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Good Cakes and Bakes is more than just a bakery; it's a cornerstone of community spirit, innovation, and delectable treats along the Avenue of Fashions. With its recent expansion into downtown Detroit in 2023, Good Cakes and Bakes now offers an array of savory delights, artisanal coffees, and unique sweets that are exclusive to each location. For April Anderson, this expansion marked a realization of her dreams and prompted a reevaluation of the business's operational strategies. In this Detroit is Different interview, we delved into the intricacies of managing and marketing a quick-service restaurant, revealing our shared enthusiasm for industry dynamics. This conversation also explored the nuances of operating in downtown Detroit compared to running a neighborhood establishment. April provided invaluable insights into assessing one's business position and recognizing opportune moments for strategic pivots. Central to April's philosophy is the recognition of time as a precious asset. Leveraging time effectively is instrumental in achieving the exceptional service quality synonymous with Good Cakes and Bakes. This interview is a treasure trove of lessons for entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, understanding market shifts, and maximizing resources to elevate business performance. Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different. Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher. Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing info@detroitisdifferent.com Find out more at https://detroit-is-different.pinecast.co Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/detroit-is-different/0fb482e2-e65c-4d60-a59c-8fc3a1b938c4
Aug. 6, 2023 ~ Pastry chef April Anderson talks to host Ann Thomas about opening a second location of her bakery, Good Cakes and Bakes, in Downtown Detroit.
June 28, 2023 ~ Co-Owner and Pastry Chef at Good Cakes and Bakes April Anderson talks to Paul W. about her local business that is selling homemade pastries and desserts at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
The Sweet Spot of the Avenue of Fashions is Good Cakes and Bakes. April Anderson loved baking sweets and witnessing people fall in love with her gift. After college, career, grad school, and marriage, she makes the entrepreneurial leap. Her story is about learning to develop quality sweets and business systems and enjoying the process. April's understanding of where she fits into her business is explored here. Many gems are shared about money, time, family, and balancing the self. Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different. Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher. Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing info@detroitisdifferent.com Find out more at https://detroit-is-different.pinecast.co Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/detroit-is-different/383ea09c-ff98-418e-b097-14547c658f5c
Today's episode is about history, design, and bringing a place back to life. I have a pair of guests - Rachel Nelson and Taylor Morgan from Detroit-based Concetti design to talk about a recently completed project - The Murray, a set of townhomes from more than a century ago that are now completely full with tenants. There are areas of town with a lot of new activity, whether it's residential or commercial - and the owners, residents and developers of those spaces are more and more turning to interior design services. Concetti has done a number of spaces you might know - from a redo of Good Cakes and Bakes, The Film Lab, Coriander Kitchen, and residences. Learn more about them here: https://concetti.studio/ Then, I'll share some stories you should know around town. The QLINE may be funded going forward in part by hotel and liquor taxes; and some in the city are frustrated that they're paying out so much to settle issues with DDOT and DPD: https://www.bridgedetroit.com/detroit-legal-settlements/ Feedback: https://forms.gle/MnwUf8uJEtpyG9m2A
Join Jeanette Pierce as she discusses Detroit with April Anderson, Co-owner of Good Cakes and Bakes, the Avenue of Fashion's premier bakery. Hear about her entrepreneurial journey including that time that she made 800 vegan brownies for Bill Clinton, how she's having a positive impact on her community, and how you can get the most delicious baked goods delivered to your door right now. Discuss Detroit features conversations with small businesses owners, community leaders, and Detroit residents as a program of City Institute. City Institute shares lessons learned from Detroit to inspire individuals, organizations, and cities to innovate for a better future. The learn more about services and programming, visit: https://www.thecityinstitute.com/
February 13, 2022 ~ Good Cakes and Bakes Co-Owner and Pastry Chef April Anderson tells Paul W. about their organic bakery in Detroit.
October 10, 2021 ~ Paul W. talks to Good Cakes and Bakes Co-Founder and Pastry Chef April Anderson.
The Soul Food Scholar, Adrian Miller, interviews April Anderson, owner and head baker at Good Cakes and Bakes of Detroit, MI. With the help of our friends at the Lee Initiative and the Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice Coalition, we announced the 71 Fellows of the Black Kitchen Initiative Black-owned restaurant grants. With this podcast, we dive a little deeper into 6 of their stories. Learn more about the Black Kitchen Initiative at BlackKitchenInitiative.com Cover art by Lo Harris.
April Anderson of beloved Detroit bakery Good Cakes and Bakes joins Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato to tell the story of how appearing on The Today Show created an unimaginable demand for shipping her cakes across the country, and how that experience set them up for success when the pandemic hit.
Sunday, August 16, 2020 ~ Paul W. Smith welcomes guests Jasmin DeForrest, Director, Community Sponsorships for Quicken Loans Community Fund, & April Anderson, Pastry Chef & Co-Owner for Good Cakes and Bakes and Charity Ward, Performer.
Sunday, August 16, 2020 ~ April Anderson, Pastry Chef & Co-Owner of Good Cakes and Bakes talks to Paul W. about providing quality baked goods that are wholesome and organic in nature. Good Cakes and Bakes is offering carryout, curbside pickup and “no-contact” home delivery (purchases will be dropped off at your door).
