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

Our Story

YOU CAN DO ANYTHING.

The first chapter is not a bakery counter but an office exit in 2008. When assistant media planner Melissa Ben-Ishay was fired, her brother urged her to bake cupcakes at home and build something around them; she went on to become a founder of Baked by Melissa.

Four early inspirations and one small canvas

The mini cupcakes created a compact stage for four early references—peanut butter cup, s’mores, tie-dye, and cookie dough. The bite-size idea began in New York City, and Baked by Melissa's first retail location took the form of a SoHo pickup window.

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

The people around the idea matter

The female-founded identity sits beside a collective origin, with family, friends, and team named as parts of the wider vision. New York City added the creative pressure, confidence, and energy that helped Baked by Melissa advance at the beginning.

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

MAKE LIFE SWEETER.

Baked by Melissa pairs Melissa Ben-Ishay's founder role with a deliberately shared perspective. The closing emphasis belongs to the friends, family, and team connected to the group vision and to what came next.