Meet Marckita Wilkes | Cake Artist and Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marckita Wilkes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marckita, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The bulk of Marckita’s Munchies success has been word of mouth and referrals from my loyal and repeat customers. If I make a mistake, I do my best to make it right. Customer service along with providing a great product/service is key. Also putting the face of Marckita’s Munchies in front of people consistently on social media helps a lot. I post all of my work via Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok,

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I first started my business, I was only offering traditional cakes such as pound cakes, red velvet, coconut, key lime, etc. I hated art class in high school, so I did just enough to pass the class. In my mind, there was not a ‘creative bone’ in my body, lol. I couldn’t draw much more than a stick person. In January 2018. I had a customer request a cake with fondant work. I initially turned it down because fondant intimidated me bad and I had never thought about working with it before. After talking to my husband about it, he encouraged me to give it a try and if I didn’t like it, I would never have to work with it again. I went straight to YouTube and learned how to work with fondant. I make the cake for my client and it came out great! I was so proud of myself and the I started making custom cakes with fondant. My client was so pleased with he cake she started ordering more custom cakes. Making that first cake with fondant was so scary, but I’m glad I listened to my husband and stepped out of my comfort zone, Marckita’s Munchies is a third generation baker. I inherited the recipes from my deceased mother and grandmother, but sat on them for 8 years before I attempted my grandmother’s famous 7 up Pound Cake recipe.
If it were not for them, there would be no Marckita’s Munchies.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would definitely hit up the Tennessee Aquarium, Tennessee Valley Railroad Dinner Train ride then ride to Atlanta to hit up Toast on Lenox for Brunch and Rays on the River for dinner. And of course throw in a little shopping at Lenox or Cumberland Mall.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I graduated from Launch Chattanooga November, 2017. Launch is a 10 week unique entrepreneur program that offers training, support, and resources to small businesses. Before Launch, I had no idea where to even start or how to start my business or get the word out. Susan Freeman, my instructor at the time, poured into me and my vision and later became a client! I have built business and personal relationships with people I met at Launch, so thank you LAUNCH CHATTANOOGA!

Website: www.marckitasmunchies.com

Instagram: marckitas_munchies

Facebook: Marckita’s Munchies