[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 184 (Monday, November 18, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6621-S6622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING MISHA'S CUPCAKES

 Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chairman of the Committee on 
Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small 
business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit at the 
heart of our economy. It is my privilege to honor a Florida small 
business that not only creates a great product but also invests time 
and effort into charitable work for the Greater Miami area. This week, 
it is my pleasure to honor Misha's Cupcakes of Coral Gables, FL, as the 
Senate Small Business of the Week.
  Established in 2005, Misha's Cupcakes offers a variety of delicious 
baked goods at its multiple storefronts throughout South Florida. After 
hearing about a small cupcake company in Los Angeles which produced 
1,000 cupcakes a day, founder Misha Kuryla became inspired and believed 
she could replicate the same process. She began baking cupcakes out of 
her kitchen, and after strategically giving away several free samples, 
landed her first wholesale account from a local bakery. What started as 
small, home-based operation has developed into a thriving company, 
employing nearly 70 Floridians. Misha's Cupcakes now produces more than 
10,000 baked goods every day at its stores and warehouse. In addition 
to selling baked goods locally, Misha's Cupcakes sells its products 
nationally through its website. This website offers customers not only 
the ability to order products such as cookies and brownies but also to 
request donated cupcakes for a charity event or fundraiser.
  Misha's Cupcakes' dedication to community service has been central 
since its founding when Misha donated several hundred cupcakes to a 
local breast cancer awareness event. Since then, this business has 
remained committed to serving its community. It has partaken in a wide 
range of community service events, including donating baked goods to 
local food banks and organizing a Hurricane Dorian relief drive for the 
people of the Bahamas. Such dedication to service has made Misha's 
Cupcakes a valuable member of South Florida's community.
  Residents of South Florida have responded to Misha's Cupcakes' 
involvement in their community by becoming loyal customers. In addition 
to receiving rave reviews, the business was named ``Best Cupcakes in 
Miami'' by the Miami New Times in 2014 and ``Best Cupcakes in Florida'' 
by the Daily Meal in 2017. Misha herself has also been honored by the 
community for her dedicated work. In 2012, she was named an ``uncommon 
thinker'' by her alma

[[Page S6622]]

mater, Florida International University--FIU--and participated as a 
speaker at FIU's 2017 Women's Leadership Summit.
  Misha's Cupcakes is a great example of the integral role community 
oriented small businesses play in our unique American economy. I 
commend their efforts to provide a quality product while simultaneously 
making local involvement a priority. Congratulations again to the 
entire team at Misha's Cupcakes. I look forward to watching your 
continued growth and success.

                          ____________________