Let’s All Eat Kakes
8.23.2018
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LISC StoriesEconomic Development
After graduating from college, Ashley struggled in her career in the healthcare industry. To feed her creativity, she turned to baking, which she loves to do. That love turned into a business idea when it started to attract clientele.
Like most kids, Ashley started baking when she was a child with frozen logs of cookie dough and boxed brownies and cakes. She then started baking a batch of chocolate cupcakes from scratch in sixth grade, which turned out a mess when she mistakenly switched a teaspoon and a tablespoon of baking soda and baking powder that resulted in an overflowing batter in her mother’s oven. After years of experimenting with baking for family and friends, she was able to create different baked goods that really won the hearts of her growing clientele.
Thanks to the support and encouragement of her family and friends, Ashley established Ladie Kakes in 2015 as a DBA from her home kitchen. Ashley now offers her pastries in farmer’s markets, festivals, trade shows, online, and via catering.
Her goal is to open a storefront. This Kiva loan will help her increase her production, inventory, equipment, and sales opportunities. The loan will also help her establish her company as a LLC, register trademarks, and produce marketing materials.
With less than 3 weeks to go, Ashley is currently more than 50% funded for her $10,000 loan target. You can help Ashley meet her goal. Make a loan and LISC will match it 100%!
Ashley is endorsed by Downtown Long Beach Alliance, a non-profit organization that supports business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts for small business owners in the area.
If you’re interested in a loan for your small business or want to become a trustee and help small businesses in your area get a loan, contact Miranda Rodriguez at MRodriguez@lisc.org.
How to Become a Kiva Trustee
You can help small businesses like Ashley’s bakery get financing. Apply to be a trustee. Trustees can be individuals or organizations, and their role is to vouch for the character and credibility of the small business owners they are endorsing on the Kiva website. LISC offers matching funds and technical support for borrowers who are endorsed by our Kiva Trustees.