Learn more about Maneeka Brown, owner and founder of Cakes by the Jar.
Written by Jordan Kossuth
📷 courtesy of Kate English Photography
Meet Maneeka
Cakes by the Jar specializes in creating delectable cake jars that are perfect for celebrating any occasion – and founder Maneeka Brown has had a lot to celebrate over the years.
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, she attended Grand Valley State University, Cornerstone University, and Davenport University – earning 2 bachelor’s degrees and 2 master’s degrees along the way. Balancing her academic pursuits with her role as a mother of three and grandmother to two, Maneeka has always been driven by a deep sense of purpose and family.
Maneeka started Cakes by the Jar to honor her late aunt, who was always the one to bring dessert to Sunday’s family dinners. This tradition of love and togetherness is baked into every jar, making each treat a tribute to her aunt's memory.
📷 courtesy of Kate English Photography
A Recipe for Success
Maneeka’s passion for baking and learning led her to experiment with a variety of desserts – cupcakes, rice krispie treats, and pound cakes to name a few – always a hit amongst family and friends. With some encouragement from her mom, she joined the first SpringGR cohort in 2015, excited by the prospect of a program that would give her the foundational knowledge to run a business from start to finish.
Soon after graduation, Maneeka hit the ground running, putting her education and experiences into practice by starting her own home-based catering business, Flavorful Pound Cakes & Treats.
“More than anything I wanted to go into events, set up, and get the opportunity to see all of the people enjoying my product.”
She knew that a farmer’s market would be a game-changer, providing her with a platform to reach a wider audience, build brand recognition, and connect with the community. One day, her sons had set up a stand outside the house to sell slices of pound cake to earn some extra money. A passerby, enchanted by the aroma, stopped to buy a slice and ended up helping Maneeka secure a spot at the Southeast Area Farmer’s Market. Maneeka would sell an array of treats, including pound cake, cheesecake shooters, and her most popular item by far—cake jars. These delightful jars, filled with layers of cake and whipped frosting, quickly became a customer favorite.
On top of running a growing catering business, Maneeka remained dedicated to her full-time job as a health care professional. When the start of the COVID-19 pandemic brought uncertainty in the world, she recognized the need to pivot and accommodate smaller gatherings and social distancing, while also setting her sights on a better work-life balance.
Offering individually packaged cakes not only allows for everyone to choose their own flavor, but also eliminates mess, maintains the perfect moist consistency, and promotes food hygiene. They’re the perfect one-of-a-kind treat that can elevate any gathering. Instead of leaving a sheet cake on the dessert table to dry out over the course of an event, guests can pick out their perfect flavor at their leisure – or take them to go for enjoyment later!
📷 courtesy of Kate English Photography
Signature Flavors
Cakes by the Jar was founded in January 2022, offering perfectly portioned, flavorful cakes made with high quality ingredients. Each of the four signature jars are carefully curated around the classic cake flavors – vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and lemon.
· Vanilla Milkshake Cake – Velvety vanilla cake and whipped frosting layers are topped with sprinkles and a cherry – culminating in a flavor that will leave you nostalgic for the days of local soda shops. Fun fact – this flavor is also guaranteed to bring all the boys to the yard.
· Lemon Crunch Cake – Much like its namesake, Sheila E’s song “Lemon Cake”, this flavor is a whole vibe! Layers of zesty lemon cake and filling are topped with a vanilla whipped frosting and their famous lemon crunch, for a bright and refreshing spoonful every time.
· Straw Buh-Buh Berry Shortcake – Reminiscent of a childhood favorite frozen dessert, this jar contains strawberry cake and filling, topped with a generous dollop of vanilla whipped frosting and strawberry and vanilla crunch.
· Chocolate High Toffee-Mel – Named after India Arie’s “Chocolate High”, one bite will have you addicted to this decadent chocolate cake layered with sweet toffee crunch, caramel, and vanilla whipped frosting.
The versatility of the four classic cakes allows for some innovative flavor combinations, such as Caramel Cookie Butter, featuring layers of caramel-infused cake, smooth cookie butter, topped with whipped frosting and cookie butter crumbles.
