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Writer's picturePaula Anderson

Food entrepreneur bakes cookies made from the ‘heart’

by Paula Anderson


As a college student at Tennessee State University (TSU), Mikayla Jones, wanted to pay her own way, so she started baking cookies.


“I wanted to buy things for myself and not have to call my parents, “ said Jones. “I asked random people if I could bake in their homes.”


Jones sold cookies Thursday - Sunday and classmates were her initial customers on campus.


Since this time, she has graduated and holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from TSU, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).


Now, she is continuing to develop her brand and setting the standard for the best cookies.


Mikayla Jones/Courtesy photo

VenaCava Baking & Co. is the official business name, and it is an online store.


“E-commerce has allowed me to grow and learn what works and does not work. Having an e-commerce business allows you to keep your overhead low and build out where you want to go,” said Jones.


The business is named after two arteries in the heart (superior vena cava and inferior vena cava) and it has significance.


“VenaCava was chosen as the name because it is an artery which is a direct connection to your heart and that leads to your stomach. I thought of the name in high school and said one day, I am going to use it,” said Jones.




The online bakery has over 40 gourmet flavors. Some of the flavors are Almeda, Belafonte, Half-Baked and Strawberry Butter. A few of her clients today are Citizens Bank, Urban League of Middle Tennessee, Hydrate the Hood, Corner to Corner and Aveda of Green Hills.


Jones had to develop and cultivate her knowledge about becoming a business owner.


“Entrepreneurship has taught me how to show up and advocate for myself,” she said.


“Each year, I am trying to learn new skills and better position myself in my business or my network.”


She participated in the Academy powered by Corner to Corner - a business program that equips underestimated entrepreneurs with the skills they need to turn their ‘dreams into a money making reality.’


While attending the Academy, they look at fine tuning your business structure, stated Jones.


”We covered mission, vision, business model, pricing and your ideal customer,” said Jones. It teaches you to focus on one thing and build the house around it.”


“Corner to Corner gives you a foundation and a network. There is continuous education and support for classes and events to meet other people and connect with lawyers.”


Jones also participated in Walker’s Legacy business accelerator. According to the website, “the company equips entrepreneurial Black and Brown women with the tools to level up their businesses while leveling the business playing field.”


Nashville Black Market | Feb. 11 | Nashville. Tenn. Photo Credit: Writing by Design Media, Inc.

Running and learning how to manage a business can be challenging.


“Entrepreneurship has taught me to be comfortable with failing forward. It is life-long learning.”


She said, "The money will come, the resources will come and the events will come."


“We don’t reap the benefits in the same season.”


To learn more about VenaCava Baking and Company and place an order, click here.

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