Cottage industries are catching on among Northeast Mississippi residents

Cottage industries are catching on among Northeast Mississippi residents

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – It was six years ago, and Hewitt had started a new job at a grocery store, in the bakery. Although she had no experience, she caught on quickly and realized it was a great fit.

‘I started work trying to do it from home, as well as from there, and I loved it, I have always wanted to create something, and make stuff anyway,” Hewitt said.

That fascination turned into a business she named ‘The Sweet Spot Bakery. ‘ The business is an example of the rise of the cottage food industry. Homemade baked goods, jams, jellies, and shelf-stable goods make up the fastest-growing segment.

Hewitt has also expanded “The Sweet Spot’ to a catering business. And while bypassing a traditional brick and mortar location saves money, there is also the creativity and freedom of running a cottage bakery.

‘I love being able to challenge myself with something new, I love doing wedding cakes, birthday cakes, being able to sit down and create something, if someone says, ‘ can you do this?’ I say, maybe, and then sit down and try and do it,” she said.

And like any business, promotion and marketing is key, and also a ch...