A Business That’s Sweet in All Kinds of Ways

Scope : You’ve been baking since you were 9. What led you to turn your hobby into something bigger?

Michael: I was into lots of stuff—riding my bike, climbing trees, doing gymnastics. But when I was 10, I was diagnosed with epilepsy [a condition that can cause seizures], and I stopped doing those things for a while, so I had more time to bake. I decided to start a baking business, but I didn’t just want to make money for myself—I wanted to help other people.

Scope : So what did you do?

Michael: I live near Washington, D.C., and I have always seen homelessness there. I have also always been bothered by inequality, whether it’s racial or economic, and I wanted to do something about that. So for every cupcake I sell, I give one to a person experiencing homelessness. Sometimes my family and I walk around Washington, D.C., and give cupcakes to people we see. Other times, I take cupcakes to food pantries or shelters.

Scope : How else does your business give back?

Michael: I give a portion of my profits to No Kid Hungry. It’s part of a nonprofit organization called Share Our Strength, which works to end hunger. I also started my own nonprofit called PLLATE, which stands for Power Love Learning and Access To Everyone. I’m creating healthy snack packs for kids and offering cooking workshops.

Scope : What is a typical month like?

Michael: We sell about 140 cupcakes a month and give away just as many. Orders are placed on my website, and I promote the business on Instagram. Some months, I come up with a themed cupcake that honors someone who inspires me. For example, I did a banana pudding cupcake in honor of Maya Angelou, because she loved that dessert. Thankfully, my mom helps me with everything, from cleaning up the kitchen to delivering the cupcakes.

Scope : What have you learned?

Michael: Not to judge a book by its cover. Once when we were giving out cupcakes, there was a man sitting in the park in a suit and tie. He didn’t look homeless, but it turned out that he hadn’t eaten in three days. You can’t know what someone is going through just by looking at them.

Scope : What is your message to other teens?

Michael: Don’t let people discourage you. People try to discourage me all the time. They say “your business model isn’t sustainable” or “you should be focusing on a different issue.” But if you know that what you’re doing will make a difference, then it doesn’t matter. And you don’t have to be older to do things—you can be a kid and still change the world.

Scope : What are your dreams for the future?

Michael: Before college, I want to open at least three bakeries. My big dream is to become a professional food photographer, in addition to running my businesses.

Scope : OK, the big question: What is your favorite flavor of cupcake?

Michael: Oreo! I don’t make it often, but when I do, I love to make and eat it!

This interview was originally published in the December 2019 / January 2020 issue.