WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 26, 2018) — Howard University alumna Lila Owens is bringing artisan sweet treats to California’s Bay Area with the recent expansion of her gourmet bakery, Cupcakin’ Bake Shop. What Owens started as a small catering business run out of her Berkeley home has grown to a chain of retail cupcake shops in three locations across Oakland and Berkeley.
“I started baking at home for friends and family. I wanted to join the industry because I knew I could run with the best in terms of product execution. The business really grew organically through word of mouth,” says Owens. “When I set my sites on opening a retail shop, I was lucky to find a storefront in Berkeley, and now we’re expanding to three locations.”
Owens, a former real estate agent with a passion for entrepreneurship and architecture, notes that when she decided to start her career as a gourmet cupcake baker the real estate market was declining and the cupcake world was emerging. She had the confidence and experience to seize the moment.
“It took some soul searching while in real estate to discover what I really wanted to do,” says Owens. “I’ve always had a sweet tooth and thought that a cupcake bakery would just be the coolest business to have. What's most important to me is maintaining integrity and consistency with a really good product.”
Beyond making delicious cupcakes, Owens is clear that the work she’s doing as an entrepreneur baker has an impact on the community. She emphasizes that her products are fresh, artisan and local and strives to create a happy, healthy culture for employees and customers alike. 
“Because I'm born and raised here it's more meaningful and impactful for the community. Because I'm a black woman it's even more important for other people of color. It’s really important that we create an experience when you come into the store. It’s more than just producing or purchasing a cupcake, we treat customers and staff fair.”
Owens has expansion of her locally sourced, hand-crafted brand of cupcakes in mind. She recently opened two satellite locations. The new Telegraph Avenue and Shattuck Avenue locations serve cupcakes baked in the large hub location which she acquired from the former neighborhood staple, Virginia Bakery.
Owens’ connection to her hometown is replicated in her connection to the Howard community. Owens earned a bachelor of science in allied health from Howard University in 1995. Reflecting on her experience at Howard University, Owens is clear that Howard changed the trajectory of her life. Active in the San Francisco/ Bay Area alumni organizations, she participates in the chapter’s send-off for Bay Area students heading to Washington, D.C.
“My experience at Howard definitely changed the trajectory of my life in a positive way. I encourage today’s students not to put so much emphasis on figuring it out. Let things figure themselves out. If you're passionate and have alignment and you're drawn to something, that's probably the field you should work in. Circumstances change, ideas change and the world changes so it’s important to just be flexible.”
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About Howard University
Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.
Media Contact: Misha Cornelius, misha.cornelius@howard.edu
