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#LOVELANSING

A Sweet Encounter Built to Last

ikki Thompson Frazier has always loved baking,
cooking, and working with kids. She is a Girl Scouts
troop leader for both of her daughters and enjoys
N hands-on activities with kids. Nikki decided to
turn her passion into a business. She started out thinking
about doing what she loves, make it pandemic proof, and
making sustainable post-Covid. The result was Sweet
Encounter Kids Culinary Academy, which was created
last December, initially offering two primary services.

“There are two things we offer; one is our monthly kid’s
subscription boxes, which go out to kids and include
three theme-based recipes and a utensil of the month,”
said Thompson Frazier. “We also have hands-on cooking
classes for kids, which I started doing virtually.”

Though Nikki has operated primarily in the virtual space,
she will soon have a storefront location in downtown
Lansing, thanks to being named the recipient of the Lansing
Built to Last competition. That program launched in
February by Dewpoint, the Burgess Institute, and LEAP
offered entrepreneurs a chance to pitch their business idea
to be awarded an impressive package of benefits to help
sustain their business. Sweet Encounter was chosen as the
Built to Last recipient from a list of five finalists. As a result,
Sweet Encounter will receive a 3,083-square-foot office
in downtown Lansing with a full year of covered business
services and expenses, including free rent and a physical
renovation budget; free business insurance, legal counsel
and IT support; and free branding, marketing, publicity,
and website creation. Nikki says she was overwhelmed and
speechless when she received the news.

“I thought this is such a gift,” said Thompson Frazier.
“This is an opportunity to build a business of my dreams
and having tons of support along the way.”

Nikki has recently met with an architect to begin planning
the build-out, which will take several months. The
physical storefront will have three modes of operation. There will be a bakery While the store build-out continues, Sweet Encounter customers can take
case in the front of the store where customers can get fresh bakery items every advantage of all the opportunities offered virtually and through in-person
day and order cakes, including wedding cakes and pies. The store will also classes taught at the Allen Neighborhood Center. For sure, Nikki’s business
offer classes primarily for kids and special classes for adults. is looking at a sweet future!

“We will also create and assemble our subscription boxes in the store and get “I have no other choice but to flourish because I have all this support that is
them in the mail every month to our subscribers,” said Thompson Frazier. geared to help me to thrive,” said Thompson Frazier. n

Love Lansing Like a Local!

ozens of attractions in the Capital region are open and ready to serve you safely and responsibly. By
taking the Greater Lansing Safe Pledge, they have committed to looking out for your health and
well-being. Greater Lansing’s attractions, recreational, and entertainment facilities are inviting
Dyou to come and play this summer. From museums and science centers to arts and outdoor
activities, you’ll discover adventures for all ages right in your backyard! And by supporting the local
tourism industry, you can keep Greater Lansing great! Play, explore and support local! Plan your summer
staycation and find all the participating locations at lansing.org/lovelansing. n

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