The bakery turned 26 this year. Along with this milestone, I had a feeling that maybe the bakery ( and me as well!) could use a bit of re-branding... a kind of  business facelift. I began thinking . "Is it time to re-do the logo? Are we still fresh in the minds of our consumers and/or potential customers? Are we still relevant , among the growing competition of cupcake shops, food trucks and Pinterest DIYers? " Does our website communicate what we are all about?".

Even with my  marketing degree, I find it hard sometimes to take a look at the business  objectively.

In the meantime, one of my fav cousins began  teaching advertising copywriting at MSU. He suggested Sweet Maria's as a potential case study for his senior class' final presentations. What a great opportunity!  I jumped at the chance.

We skyped to discuss objectives,: emails and phone calls followed. These students were really taking their Sweet Maria project seriously.. even their do-it-yourself cupcakes came out great!

At semester's end it was off to East Lansing for the final presentations.

This whole experience couldn't have been any better.

It was great meeting with all of these young, enthusiastic, creative students.Every single presentation had something of value; SWOT's , logo re-design, social media strategies, website ideas, promotional ideas.

I spent some quality time with my cousin.

I enjoyed a few days away from the day-to-day bakery operations.

And  after my previous life in the advertising world, it felt great to be the client.

I returned from my time on-campus refreshed ,and with some new business perspectives.

So stay tuned, we are baking some fresh ideas, a few  from our friends ( now graduates!)  at MSU.

go Spartans!