Sunday, August 16, 2020 ~ April Anderson, Pastry Chef & Co-Owner of Good Cakes and Bakes talks to Paul W. about providing quality baked goods that are wholesome and organic in nature. Good Cakes and Bakes is offering carryout, curbside pickup and “no-contact” home delivery (purchases will be dropped off at your door).
Sunday, August 16, 2020 ~ Paul W. Smith welcomes guests Jasmin DeForrest, Director, Community Sponsorships for Quicken Loans Community Fund, & April Anderson, Pastry Chef & Co-Owner for Good Cakes and Bakes and Charity Ward, Performer.
We had the perfect plan, until the coffee shop was closed. Luckily, our morning was saved by an act of tremendous generosity. Here's a link to learn more about Good Cakes and Bakes. We're so lucky they're in our neighborhood: https://goodcakesandbakes.com/. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/musclememory/message
Episode Notes CommuniD: A Podcast - Episode #31 GC&B In The HouseIt is super duper cool to have the exceptionally gifted baker of some of my favorite delectables come chat with me. April Anderson of Good Cakes & Bakes shares a bit of her Livernois construction woes, how it felt to be on the Today Show with her Mom and discovering her love for Detroit and so much more. This is a good one Fam ( P.S. there is also a shy teenager in the studio with us) April's niece, Caleyah Higgins.CommuniD is hosted by Audra Carson the founder and leader of Izzie LLC. CommuniD is produced by Val Ward.
EPISODE 100! For this sweet occasion, we are joined by the co-owner of Good Cakes and Bakes, April Anderson. Situated on the “Avenue of Fashion,” in Detroit, Good Cakes and Bakes is more than a bakery, it is a community space opened to anyone who wishes to spend time there. As a bakery that uses...
EPISODE 100! For this sweet occasion, we are joined by the co-owner of Good Cakes and Bakes, April Anderson. Situated on the “Avenue of Fashion,” in Detroit, Good Cakes and Bakes is more than a bakery, it is a community space opened to anyone who wishes to spend time there. As a bakery that uses...
Radio Cherry Bombe stopped in Detroit last year as part of its Future of Food Tour for a live episode at Good Cakes and Bakes. Amanda Saab, owner and baker at the Butter Bear Shop in Livonia, Michigan, and the co-founder of My Muslim Neighbor, speaks to us about her vision for the future. Amanda’s talk is followed by a panel featuring baker Lisa Ludwinski of Sister Pie; Molly Mitchell, owner of Rose’s Fine Food; Dorothy Hernandez, the writer, editor, and founder of Sarap; April Anderson of Good Cakes and Bakes; Kimberly Chou of the Food Book Fair and Allied Media Projects; and Radio Cherry Bombe host Kerry Diamond. Thank you to Kerrygold for supporting our tour! Radio Cherry Bombe is powered by Simplecast.
Our stories: Marijuana will be on the ballot in Michigan. Metro Detroit has the highest percentage of underwater mortgages in the country, says Zillow. Wells Fargo is pulling out of the Midwest and selling to Flagstar Bank. Food news, including The Eastern gets a patio, Good Cakes and Bakes gets a James Beard Foundation nod, and the Sugar House is named the best bar in America by Esquire. Why does transit matter to attracting companies to Detroit? Our feature interview is with Kevin Bopp. He's the vice president of parking and mobility for Bedrock. That's Dan Gilbert's real estate company. And here's a hint: It really does matter. It's an interesting conversation. Also, a nod to Robert Snell of the Detroit News for the best lede of the day and a preview of coming stories. Thanks so much for listening to the show! Be sure to tell a friend and leave a review in Apple Podcasts.
Organic and vegan bakery on Detroit's Avenue of Fashion, Good Cakes and Bakes, is making moves in the Detroit region. April Anderson is the entrepreneur behind the growing business, and we caught up with her at the Build Institute. If the baked goods are good enough for Oprah (and she's served her) and Bill Clinton, well, maybe some local folks should check them out.
Are you wondering what it would be like to take a leap of faith to pursue a dream? This week’s guest jumped into the unknown and has some words of advice from the other side. April Anderson, co-owner of Good Cakes and Bakes in Detroit is known for her unique entrepreneurial style, strong sense of community and her delicious gooey butter cakes. In this episode, April dishes on taking risks and why community is so important for success. But if you want to know why people can’t stop talking about her pastries you’ll have to visit her shop to find out for yourself. Sponsored by: Detroit Experience Factory QUOTE IT “Pop-up means you get the opportunity to occupy a space [for a set amount of time] kind of like a test market, where you can pop-up without a lot of commitment.” (9:52) “They don’t teach community, it’s something that you want” (14:05) “You can’t come into a community and decide what they need, you have to come into a community and find out what they want.” (16:28) DIG IN 6:48 A keynote opportunity with former President Bill Clinton asked Detroit leaders to be connected with a small business entrepreneur in the city. At 18:46 April shares her philosophy on the importance of diversity and inclusion when creating something different than what exists today. TAKEAWAYS Explore how you can pop-up in different spaces to sample markets for your product. Ask yourself if you want to be a destination or a community spot, then behave accordingly. A sense of community is the core of a business, products are the bonus. The only way you have success is if everyone’s invited to the party. You can’t succeed if you don’t try.