I was born and raised in the Wagner Projects in Spanish Harlem. I started my bespoke cake business after B-School, and it’s grown tremendously since. I owe a great deal of my success to what I've learned in the program.

I just added a service called The Cupcake Carriage, which is a mobile bakery set up for cupcake decorating workshops and birthday parties for kids. We launched the service in June and it took off faster than we would ever have imagined!

A few months ago, I received an email from a woman who still lives in Wagner Projects. She was the first person who purchased the biggest package I offer. I was so excited to get the purchase, but even more excited to read her email. She wrote that she went all out (making this huge sacrifice), because she wanted her daughter to see what a successful business woman looks like from Wagner. I was so moved by this I cried.

Her party took place yesterday. It was a full-circle experience for me. It was weird to see where I grew up because it wasn't a good time for me. But these little girls treated me like a celebrity. They were so excited to take pictures with me, so excited to have me there.

At the end of the party, the birthday girl hugged me and asked if she could take a picture with me. She thanked me for the party and said, “My mom told me you grew up in the same building where I live. I want to have a business like you one day.”

I am to that little girl what you were to me, Marie. I can't wait to inspire many other little girls from the hood. There's a lot of passion there, they just need the tools. Thank you for helping them see what’s possible.