Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.

Spfld. entrepreneurs find success with 'Stinky Cakes'

Date: 5/13/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD -- They really aren't cakes and they don't stink at all, but Stinky Cakes might just be the most welcomed gift at a baby shower.

The product of a Springfield couple, Mychael and Adrienne Connolly, Stinky Cakes are arrangements of disposable diapers and other baby needs in the shape of a multi-layered cake. From a distance, some of the Stinky Cakes might be mistaken for the edible variety.

Speaking in their home, which doubles as their office, Mychael said the idea came out of an incident in which family members declared that diapers were a suitable gift for a parent with a newborn. Mychael said the couple did some brainstorming and realized that a cake is present at every baby shower. Mychael is a graphic designer and the couple started sculpting a cake with rolled diapers.

Although they started their business on October 2007 as a sideline, the demand for the cakes grew. The Connollys have two sons of their own, but have been active as foster parents. Mychael said that the couple's foster children would tell their friends and teachers about the Stinky Cakes and the business grew by word of mouth.

"People loved them," Mychael said. "They eat them up, no pun intended."

The couple decided to make the enterprise their full-time jobs and set up a Web site (www.stinkycakes.com) to market the cakes. If an order is in the area, Mychael, dressed in kitchen whites and a chef's hat, will personally deliver the cake.

The Stinky Cakes are priced from $24.99 to $54.99 and there are special multiple arrangements as well. The cakes can be personalized and Adrienne said the couple just made one with a Winnie the Pooh theme.

Mychael said that local companies are now ordering Stinky Cakes for their employees who are expecting a child. He showed one cake ready to be delivered to F.L. Roberts with the company's logo on the center ribbon.

He believes that personalized Stinky Cakes can deliver "good brand recognition" for a company.

With the recession people are now facing, the Connollys said they designed a Stinky Cupcake, a smaller, less expensive version.

"That's part of our philosophy," Mychael said. "It's a great gift and everyone should be able to afford a Stinky Cake."

Both Mychael and Adrienne have received recognition for their start-up business. Adrienne was named one of the 200 "Leading Moms in Business" by www.startupnation.com, while Mychael has been honored as one of this year's "40 Under 40" businesspeople by BusinessWest.

The Connollys are hoping they can grow their business enough to pay for a storefront and believe the concept is suitable for franchising. They also hope they will be successful enough to set up a foundation to combat teen pregnancy and teach teen mothers life skills.

For more information on Stinky Cakes, call 726-9528.