017: How She Turned $5 into a Multi-Million Dollar Cupcake Business with Mignon François

Today we’re welcoming Mignon François onto the Podcast. She’s a speaker, entrepreneur, and community leader here in Nashville who has inspired thousands through her “Follow Your Spirit” approach.   After years of drowning in debt and brokenness, Mignon founded The Cupcake Collection in 2008, on the last $5 she had to feed her family and turned it into a legacy with over five million cupcakes sold. Her grassroots story of success has garnered national attention from TODAY with Hoda and Jenna, Southern Living, Entrepreneur and Business Insider just to name a few.   In addition, her business savvy has earned her numerous titles and awards, including Woman of Legend and Merit, Entrepreneur of the Year, Women’s Empowerment Innovator, NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur, and Black Enterprise magazine’s Family Business of the Year.   Today, Mignon is committed to teaching anyone who will listen about what they can do if only they believe. In her brand new memoir, Made from Scratch: Finding Success Without a Recipe, Mignon shares her story of finding success with no presets in place, mapping a journey that led to the joy that has become synonymous with Mignon François.   In our conversation, we discussed how she learned how to take a challenge and turn it into an opportunity, leading her to make more money than she ever had before. Most importantly, her success is a reminder that success is not always about having a plan or following a traditional path but about taking opportunities and making the most of them.  

Be Resourceful and Believe in Yourself

One key theme in Mignon Francois’s story is resourcefulness. When faced with financial difficulties, she did not give up but instead found a way to turn a $5 investment into a thriving business. She used her creativity and ingenuity to make the most of what she had, buying ingredients and turning them into cupcakes that she could sell for a profit. This resourcefulness is a hallmark of successful entrepreneurs who are able to find solutions to problems and turn obstacles into opportunities.   Another important aspect of Mignon’s story is her belief in herself. Despite lacking experience in the baking industry and not knowing how to bake at first, she had faith in her abilities and was willing to take risks. She invested in herself and her business, even when no one else would, and worked tirelessly to make her dream a reality. This belief in oneself is essential for success, as it allows entrepreneurs to persevere through challenges and setbacks and keep moving forward.   Mignon’s story also highlights the importance of using available resources, including the wisdom and knowledge of others. She turned to her grandmother for guidance on baking and cooking, using the skills she had learned as a child to start her business. This willingness to learn from others and use their knowledge and experience is a key trait of successful entrepreneurs, who understand that they cannot do everything alone and need to rely on the expertise of others to succeed.  

Be Authentic And Ask for Help

From her early days of baking in her kitchen to building a successful business, Mignon never tried to be someone she wasn’t. She embraced her messy, imperfect self and used her unique perspective to create something truly special, and this is a lesson we can ALL learn.   At the same time, Mignon recognized that she couldn’t do it all on her own. Whether it was getting advice on how to run a business or asking Eric Thomas to write the foreword to her book, Mignon understood that she didn’t have to do everything herself.   This is a lesson that can be applied to all areas of life. Too often, we try to present a polished, perfect version of ourselves to the world, even when it’s not authentic. We’re afraid to ask for help because we don’t want to seem weak or vulnerable. But the truth is that we all have strengths and weaknesses, and we all need support from others at times.   By embracing our true selves and asking for help when we need it, we can build stronger, more fulfilling relationships and achieve greater success in our personal and professional lives. As Francois’ story shows, it’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.   Mignon’s story is a testament to the power of faith and self-belief. By trusting in God and in herself, she was able to overcome numerous obstacles and achieve success beyond her wildest dreams. Her story is an inspiration to anyone who is struggling to achieve their goals or who is facing challenges in their personal or professional lives. It reminds us that, even in the darkest moments, we can find the strength to keep going if we believe in ourselves and in a higher power.   Don’t forget to pick up her book, Made from Scratch: Finding Success Without a Recipe! This episode is sponsored by Creator Source, an all-in-one platform that helps creators monetize their social media following. Head to https://www.getcreatorsource.com/trustissues to get started.

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