Celebrating local moms during small business month ahead of Mother’s Day

BOSTON — May is small business month, and the Black Economic Council is highlighting mothers who own businesses as we approach Mother’s Day.

Teresa Maynard is a mom, business owner, and former data analyst for Harvard. She went from corporate America to pursue her passion for sweets.

“My mom was like what do you mean you are going to make cakes? This makes no sense, there is no pension in making cakes!” says Maynard.

The mom of three got the inspiration for pastries when she was pregnant with her youngest child.

“I was in search of a cupcake like a crazy person, but I have a nut allergy so I couldn’t just go to a bakery and pick up some cupcakes,” says Maynard.

So, she hit the kitchen figuring out what recipes worked for her, and started Sweet Teez Bakery in 2016.

“It was really a leap of faith and I decided this was the one thing I would try even if I failed at it,” says Maynard.

Teresa operates her business out of CommonWealth Kitchen. It is a shared space in Dorchester for entrepreneurs. The executive director says it provides minority businesses with information to successfully run a business.

“We describe it as a gym membership for food businesses so people can literally come and spend money and spend just what they need to build their business. We really pair that with a ton of educational programming because it is really hard to start a food business,” says Jen Faigel, Executive Director of CommonWealth Kitchen.

With the help of CommonWealth Kitchen, Maynard says her business thrives. Some of her clients include fans in the luxury boxes at Patriots’ games, but she says the best part of it all is being an example to her kids.

“My daughter was 10 and she was like ‘Mommy how old do I have to be to start my own business?’” says Maynard.

As for other moms who also want to start a business?

“Just tip your toe in you don’t have to go in full throttle but just start small,” says Maynard.

Next up, Maynard will be moving into her own brick-and-mortar by the end of the year.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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