Meet Mary Jane Wilson, the owner and heart and soul behind the business, Thoughtful Baking Co. The business is reimagining comfort food with a fresh, local twist. From decadent desserts to savory pot pies and quiches, Thoughtful Baking Co. focuses on creating delicious meals using ingredients sourced from local farms. During the pandemic, Mary Jane looked for new ways to connect with customers and found a creative solution that allowed her to reach even more people in the community.

Thanks to a Beyond Open grant, Thoughtful Baking Co. was able to invest in three smart refrigerators that function like vending machines, allowing their products to be sold in multiple locations outside of traditional farmers markets. This innovative approach opened up new revenue streams and gave Mary Jane the freedom to experiment with her business in ways she hadn’t considered before.

As Mary Jane shares, “It took a lot of the pressure off and gave me an opportunity I don’t know I would have tried if I had gone the traditional loan route. The impact we've had isn’t just on our own business but has also contributed to a more circular economy, supporting our local food system and community.”

For more information, visit https://www.thoughtfulbakingco.com/