Craving a sweet escape? Look no further than Laina’s Cupcakery! For the month of September, we’re shining our light on Laina Morcom, the talented baker behind this terrific home bakery.
Laina’s passion for baking shines through in every bite of her handcrafted, made-from-scratch cupcakes. With years of experience and a commitment to quality, she creates treats that are simply irresistible.
Don't miss out! Get to know more about Laina’s baking journey and the delicious cupcakes offered by Laina’s Cupcakery. Discover how she’s turning her love of baking into a thriving business and sharing her sweet creations with the Hampton Roads community.
Laina’s Cupcakery
Business Owner: Laina Morcom
Type of Business: Home Bakery
Location: Portsmouth, Virginia
Facebook: Laina's Cupcakery - Portsmouth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lainascupcakery/
What inspired you to start your business? Share your unique vision or motivation.
I grew up baking with my grandma learning pie crusts. As I got older I started trying out from-scratch cake recipes and fell in love with making all the fun flavors and designs for them.
How does your cultural background or personal experiences influence your business approach?
I grew up with tough women. I was raised by a single mom, my aunt, and grandparents. They taught my sister and I to be kind, but always stand up for what we want to get out of life.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced as a diverse business owner and how did you overcome them?
The common thought that I’m “just a mom” trying to make “side cash” instead of running an actual business has been the toughest that I still struggle with hearing. The best thing that has helped is being out in the community and just talking with people/customers at my weekly booth at the Portsmouth Farmer’s Market.
Describe your products or services in a way that showcases your unique perspective or offering.
My treats are all made from scratch and to order. You’ll never find a box mix on my ingredient list and every flavor has been taste-tested prior to offering it for sale.
How do you aim to make a positive impact on your community or industry?
I aim to keep prices reasonable, and hopefully affordable for most budgets. I think all kids/people deserve a fabulous treat!
What strategies have you found successful in reaching and engaging your target audience?
Being out in the community and talking to everyone has been my best way to engage in the community, even outside social media. Word of mouth is still my best advertisement.
What resources or support do you think would be most valuable for micro and small diverse businesses like yours?
Outside of affordable advertising….learning places where we can order items at wholesale prices.
What are your goals and aspirations for your business in the coming years?
My biggest goal is to save enough to purchase a food trailer and offer a mobile coffee and snack trailer.
What advice would you give to aspiring diverse entrepreneurs or nonprofit founders just starting out?
Take the time to know the requirements of your industry before offering for sale.
What message do you want to share with the audience about the significance of diverse small businesses or nonprofits?
Small businesses truly keep our economy going. Supporting the real people in your community makes a greater impact than shopping at a big box store ever can.
Laina Morcom’s passion for baking and her dedication to creating delicious, handcrafted cupcakes have made Laina’s Cupcakery a beloved local home-based bakery in Portsmouth. Her commitment to using the finest ingredients and her involvement in the Portsmouth Farmers Market has helped her build a thriving business. Whether you have a sweet tooth or simply looking to support a local Hampton Roads bakery, remember to stop by her booth at the Farmers Market or check out her Facebook and Instagram to place an order.
Join us next month to reignite your inspiration! In October, we'll shine a spotlight on another outstanding member of our Diverse Hampton Roads Featured Member Series. We're excited to introduce you to yet another remarkable local micro-business, small business, or nonprofit making an impact in the Hampton Roads community. Don't miss out on this incredible feature!
Have you missed any of our previous spotlights? If so, we got you covered. You can catch up on more inspiring stories of diverse entrepreneurs in the Hampton Roads area! Read their stories by visiting our blog page: https://diversehamptonroads.com/blog
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