April Anderson left a comfortable job to bet on herself.
According to the Detroit News, the entrepreneur left a six-figure paying job in corporate finance to pursue entrepreneurship and become a baker. According to the ILITCH Companies News Hub, Anderson envisioned a career path of baking for her family since she was nine years old.
“I’ve always loved doing things with my hands, so I think that’s why I love working with dough, whether it’s yeast rolls or cinnamon rolls or biscuits. I’m a hands-on learner,” she told Food & Wine magazine in 2019.
Anderson opened Good Cakes and Bakes with his spouse and co-owner Michelle Anderson in Detroit, Michigan in 2013. Through their joint efforts, the store has become nationally recognized for its organic desserts and baked goods, and by July 2023, they are opening a second store in Detroit, Michigan.
“We are excited to expand our presence [in] “We’re opening a new store in Detroit,” Anderson said at the time, according to the ILITCH Companies News Hub. “Columbia Street is a great opportunity for us to expose our baked goods to tourists and locals alike. We’ll be doing something a little different with this store – in addition to baked goods, we’ll also be serving coffee and breakfast items.”
According to the company’s website, Good Cakes and Bakes offers cookies, cupcakes, brownies, layer cakes, breakfast items, and vegan dessert options.
“This is a great example of connecting with an incredibly successful entrepreneur in the city of Detroit and becoming a part of her growth story,” said Leanne English Barnhill, vice president of community and government relations for Olympia Development, Michigan. “We’re excited for our fans, residents, visitors and colleagues to taste some of Good Cakes & Bakes’ fantastic treats and look forward to a great partnership with April and Michelle.”
The store reportedly brought in $1 million in revenue in 2023, but Anderson’s salary after expenses was less than $10,000, according to The Detroit News.
Despite the revenue achievement, the store is still experiencing hardships, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Anderson has no plans to give up on the bakery.
“I never thought about quitting,” Anderson told the outlet. “I’m always thinking about my staff and the community. This is a labor of love.”
