Caroline Bowen, known as Kaki, is the founder of Sweet Kaki’s Famous Apple Pies and More. In 2019, after suffering a major heart attack and enduring a long recovery, she resolved to live her dream of becoming a full-time baker. Starting with a cottage license, she built her business, later obtaining a commercial license and setting up her own commercial kitchen. Sweet Kaki’s now thrives, with undeniably delicious sweet and savory pies that are made from scratch. Caroline hopes her story inspires others—when you stop delaying your dream and telling yourself “no,” everything becomes possible!

John Edward McGee and Demetrius James, lifelong bakers from Mobile, Alabama, took a career opportunity in San Francisco. While there, they discovered the many delicious desserts all the bakeries had to offer. In 2007, John Edward was diagnosed with Wheat Dependent Exercise Induced Anaphylaxis (WDEIA) after years of anaphylactic reactions. He had to rediscover food and recognize the impact each ingredient had on his body. As a lover of sweets, the lack of gluten-free desserts was disheartening. When they met a mother whose daughter had never had a birthday cake due to a gluten allergy, John Edward & Demetrius were motivated to bake gluten-free to create lasting memories for others.