Inez Hudson, a 73-year-old grandmother from Lakeland, Florida, has seen her homemade pies and cakes sell out rapidly after a TikTok video sharing her story went viral. Hudson, who sets up her stand outside ‘Super Choice Foods’ in Lakeland three days a week, has been baking since she was young and started selling her goods to support her church.
Her menu features delectable treats such as pineapple pound cake with cream cheese icing, red velvet cake with cream cheese icing and pecans, and sweet potato pie. Hudson proudly does all the baking herself. “I got into baking when I was very young, and it’s just something I like to do,” Hudson told Fox 13 News. “I started doing this for the church, and as years went by, I kept baking and selling.”
Since November 2018, Hudson has been selling her cakes and pies outside the grocery store. She often wakes up at midnight to begin baking, never knowing whether the next day will be slow or a sell-out. Her business took a dramatic turn when a local named Mannie shared a heartwarming TikTok video about her story, which has garnered nearly 800,000 views.
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Mannie explained that his intention was to support Hudson’s small business, not to gain social media fame. “I just wanted local people to support each other because that’s the best rewarding experience,” he said.
Jimeld Zad, the owner of Super Choice Foods, supports Hudson by allowing her to use the space free of charge. Hudson, who sells her cakes to supplement her fixed income after retiring, appreciates the surge in attention. Despite her newfound fame making her a bit nervous, she remains optimistic and grateful.
“It makes me feel happy because I’ve been doing this for so long and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Hudson said. While she dreams of having her own company one day, she is content with her current simple setup.
Hudson’s story is a testament to the power of community support and the positive impact of social media in promoting small businesses.