Last August, Republic FC, Suncrest Bank the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce, created a first of its kind crowdsourced grant program to help local, Black-owned business reeling from the impacts of the pandemic. Over 50 nominations and 5,000 votes were cast, Sugar Coated Cupcakes was selected to receive the grand prize of a $5,000 grant.
Last August, Republic FC, Suncrest Bank the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce, created a first of its kind crowdsourced grant program to help local, Black-owned business reeling from the impacts of the pandemic. Over 50 nominations and 5,000 votes were cast, Sugar Coated Cupcakes was selected to receive the grand prize of a $5,000 grant.
Sugar Coated Cupcakes is a mother-daughter owned company that creates an event experience as one of the country’s first mobile dessert cupcakery and dry hire bar. Their divine desserts — including a specialty bourbon cupcake, a chicken & waffles cupcake, a zesty meyer lemon filled cupcake, and other scrumptious selections that ca be gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan options – can be pre-ordered online, or snagged at pop-up events throughout the region.
Sugar Coated Cupcakes is a mother-daughter owned company that creates an event experience as one of the country’s first mobile dessert cupcakery and dry hire bar. Their divine desserts — including a specialty bourbon cupcake, a chicken & waffles cupcake, a zesty meyer lemon filled cupcake, and other scrumptious selections that ca be gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan options – can be pre-ordered online, or snagged at pop-up events throughout the region.
The $5,000 grant helped them grow their business during a difficult time and helped bite the blow of the economic shutdowns.
“One of the biggest things for us is being able to bake in a non-restrictive baking schedule,” Sugar Coated Cupcakes co-owner LaQueanya Henry says. “It allows us to be able to serve more customers. Another great thing this grant is going to do for us helps us keep our integrity to the farm-to-fork piece that we are so big on.”
The $5,000 grant helped them grow their business during a difficult time and helped bite the blow of the economic shutdowns.
“One of the biggest things for us is being able to bake in a non-restrictive baking schedule,” Sugar Coated Cupcakes co-owner LaQueanya Henry says. “It allows us to be able to serve more customers. Another great thing this grant is going to do for us helps us keep our integrity to the farm-to-fork piece that we are so big on.”
LaQueanya and Mechiala Henry began Sugar Coated Cupcakes as a mobile-only business, but then added a converted horse trailer they named ‘Susie’ that pops-up around the Sacramento area at local wineries, breweries, and coffee shops, partnering with those businesses. What started as a cupcake company has blossomed into a multi-faceted business that now features Susie as a dessert bar or a dry hire bar for weddings and events alongside the mobile and online ordering and delivery.
“No matter how many degrees I have behind my name, I feel like I have to work harder to prove myself worthy to get access certain resources,” Henry says, “For black-owned business in general there are disadvantages such as lack of education, racial wealth gap, and discrimination of some not wanting to work with a black-owned business. I remember early on I did not show pictures of who us ladies "behind the company" were. Because if no one knew who we were they could only judge us by how great our cupcakes tasted, how amazing our photos looked, but not skip us because we were black-owned and not give us a chance altogether. Sometimes I wish we were still behind the scenes and no one knew. It's amazing how many "discounts" we get asked for.”
LaQueanya and Mechiala Henry began Sugar Coated Cupcakes as a mobile-only business, but then added a converted horse trailer they named ‘Susie’ that pops-up around the Sacramento area at local wineries, breweries, and coffee shops, partnering with those businesses. What started as a cupcake company has blossomed into a multi-faceted business that now features Susie as a dessert bar or a dry hire bar for weddings and events alongside the mobile and online ordering and delivery.
“No matter how many degrees I have behind my name, I feel like I have to work harder to prove myself worthy to get access certain resources,” Henry says, “For black-owned business in general there are disadvantages such as lack of education, racial wealth gap, and discrimination of some not wanting to work with a black-owned business. I remember early on I did not show pictures of who us ladies “behind the company” were. Because if no one knew who we were they could only judge us by how great our cupcakes tasted, how amazing our photos looked, but not skip us because we were black-owned and not give us a chance altogether. Sometimes I wish we were still behind the scenes and no one knew. It’s amazing how many “discounts” we get asked for.”
Sugar Coated Cupcakes helped Republic FC celebrate the holidays in style with a custom cupcake decorating class. If you are looking for some sweet treats to share with your loved ones for Valentine’s Day — or just want to nosh on a tasty treat – while supporting one of the many Black-owned businesses in Sacramento, head over to their website and get your order in today!
Sugar Coated Cupcakes helped Republic FC celebrate the holidays in style with a custom cupcake decorating class. If you are looking for some sweet treats to share with your loved ones for Valentine’s Day — or just want to nosh on a tasty treat – while supporting one of the many Black-owned businesses in Sacramento, head over to their website and get your order in today!
