Melissa Ben- Ishay

Melissa Ben-Ishay transitioned from an advertising agency employee to the founder and CEO of Baked by Melissa, a well-known cupcake company. After launching initial operations for Baked by Melissa in late 2008, Melissa Ben-Ishay quickly built a renowned cupcake company, establishing its first retail presence in SoHo by March 2009. Ben-Ishay initially founded the company, with encouragement from her brother Brian Bushell, operating from the basement of Cafe Bari before achieving sales success at holiday markets in prominent New York City locations such as Union Square and Bryant Park. The strategic pop-up window in SoHo was a significant milestone, co-founded with her brother and three additional partners, setting the stage for substantial retail expansion.

As CEO, Ben-Ishay continues to drive the brand’s growth and maintain its reputation for distinctive confectionery, ensuring its ongoing success and market leadership.