeries in the vicinity is another challenge. The rise of home bakeries during the pandemic also presented unexpected competition. You may experience periods of discouragement and financial strain, particularly in the absence of adequate and reasonable funding. The trick is learning how to push forward and adjust as needed.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Baked Wright Bakery specializes in Southern-style cheesecake and herbal teas. We transform traditional, Southern pies and other desserts into delightful cheesecakes. Our commitment lies in providing the finest quality treats and beverages, which begins with selecting simple yet superior ingredients.
Quality Ingredients includes:
-Non-GMO sweeteners
-Organic eggs
-Natural flavors
This approach reflects our dedication to showing the community that natural ingredients truly taste better.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I feel that having a mentor that understands your industry is very helpful. Even perhaps many mentors that specialize in other relevant fields. Such as accounting, marketing, and business leasing. The SBA offers several free tools for small business owners to learn from. Attending local networking events are also good to consider. Especially for an extrovert. The SBA mentorship programs has helped me a lot.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bakedwrightbakery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bakedwright/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bakedwrightbakery
- Twitter: https://x.com/BakedWright
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZoLG-BRB0yqve7ByHYCkDQ
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bakedwrightbakery
Image Credits
Samonia Portraits