Cakes by the Jar offers some seasonal showstoppers as well at events and farmer’s markets. You’re sure to find yourself falling in love with every layer of Maneeka’s favorite autumn flavor, the crisp and cozy Caramel Apple Cake. Their Red Velvet Cake is the perfect decadent treat to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and as we (finally) get a break from a rough West Michigan winter, we can look forward to trying the refreshing Mint Chocolate Chip.
Be sure to follow Cakes by the Jar on social media as they announce fresh flavors and seasonal surprises!
📷 courtesy of Kate English Photography
Memorable Moments & Milestones
To ensure Cakes by the Jar was taken seriously from the start, Maneeka hired a professional to create their website, design a logo, and develop their complete branding kit. She vividly remembers this significant investment in her success, as well as the pressure to sell enough jars to cover the costs. Her hard work and determination paid off when she sold 300 jars at a Grand Rapids Public Schools auction event, achieving her goal within just a few weeks. This milestone not only validated her efforts, but also set the stage for their continued success.
Cakes by the Jar can still be found at the Holland or Fulton Street Farmers Market, as well as at a variety of events around West Michigan. You may have gotten a taste at the GR International Wine, Beer & Food Festival, the Grand Rapids Foodie Fest, or even this past winter at the Grand Rapids Christkindl Market – to name a few.
Maneeka's passion for baking and her commitment to excellence have propelled Cakes by the Jar to new heights, winning numerous awards and accolades. CBTJ has been excelling at award shows and pitch competitions, winning the Edith Raspberry Award from Grand Rapids Area Black-Owned Businesses in December 2022, the Start Garden 5x5 in April 2023, and taking 1st place in the 2023 SBDC Pitch Black Competition, an event focused on elevating and celebrating Black-owned small businesses.
Let’s Help Her Win
Her story is not just one of business success; it's about honoring family, embracing community, and inspiring others to follow their dreams with confidence and heart. While there has been an encouraging increase of women entrepreneurs in the United States in the recent years, men still outnumber women three to one in this space. This disparity highlights the ongoing need for initiatives that support and empower female entrepreneurs.
One such initiative is Let’s Help Her Win, a reality television show dedicated to empowering and investing in female entrepreneurs in and around the West Michigan area. The show not only provides a platform for women to promote their businesses but also fosters a sense of community and support among participants. Maneeka was featured on the first season, and emphasized how the experience allowed her to build a strong network of female business owners, creating a valuable support system.
“As an entrepreneur, it’s essential to take time to recharge and connect with like-minded women.”
Beyond the show, Maneeka has also found this community and support through the Rockstar Woman Movement, a curated community founded by Shannon Cohen. This movement is dedicated to women who lead, love, and serve in transformational ways, providing a space for them to thrive and support one another. As a founding member, Maneeka considers this movement her sorority, cherishing the meaningful connections she has built with other positive and accomplished women.
Reflecting on her journey, Maneeka shared a moment of gratitude when she was selected as a panelist for an event last year. While reviewing past accomplishments and writing a short biography for the event, she felt very humbled.
"I’m proud of all of our accomplishments – every accolade, every award – being a Black, woman-owned business in today’s world is paving the way for others to succeed.”
Maneeka also emphasizes the importance of aligning her business journey with her purpose, stating, “Don’t let society dictate who you are and what you can become. Be confident in what you do and stand firm in your beliefs and goals in your business. This is my journey, and when the time is right, it will be right. I let my business lead me.”
Bridge Street Market & Beyond
We are absolutely smitten with Cakes by the Jar, who have been in stores at Bridge Street Market for over two years now. All four signature flavors – Vanilla Milkshake, Lemon Crunch, Straw Buh-Buh-Berry Shortcake, and Chocolate High-Toffee Mel – are currently available in 4-ounce jars.
Maneeka is looking forward to growing Cakes by the Jar beyond Grand Rapids, targeting events on the east side of Michigan and expanding into corporate gifting and subscription services. In 2024, she set a goal to make six figures and came remarkably close, a milestone that fills her with pride.
Stop by our refrigerated grab & go section to satisfy your immediate cravings, or stock up on a few Cakes by the Jar in our freezer section. You never know when you’ll have something worth celebrating!