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Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

Bakery Enjoys Record Sales from Move to Commercial Kitchen

With the help of: Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Ohio MEP)

About

7th Heaven Creations Bakery LLC of Findlay, Ohio, is an event-based licensed bakery specializing in gourmet desserts and servicing parts of Indiana and Ohio. It's founder, Stephanie Russell, is a minority woman business owner who followed her passion for baking, networking and serving the public.

The Challenge

For 7th Heaven Creations Bakery LLC, it all began in 2013 with Stephanie's home-based bakery in Milan, Ohio. Stephanie participated in local craft shows and farmers' markets and did custom orders in various areas of Ohio, but only as a hobby. When the pandemic shutdown occurred in 2020, she moved to Findlay, and in just a few weeks met a local businessman who suggested she pivot to bake and deliver her baked goods from home. The concept became a hit and after several months a commercial kitchen became necessary. Stephanie found CIFT/NOCK (Northwest Ohio Commercial Kitchen) and the rest is history.
My only regret is I didn't find this facility many years ago and follow my introvert dream of being a minority woman business owner following my passion for baking, networking and serving the public. My advice to anyone considering starting a business is go for it, if you put in the work you will succeed!
— Stephanie Russell, Owner

MEP's Role

The CIFT team, part of the Ohio MEP and the MEP National Network™, advised 7th Heaven Creations Bakery to become an LLC.  CIFT then guided the company through all of the paperwork and got the company certified. 7th Heaven Creations Bakery was operating in the general kitchen by September 2020. 

None of this would have been possible without the CIFT/NOCK resource located in Bowling Green, Ohio. The company has had record sales every year since starting at the commercial kitchen. Stephanie is looking forward to growing the company, and mentoring young and new entrepreneurs, while continuing to gain knowledge with the help and guidance of CIFT/NOCK.

Created January 18, 2023