Already recognized as the SCORE Kalamazoo/Southwest Michigan 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year for her amazing business in Niles, Aiye Akhigbe now adds Bold Woman of Business to her resume thanks to her selection to the class of 2022. Her popular Sticky Spoons Jam company comes after she jettisoned her 9-to-5 job in order to focus on building her own enterprise. Offering unique flavors, all of which are free of any high fructose corn syrup, any artificial flavoring, or preservatives, fans of Sticky Spoons Jam rave about the manner in which they surprise and delight the taste buds. Her nominators say she creates versatile products that can be used on bread, for baking, grilling, or even mixing drinks. They add that Aiye is also a strong supporter of other small businesses by creating gift baskets filled with products from other small business owners in the region. When Rice University hosted a Veterans Business Battle, the Sticky Spoons Jam creator was one of the 16-semi finalists. In addition to running her small enterprise, Aiye conducts a community food donation drive, giving back to food pantries in the market. As the nomination promises, “She makes an impact on everyone’s palate — one taste and you will be hooked!” A driven business woman, and a veteran with a goal-driven purpose, read on for more about Sticky Spoon Jams founder Aiye Akhigbe…another Bold Woman of Business from the Class of 2022.
Name
Aiyenede Akhigbe
Where do you live?
Niles
Company or Organization
Sticky Spoons Jam, LLC
What is your job or role there?
Flavor Creator and Owner
How do you think that Bold Women of Business demonstrate being bold?
By supporting women who are trying to break into entrepreneurship and encouraging those currently in the space, to remain committed to their goals.
Bold women are often defined by a number of descriptors. Please choose from the following descriptors to produce the top three that you would say most exemplify your personality?
Confident…Bright…Strong
Please provide an example of when you feel you were at your very best in taking action on the job or in your role.
Deciding to no longer produce a fast-selling flavor because I could not source my ingredients locally. It meant asking my customers to trust that I would not compromise quality to make a profit.
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened on your road to success?
Someone asked me to give them the recipe of my best-selling flavor. I said “NO!” and the look of shock on their face still makes me laugh when I think of it.
Who most inspires your personal drive for success every day?
My customers are the reason I still enjoy making jam. Nothing beats the reactions I get when a flavor is sampled; some sing, some dance and many utter cuss words.
What is your best advice to women in Southwest Michigan looking to succeed, as you have, in business?
Don’t let the negative voices and comments drown out all the positives you hope to achieve from being an entrepreneur. It may not always be as amazing as you dreamed, however if you focus more on the triumphs, it will be perfectly wonderful enough for you.
What does your selection to the ranks of the Bold Women of Business from Moody on the Market mean to you?
It is truly and honor.
