Mama J’s in Rochester turns baking into a mission-driven business, using lemon pound cakes to fight hunger and support the community.
Brittany Smiley-Jones never set out to start a business—she just wanted to bake for her family and church. But when a birthday cake went viral, her small act of kindness turned into something bigger. Now, through Mama J’s Southern Lemon Pound Cakes, she’s feeding her community in more ways than one. We sat down with Brittany to hear about her path, her passion for hunger relief and why she believes Greater Rochester is a place where dreams can thrive.
Q: First, tell us a bit about who you are, where you’re from and what you do.
A: My name is Brittany, and I bake lemon pound cakes. 10% of every cake sold supports hunger relief. Every Sunday morning, I go to my church and make hot breakfasts for families and children. My passion is hunger relief, and it’s also a part of my business. I’m from Rochester, NY—born and raised in the 19th Ward neighborhood.
Q: What led you to start Mama J’s Southern Lemon Pound Cakes?
A: After college, I worked a lot of different jobs, including a receptionist position at the University of Rochester. I eventually got a job at Amazon, but when COVID hit, I had to step away. I had planned to travel to Africa, but with everything shut down, I started baking more for my family and church.
One day, I made a birthday cake for my nephew, and his picture with the cake went viral. Christina, who owned a local bakery at the time, saw it on Instagram and reached out. She was curious about my baking and wanted to know more about my passion for hunger relief. After trying one of my cakes, she loved it and shared it with her followers, giving my small business a huge boost. Christina’s support introduced me to a larger audience and helped Mama J’s gain traction. She not only provided exposure but also connected me with people who could further support my business growth.
“There’s so much potential here, especially in education, tech, medicine and the food scene. Rochester is home to a lot of small businesses that are thriving.”
Q: Can you share more about your work in the community?
A: I love connecting people to community resources, whether that’s food cupboards, transportation or home visits for those in need. I also give away food, drop off meals and do what I can to bring a smile to people’s faces. Just letting people know someone cares goes a long way. These are tough times, and I just want to spread positivity and let people know everything’s going to be OK.
Q: What do you love about Greater Rochester?
A: The connections. The support. When I started this, people from so many different backgrounds reached out to help me. Rochester is a melting pot. People don’t have to move to a big city to find diversity and opportunity—it’s all right here.
Q: What makes Rochester unique compared to other cities?
A: A lot of major brands got their start here—Wegmans, Nick Tahou’s, Boss Sauce and so many others. It’s a city where businesses can grow and succeed.
Q: What are some of your favorite things to do around town?
A: I love the Rochester Public Market—I’m there every Saturday. I also love spending time with my family and trying different restaurants. Child Life Family Diner is a great local spot, and I’ve been really into the Asian food scene lately. Mini H-Mart on North Street has the best fried fish.
Q: How has the community supported you?
A: In so many ways. The Democrat & Chronicle reached out to feature me in an article. Through my business, I’ve met incredible people like Norma Holland, a former news anchor for 13WHAM. She took an interest in my story and used her influence to help me gain even more visibility. She shared my work, introduced me to key figures in the community and provided guidance on how to navigate the local business landscape. The support has been overwhelming in the best way.
Q: How does the region inspire you?
A: It pushes me to grow and make a difference. I want to be a light for others, especially the younger generation. There’s so much negativity in the world, but I want to help people see the positive. We have a strong community, and when we work together, we can make real change.
Q: What gives you a sense of pride about where you live?
A: Rochester has a rich history of innovation and entrepreneurship. My family also has deep roots here—my grandparents ran a church for 50 years, dedicating their lives to helping people in need. That legacy means everything to me.
Q: If you had to describe Rochester in one word or phrase, what would it be?
A: A diamond in the rough.
Q: How do you see Rochester growing, and what’s on the horizon?
A: There’s so much potential here, especially in education, tech, medicine and the food scene. Rochester is home to a lot of small businesses that are thriving. You don’t have to be in a huge city to make a big impact.
