By Brittany Aufiero

Co-Op City resident and shareholder, Britney Moss, had dreamed of baking professionally for as long as she could remember. Her dream became a reality on March 2, 2018, when she held a grand opening for Cupcake Me!, a pop-up kiosk stand, to sell her sugary treats. Over a year later, on June 6, she celebrated the grand opening of her very own storefront location in Einstein Mall.

Once a hospitality worker, Moss took a leap of faith and began marketing her cupcakes after one of her cakes received overwhelming praise at her daughter’s first birthday party. On her website, she attributes her decision to get back in touch with her love for baking to her southern roots and her great aunt, who lived until the age of 102 and who always pushed her to pursue her passion.

With flavors ranging from standard chocolate and vanilla to orange creamsicle, lemon drop, and Oreo surprise, Moss consistently hits the mark in delivering fresh, delectable cakes and cupcakes. Customers have the option of buying baked goods in-store, or commissioning special orders in advance for pickup or delivery.

“Britney’s cupcakes are an original masterpiece just for your mouth,” said Lehman alumna Rhue Alice Ivy, 22, who graduated with a degree in English and philosophy. “I’ve commissioned her twice now and honestly, I won’t be going anywhere else for my birthday parties and anniversaries. Her prices are fair and her quality is worth it.”

Ivy first heard of Cupcake Me! while living in Co-Op City and continues to frequent the cupcake shop even though she no longer lives in the neighborhood.

The shop is one of a rising number of small businesses owned by women. New York state law defines a small independently-owned business as one which employs no more than 100 people. Forty-two percent of businesses nationwide are owned by women, more than there have been at any other time in history. However, the 2012 U.S. Census Bureau shows that less than a quarter of these businesses are owned by women of color.

Black-owned small businesses often struggle to compete with larger chain stores, but Moss, a black woman, has seen rare success with Cupcake Me! due to community recognition of and support for her prized recipes. Like Ivy, other long-time fans of Moss’ baked treats have become regulars. The business has five stars on Yelp, with positive reviews.  Bronx residents are eager to contribute to the growth of a small business owned by a woman of color. One Yelp reviewer, Dan H. says that in addition to the great cupcakes, one of the reasons he keeps returning to Cupcake Me! Is because he wants to show his support. Many days, Moss finds herself closing shop early because she’s sold everything in stock.

Nathaly Ramos, 22, is a young Dominican American entrepreneur in Uptown Manhattan who has her own dreams of managing a small business. On Sept. 5, she launched Nat NYC, an online shop she uses to sell her personally-designed and packaged fine jewelry.

Like Moss, Ramos attributes the inspiration and drive for her business to the strong women around her. She describes, “At just seven, I would observe my mom as she would sketch out beautiful detailed drawings of apparel alongside with jewelry. The view and the finished product were so intriguing that I was determined to learn how to handcraft.”  

On average, Ramos receives two to three orders a day. While her most common orders are the core pieces available on the website, she also takes special orders and works with clients to meet their specific needs. Each and every order comes with a satin pouch and acrylic box that is laser monogrammed by hand, then gift-wrapped.

Building Nat NYC from the ground up has been no small feat.  In addition to juggling the demands of a fast-growing business and working a part-time job, Ramos is continuing her studies as a first-generation college student: “I’ve been quite lucky with amazing marketing and business professors who continue to root for me,” she said.  

In the future, Ramos hopes to transition from taking orders through her website to owning a chic storefront boutique.

From cupcakes to earrings, women of color throughout the city seem ready and willing to take the business world by storm. Cupcake Me!’s website captures the spirit of New York City’ssmall businesses on its Meet the Baker page, where Moss describes herself in the simplest of terms: “Britney - baker, cake artist, mother, wife, daughter and CEO.” Ramos and Moss are prime examples of how small businesses can continue to expand and gain recognition through community support.