Baked by Melissa bite-size cupcakes in a variety of flavors, New York City

Our Story

YOU CAN DO ANYTHING.

A sharp contrast opens the history. Melissa Ben-Ishay entered 2008 as an assistant media planner and was fired; her brother then encouraged a very different course centered on baking cupcakes at home and creating a business. From that pivot, Melissa Ben-Ishay became a founder of Baked by Melissa.

Melissa Ben-Ishay with her mother, early days of Baked by Melissa.
Melissa Ben-Ishay with her brother Brian
Melissa Ben-Ishay and Scottie, Baked by Melissa team early days.
Melissa Ben-Ishay with her parents, who supported the founding of Baked by Melissa.

Small scale, broad flavor vocabulary

The size was deliberately compact—mini and bite-size—while the early flavor vocabulary ranged across peanut butter cup, cookie dough, tie-dye, and s’mores. Baked by Melissa started in New York City, where a small SoHo pickup window served as its first retail location.

Baked by Melissa early days collage — SoHo pickup window, cupcake boxes, first team.

One company, many contributors

Another contrast pairs one female-founded company with many contributors. New York City influenced creative energy and early movement; family, friends, and team joined the group vision described by Baked by Melissa.

Melissa Ben-Ishay of Baked by Melissa in New York City.

MAKE LIFE SWEETER.

Melissa Ben-Ishay is named as a founder, but the final emphasis is plural. Baked by Melissa's group vision places family, friends, and team alongside the founder in the record of how the company developed.