The Sweet Beginning: How It All Started
Picture this: you’re a college student juggling Healthcare Management classes at Middle Tennessee State University, and your best friend’s birthday is coming up. Most people would grab a card and call it a day. Not Raven Simpson. She decided to bake a cake from scratch, despite having zero professional training.
Her only guides? Those baking shows she’d watched with her mom growing up and whatever YouTube could teach her. It sounds crazy, but that homemade birthday cake changed everything. Friends couldn’t stop talking about it, and suddenly everyone wanted Simpson to make their celebration cakes too.
Her sister saw the spark before anyone else did. She pushed Simpson to take the leap, and with exactly $100 to her name, Sweet Cakes by Ray was born. No business plan, no investors, just pure grit and a belief that good things happen when you follow your gut.
Building Dreams Against All Odds
Here’s the thing about starting a business when you’re young and don’t have a roadmap: everything feels like you’re making it up as you go. Simpson’s parents weren’t entrepreneurs. Her mom worked for the IRS, her dad was a Fire Department Chief. Sure, her father had a side construction gig, but to young Raven, that just meant dad was good at fixing stuff around the house.
So when she decided to turn cake-making into a real business, she was flying blind. And let’s be honest, the world wasn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for a young Black woman trying to make it in the food industry. People questioned whether she was capable because of her gender. Others doubted her because of her race. Some dismissed her simply because she was “too young” to know what she was doing.
The worst part? The mental toll it all took. Simpson was trying to be a full-time student, work two jobs, figure out her career path, maintain relationships, and build a business. All in her twenties. The pressure led to battles with depression and anxiety, that constant nagging feeling that she wasn’t doing enough or being enough.
But here’s what separated Simpson from everyone else: she turned all that doubt into fuel. Every time someone said she couldn’t do something, she heard it as a challenge to prove them wrong.
The Art of Celebration: Sweet Cakes by Ray
Simpson calls Sweet Cakes by Ray a “celebratory bakery,” and once you see her work, you get it. These aren’t just desserts; they’re edible happiness. Her heart-shaped cakes have become legendary around Nashville, but she’ll create whatever vision you have for your special moment.
The big leap happened at the end of 2023 when Simpson decided to go full-time with her business. “I know God is with me and I decided to take a chance on myself,” she says. It’s the kind of faith-meets-hustle mentality that makes dreams happen.
Check out her Instagram and you’ll see what all the fuss is about. Wedding cakes that look like works of art, graduation celebrations that make you smile, and those random Tuesday treats that remind you life’s worth celebrating. Each creation tells a story, and Simpson’s the artist behind it all.
Faith, Family, and Fire: The Foundation of Success
You can trace Simpson’s work ethic straight back to her parents. Growing up watching her mom and dad serve their community through public service jobs taught her what real commitment looks like. The faith that got her through the tough times? That’s still the backbone of how she runs her business today.
Then there’s John, her first mentor. This guy took a broke college student to a cake supply store and watched her spend her last $100 on supplies. That wasn’t just about buying ingredients; it was about someone believing in her vision when she barely believed in it herself.
Her sister deserves major credit too. Having someone in your corner who sees your potential before you do? That’s priceless. When self-doubt crept in during those early days, her sister was there to remind Simpson why she started in the first place.
Beyond Baking: Community Impact and Growth
Simpson doesn’t just make cakes; she makes a difference. Her involvement in the Women of Impact campaign shows she’s serious about lifting up other female entrepreneurs. It’s that whole “rising tide lifts all boats” mentality that makes Nashville’s business community so special.
Competing in Nashville’s Dessert Wars was a game-changer. Going head-to-head with established pros and holding her own? That’s when Simpson knew she belonged in this industry. The exposure and connections she made opened doors she didn’t even know existed.
What’s next? A mobile baking cart that’ll pop up at local events, plus hands-on baking classes for people who want to learn her secrets. Simpson’s not just building a business; she’s building a community of people who believe in celebrating life’s sweet moments.
Lessons from a Young Entrepreneur
Simpson’s got a philosophy that’ll stick with you: your dreams should be big enough to scare you a little. If they don’t, you’re probably not dreaming big enough. She’s living proof that the impossible becomes possible when you refuse to let other people’s limitations become your own.
One thing that sets her apart is how she celebrates everyone else’s wins, no matter how small. She gets that recognition and encouragement can change someone’s whole day, maybe even their whole trajectory. It’s not just good business; it’s good humanity.
Her advice to anyone thinking about starting their own thing? “Do not let money, people or anything get in the way of your dreams and what you are trying to accomplish.” Coming from someone who started with $100 and a prayer, that hits different.
The Future is Sweet: What’s Next for Raven Simpson
At 29, Simpson’s still figuring out the whole work-life balance thing. She’s honest about the struggle, which makes her relatable to anyone trying to build something meaningful while maintaining their sanity. The fact that she’s open about these challenges shows she’s human, not just some superhuman entrepreneur.
The expansion plans are exciting but realistic. More events, more classes, more opportunities to share what she’s learned. Simpson wants her mobile cart to become a familiar sight at Nashville festivals, bringing joy one cake at a time.
But maybe the most important thing about Raven Simpson’s story is what it represents. She’s proof that you don’t need a trust fund or an MBA to build something amazing. Sometimes all you need is $100, a YouTube tutorial, and the courage to bet on yourself.
