[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 129 (Monday, July 28, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4770-S4771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING SWEETS BY KEKE
Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as chair of the Senate Committee on
Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an
outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American
entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize
Sweets by Keke of New Hampton, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the
Week.
In January 2021, mother-daughter duo, Jenny and Kenzie Bouillon,
started Sweets by Keke in their garage with the vision of selling
homemade baked goods to their community. By October, Sweets by Keke
expanded to a location on East Main Street in New Hampton, IA, where
the bakery still operates today. The name, Sweets by Keke, is inspired
by Kenzie, who helps run the family business with her mom Jenny, her
dad Randy, and siblings Chelsie and Carver. When the business was just
taking off, Kenzie was a high school student and took classes towards
her associate's degree from Northeast Iowa Community College. In May of
2021, Kenzie graduated with both her high school and college diplomas,
highlighting her hard-working character that has led to the business'
success.
The sweets are made from special Bouillon family recipes. Two fan
favorites are their cheesecakes and sugar cookies. Cheesecakes are a
specialty product made by Kenzie, who creates and rotates new flavors
weekly, including raspberry swirl, sea salt caramel, key lime, and
more. The bakery produces a wide variety of products, including
homemade mini cakes, apple cinnamon snickerdoodles, and custom sugar
cookies. Sweets by Keke also offers lunch specials. The business has
become the go-to spot for the Chickasaw County community for baked
goods for holidays, weddings, and events.
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Sweets by Keke not only serves quality baked goods but also gives
back to their community. Jenny and her family are consistently
contributing to local fire departments, schools, and more. Every
spring, the family works with local schools through the National Honor
Society to provide prizes and sweet treats for their annual proms.
Sweets by Keke also donates and provides baked goods year-round for
local events supporting army veterans, a cause that is very near and
dear to the family. Sweets by Keke is also a member of the New Hampton
Chamber of Commerce.
Through their sweet offerings and dedication to the community, Sweets
by Keke has become a standout business in New Hampton, IA. This year,
Sweets by Keke looks forward to celebrating its fourth anniversary in
Iowa. I want to congratulate Jenny and Kenzie Bouillion and the entire
Bouillion family for their hard work and dedication to providing
exceptional services to families across Iowa and beyond. I look forward
to seeing their continued growth and success.
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