Baked by Melissa bite-size cupcakes in a variety of flavors, New York City

Our Story

YOU CAN DO ANYTHING.

Think of the beginning as a relay. In 2008, Melissa Ben-Ishay lost her assistant media planner position. Her brother passed along the next instruction: bake the cupcakes she knew and begin a business. Melissa Ben-Ishay carried that encouragement into her role as a founder of Baked by Melissa.

Melissa Ben-Ishay with her mother, early days of Baked by Melissa.

Melissa Ben-Ishay with her brother Brian

Melissa Ben-Ishay and Scottie, Baked by Melissa team early days.

Melissa Ben-Ishay with her parents, who supported the founding of Baked by Melissa.

The baton moves from baking to a first window

The product leg of the relay combined a mini, bite-size cupcake format with early references such as tie-dye, peanut butter cup, s’mores, and cookie dough. New York City was the starting ground; a pickup window in SoHo became the first Baked by Melissa retail location.

Baked by Melissa early days collage — SoHo pickup window, cupcake boxes, first team.

Momentum shared across a larger team

Momentum passed through more than one set of hands. Baked by Melissa is a female-founded business that credits New York City with influencing its energy and creativity, and credits family, friends, and team with participating in a group vision.

Melissa Ben-Ishay of Baked by Melissa in New York City.

MAKE LIFE SWEETER.

Founder Melissa Ben-Ishay anchors the relay, yet Baked by Melissa describes the route as shared. Its group vision recognizes family members, friends, and teammates as participants rather than background figures.