A Sweet Journey in Business
Melissa Jernigan, a dear friend, neighbor, and Women for Women (W4W) member, recently shared her incredible entrepreneurial journey, kicking off our new storytelling series, “Growing Your Business”. At just 26, Melissa and her business partner, Helen, left their corporate jobs in search of a great idea. They recalled the breakroom treats in their former office—how baked goods brought people together and made for the perfect, built-in marketing tool. The result? Piece of Cake was born! The catch? Neither of them baked! From humble beginnings—baking cakes in Melissa’s apartment and delivering them to offices—their first major order from Robinson Humphrey propelled them forward. Starting with just three flavors (chocolate, carrot, and sour cream coffee cake), they grew their menu and their business, moving into a dedicated space without taking on debt.
For more than 35 years, Piece of Cake became a beloved institution, growing organically while maintaining Melissa’s philosophy of slow, sustainable expansion. She navigated hiring, payroll, and the ever-evolving landscape of business ownership, always emphasizing the importance of surrounding yourself with people who know more than you and having a trusted team for decision-making. While Piece of Cake thrived for decades, the financial stress of the pandemic led her to consider the next chapter. Recently, she made the monumental decision to sell the business to Chicken Salad Chick—what an incredible accomplishment! When I asked if she had any reservations, she reminded me that everything has a season, and she was ready to begin a new one. Though her journey with Piece of Cake has come to a close, she carries with her the lessons, memories, and the joy of building something truly special. Her story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and knowing when to take the next leap—even when it means letting go of something you’ve nurtured for decades.
You’ll love her heartfelt “love letter” to her mom in her new book, Piece of Cake: My Wild Ride from Banking to Baking. With hilarious stories that will keep you laughing, she takes you on her journey—one that will have you rooting for her every step of the way.
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