When did you receive a SEED Grant and how has it impacted your business?
Receiving a grant was a game-changer for my cake business. It gave me the financial support I needed to expand beyond just baking from home. With the grant, they purchased me a commercial oven. The JAWED classes coupled with my Business Administration degree helped me to learn the importance of professional packaging and branding, which made a huge difference in how my products were presented to customers. Most importantly, it gave me the confidence to take my business seriously and plan for growth. Thanks to the grant, I’ve been able to serve more clients, increase my revenue, and begin building a name for myself in the local baking community.
Cheryl Cheadle
Owner of Fancy Cakes
Fancy Cakes, LLC was established in 2023 in Columbia, Missouri by Cheryl Cheadle, whose passion for baking began with creating pound cakes for family and friends. Inspired by cherished memories and the encouragement of loved ones, Cheryl turned her love for baking into a business following the passing of her mother-in-law and brother—her first taste-testers and biggest supporters.
Fancy Cakes LLC with the support of a grant from the JAWED Foundation and leveraging her Business Administration degree, Cheryl combined her culinary talents with effective marketing strategies to grow Fancy Cakes, LLC. Today, the company is recognized at vendor shows and special events throughout the region. Fancy Cakes LLC is dedicated to using high-quality ingredients to craft delicious and distinctive pound cakes for all occasions—from holidays and weddings to baby showers and everyday celebrations.
What does being nominated for our MBE of the Year award mean to you?
This nomination reflects more than professional achievement; it recognizes the unique challenges that come with navigating spaces where one’s identity may not always be fully seen or valued. It honors the courage to lead, the strength to innovate, and the commitment to creating positive change—often against the odds. To be nominated is to be recognized not only for excellence, but for breaking ground, opening doors, and inspiring others from similar backgrounds. It affirms that diversity matters, that inclusion is necessary, and that the voices and work of minority communities are essential to shaping a better, more equitable world.