Ep 27: The Art of “Listening to the Business” with Melissa Bunnen Jernigan

In this inspiring episode, discover how Melissa Bunnen Jernigan, co-founder of the iconic Atlanta brand Piece of Cake, turned $500 into a million-dollar business over 10 years. Success isn’t just about having a detailed plan or prior business knowledge; it’s about defining your own path and staying true to your vision. Melissa shares insights into the importance of defining success, making strategic decisions, and staying focused amidst the noise of entrepreneurial advice.

Learn how Melissa and her team navigated the challenges of building Piece of Cake without prior experience, the genesis of their baking business idea, and the pivotal moments that shaped their journey. From the acquisition of Piece of Cake to the significance of maintaining authenticity, this episode offers a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to create their own success story against all odds.

What You’ll Learn:

• Where the idea of baking cakes as a business came from.
• How Melissa and her team decided to create a business without any previous business experience.
• The grand vision for Piece of Cake at the start.
• Why you shouldn’t take anything for granted.
• How to find loyal employees.
• How Piece of Cake navigated the pandemic.
• How the acquisition of Piece of Cake took place.

Ideas Worth Sharing:

• “Never take anything for granted.” – Melissa Bunnen Jernigan
• “Listen to the business, it will tell you what to do.” – Melissa Bunnen Jernigan
• “We have to keep moving forward because if we’re not moving forward, we’re moving backward.” – Melissa Bunnen Jernigan

Resources:

• Melissa Bunnen Jernigan: LinkedIn
• Cannon Carr: LinkedIn
• CornerCap