USCA Class Helps Entrepreneur Become Bakery Owner in North Augusta

Story courtesy of Aiken Standard

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AIKEN, SC (11/08/2018) For Karli Stone, baking started as a hobby, turned into a passion and is now her career.

Stone recently purchased Smallcakes bakery in North Augusta, thanks to a professor and business plan she made in grad school, plus a whole lot of love for baking.

When Stone was in grad school for public administration, she took an entrepreneurship class at USC Aiken, which is one she wanted because she always was interested in opening her own bakery. She took the class, under Professor Brent Hoover, in Spring 2016.

Stone, a North Augusta native, had to create a business plan in the class - executive summary, cash flow statements, etc. - and decided to make one about opening a Smallcakes, where she was working.

Two years later, the owner of Smallcakes in North Augusta wanted to sell. Stone pulled out her business plan, contacted Hoover, and used the Small Business Development Center at USC Aiken. She secured a loan from the bank, and as of Oct. 15, is the owner of Smallcakes in North Augusta.

Hoover said the Spring 2016 Entrepreneurship class was the first, and said it's been great to see an inaugural student have such success.

Stone said she has always enjoyed baking, and has sold cakes to family and friends before. Multiple times a week, she said, she used to take cupcakes to school, college or work.

The best part about the business, Stone said, is seeing customers' faces when they pick up their order.

"It makes it all worth it," she said.

Smallcakes is located at 1069 Edgefield Road. They sell cakes, cupcakes, pup cakes and coffee. Smallcakes is open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sunday.

Note: This story appeared in the Aiken Standard, Nov. 5, 2018.