Detroit-based Wani Cakes, founded by Bola and Anwelli Okpue in 2023, is expanding production and planning to have its products in 50 stores in 2025.
Inspired by the response to their wedding cake, a Nigerian vanilla cake with rich buttercream baked by the groom himself, the couple founded Wani Cakes with a mission to revolutionize the bakery industry.
They started at the Dearborn Farmers’ Market, where they introduced a make-your-own cake concept, while selling cakes and toppings separately. Encouraged by strong customer demand, they developed their first retail product — the Omich Cake Kits, featuring individually packaged cakes and toppings in a three-compartment container.
The couple’s goal is to make cakes healthier so more people can enjoy the dessert.
Wani Cakes now specializes in offering snacks, best described as a cake parfait that offer 250 calories or fewer, 8 grams of protein, and less sugar than a cup of yogurt for customers on the go.
Since its founding, the company has grown from local farmers’ markets to major grocery chains like Meijer and Fresh Thyme Market, with the help of SCORE, a national organization that assists small businesses.
“We started with passion, but scaling a business requires discipline and the right guidance,” says Anwelli. “SCORE played a key role in our growth. Its free resources and webinars have helped us refine everything from marketing to operations,”
Wani Cake’s parfaits serve two purposes: maintaining the brand’s indulgent texture while addressing a market gap in the healthier snack segment.
By expanding into 50 stores in 2025, the couple says they are moving closer to their goal of becoming a national brand.
- Name: Wani Cakes
- Address: Detroit
- Email: anwelliokpue@wanicakes.com
- Website: wanicakes.com
- Phone: 734-858-0487
- Category: Food
- Founded: 2023
- Video Link: Click here
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