Lansing Bakery Takes a Big Bite Out of Online Success

A local bakery owner just scored a huge win on a national stage. Nikki Thompson Frazier, the owner of Sweet Encounter Bakery & Cafe, walked away with $35, 000 after impressing the judges on "Shark Tank. " The catch? She didn't even appear on the TV show. Instead, she pitched her business plan at the Shark Tank Summit in Las Vegas. This isn't just any bakery. Sweet Encounter recently made a big change. They closed their downtown storefront and switched to selling cupcakes in a jar online. It was a risky move, but it paid off. The judges loved her idea and invested in her vision. Thompson Frazier was one of only three entrepreneurs chosen to pitch at the event. She stood in front of Daymond John, Kevin O'Leary, and actress Tabitha Brown. Thousands of people watched as she explained her plan. In just 90 seconds, she convinced them that her business was worth investing in. This isn't the first time Thompson Frazier has won over judges. In 2021, she won a local pitch competition. That win earned her a year of rent-free business space. Since then, she's become a pro at pitching her ideas. All those experiences helped her shine at the Shark Tank Summit. The move to online sales is already working. Since closing the storefront, Sweet Encounter has seen online sales grow. They've even added new equipment to handle more orders. Thompson Frazier isn't stopping there. She's planning to release baking mixes, write a cookbook, and launch a YouTube channel. The bakery is also looking for a new home. Their lease downtown is ending soon, and they're searching for a property to buy. It's a big step, but Thompson Frazier is ready. She sees a bigger future for Sweet Encounter, and now, thanks to the Shark Tank judges, she has the support to make it happen.