In the heart of Port Huron, Royal-T Cakery has built a reputation for turning flour and sugar into high-quality custom art. Known for its intricate wedding cakes and artisanal treats, the boutique bakery is a family-run operation led by Beverly Taylor and her husband. While their craftsmanship earned them a loyal local following, the administrative side of the business was beginning to become over-leavened.

When Beverly first engaged with the Michigan SBDC, the business was facing significant hurdles. Royal-T Cakery had four years of unfiled taxes, no formal bookkeeping system and lacked a professional website to capture new leads. The “back-office” requirements of running a business had become overwhelming for the small team, creating a sense of operational strain that threatened their long-term stability.

Beverly was accepted into the Eastern Michigan Small Business Network Cohort, where she began working with Senior Business Consultant Shannon Schwabe. Shannon provided a supportive environment for Beverly to disclose the business’s challenges and together they developed a comprehensive roadmap for a “business reset.”

Through the cohort, Shannon guided Beverly in accessing $7,000 in grant-funded services allowing the Michigan SBDC to connect Royal-T Cakery with specialized third-party experts. McBride – Manly was brought in to tackle the multi-year tax backlog, while BluRiver Creative provided the photography and technical expertise needed to launch a professional digital storefront.

The transformation over the past year has been remarkable. After clearing the tax hurdles, Beverly is now transitioning to QuickBooks with professional training to ensure the bakery remains “accountant-ready.” Even while navigating this administrative overhaul, Royal-T Cakery saw a 4% increase in sales in 2025, and sales continue to trend upward almost every month. The business successfully maintained its staff of three part-time employees and entered 2026 with a focus on systemizing operations for continued growth.

Reflecting on the partnership, Beverly credits the Michigan SBDC with providing the clarity and support necessary to save and scale her passion. “Honestly, the Michigan SBDC has been a godsend,” Beverly said. “I don’t understand why every business isn’t out there doing this—it has been an incredible experience.”