Smallcakes hold big appeal

Before it was an enticing businesses opportunity, Smallcakes was Mia Jacobs’s favorite place to satisfy her sweet tooth. 

While the Coast native was an active-duty military member living in Georgia, she frequented the cupcakery and creamery, which boasts over 100 locations and growing. Founder Jeff Martin, who appeared on several seasons of Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars,” is behind the Smallcakes brand, which is in high demand nationwide. 

Jacobs and her husband purchased a Smallcakes in D’Iberville in 2019, and when they had the chance to buy a Smallcakes in Gulfport, the idea proved too tempting to pass up. 

“I knew it would be a good decision because it’s easy to promote a product that you like,” she says. “Our goal is to provide tasty, sweet treats to the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.” 

From its downtown location, next to Tony’s Brick Oven Pizzeria and down the street from the Mississippi Aquarium, Smallcakes Gulfport gets a lot of support from the nearby office buildings, Memorial Hospital and the Naval Construction Battalion Center, according to Jacobs. With the arrival of warmer weather, she adds, business has started picking up — with patrons coming in for homemade ice cream, dog-friendly pupcakes, cake pops, cookie sandwiches and — the most popular item —cupcakes galore. 

“They’re popular because they’re fresh, never frozen, and we have a lot of different flavors,” Jacobs says. Smallcakes offers over a dozen signature flavors, including hot fudge sundae, peanut butter cup and lemon drop, and according to Jacobs, “We love coming up with new ideas.” The dozens of creations that have appeared at her store include Kickin’ Kat, Lucky Charms, mudslide, carrot cake, Southern turtle and banana cream pie.

As a Smallcakes owner, Jacobs strives to live up to the business’s mission statement: “To use creative flavors, quality ingredients, and friendly service to provide the finest cupcake experience worthy of returning and recommending.” The gourmet cupcakes are made every morning from scratch, which Jacobs says sets Smallcakes apart from its competitors. 

“Because they are made fresh, you are guaranteed a great-tasting and moist cupcake,” she says. 

Jacobs took a risk opening the business last November in the middle of a pandemic, but she’s pleased with the outcome so far. Changing direction after 32 years in the military, she’s determined to show it’s never too late to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams. 

“I’m looking forward to continued growth and success,” Jacobs says. “I want Smallcakes to be your first choice when it comes to cupcakes.” 

WANT TO GO? 

Smallcakes Gulfport
2421 14th St., Gulfport
(228) 731-3773
Monday-Saturday
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
facebook.com/smallcakesgulfport