Meet Janie Jones | Bakery Manager & Event Cater (desserts)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Janie Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janie, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Each morning I get up and I get ready to clock-in to my regular “9-5”, and I ask myself am I in a position to not go to work today. I think on that for a while and tell myself of course, because I have a business that I can lean on if I ever felt it was time to stop coming to this job. I keep going in my business that very same way, I dwell on, what if my job position ceases to exist, what do I do? Where do I go from there? It’s not easy having and maintaining a business but it’s worth every tear, smile, hand cut. To see my customers satisfied, and being able to know I helped make there event that much better.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Well. I’m a cake artist. My style is a bit different than others. I create cakes for events that have a modern look to them, I’m not too crazy about doing the wonderful character cakes, I hope to one day. I started baking when I was younger just to see what it was like, I’ve always wanted to be a meteorologist, never saw myself as a Baker. Loved being out in the storms but it was one day I was looking into baking more and I will never forget it but my high school librarian happened to be talking with me and we got to talking, didn’t think much of it. I was looking at some summer programs to get into to check out one of the colleges I wanted to attend and she was more excited than I. That very next day she offered me a scholarship to the program I looked at and I was in all. A stranger, that saw good intent in my actions, helped with a life long decision I made that day. I went to college got my BS in Culinary Arts at the same school I was at for the program. I started getting known for a lot of my cakes in my small town so I’d come home on the weekends to do sales and drop off orders. Such a good feeling. I then thought hmmm maybe I could start selling near my school so I decided to start doing some free dessert tables just to make a name for myself and I had some of my professors ask me to help with some events, which were paid. That just blew my mind. A girl from a small town doing campus events. I was very excited.

The road wasn’t always happy endings, it’s been times I’ve worked, went to school and maintained my business all in one. I’ve had some long nights, dropped cake, tears, and even got pulled over by a cop before. The road to success isn’t east and I’m still traveling it. I’m not where I want to be in my business but I’m better situated in it and that’s the best part about growth, getting better.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Chop house Hattie Bs
Sugar Bacon
Axe throwing
Top golf
Wonder Bar
Cooking at home at least two days, I’m a chef I can’t help it.
Crumbl Cookie

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to first thank God of course! My mother and grandmother, who have been some of my biggest support and my hardest critics. Tearing up writing this, but I can truly say I work this hard so that I can show them that they pushed me to be better, molded me for greatness, and helped me be the success I am now.

The Patterson’s (The Exodus Project) always a help to the community and getting us kids to engage in life changing opportunities. I’m so proud to be able to say they are a pair to be reconned with! So encouraging, so helpful, so aspiring! They helped me figure out that there’s more to life than the small things. There’s adventure waiting for me to explore.

Thank you guys for always supporting me!

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Image Credits
Mississippi University for Women (photo creds)