CLEVELAND — During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen many small businesses scale back their operations or close altogether, but one Cleveland mom is taking a huge leap of faith by expanding her business to take care of her family and follow her passion.
In just a few short weeks, Ashley Wynn’s dream will soon come to life.
“We are finally in our own space, and I'm super excited,” Wynn said.
It all started in 2017 when one of Wynn’s six kids asked her to bake a cake.
“I was like, sweetheart. I cannot make this cake. I don't know-how. And she said, Mom, I believe in you,” Wynn said.
That request couldn’t have come at a better time. Wynn was pregnant with her sixth child, Miles, who was born with a condition that affects his joints.
“They said he would never walk. And so from there, I was just trying to figure out a way that I could be home with him,” Wynn said.
So she started Busy Boss Bakery with the goal of making tasty treats from home while also caring for Miles and her other kids.
“I literally started the Busy Boss Bakery off of Instagram. And a good phone and a good camera,” Wynn said. “I took pictures of everything, I did. I have come a long way. But because I was consistent, because I had a goal, and I was determined to make sure that I could create a life for my children, that I can be available to them, that's honestly what helped grow the business.”
As her cakes grew more and more popular, Wynn also kept a job at Chase Bank to make ends meet. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they cut her hours, and her husband lost his job.
The bakery’s sales also took a dive before picking back up in May and June, and Wynn knew she had to make a choice.
“It pushed me to step out on faith, I think that if it wasn't for COVID-19, I wouldn't have started, I wouldn't have opened up a storefront,” Wynn said.
In August, Wynn quit her job, took all of her savings, and bought a storefront on Larchmere Avenue. Now, she’s getting it ready to showcase all of her creations, but there have been some bumps along the way.
“I applied to the first SBA loan, I got denied. I don't know why I got denied,” Wynn said.
Despite those setbacks, she said she can’t give up because of the little ones depending on her.
“Teaching my children to dream and dream big, no matter, if you’re going through a pandemic, no matter the outcome of family situations, life situations. You keep dreaming and I promise you it will pay off,” Wynn said.
Wynn is hoping to open doors at the physical location of Busy Boss Bakery in the next couple of weeks, but in the meantime, you can order online.
Jade Jarvis is a reporter at News 5 Cleveland. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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