For Mignon François, wealth is about opportunity. As the daughter of a man born on a sugar cane plantation, building wealth in the same industry her ancestors were excluded from just two generations ago is deeply meaningful. To her, it represents a chance to reshape her family’s legacy, inspire her community, and make an impact on the world.
Early Money Memories
François’ first lessons in money management came as a child, selling cookies with her cousin. The cookies were far from perfect—greasy and leaving the bags oily—but the two were determined. Without access to the internet, they found a recipe, gave it a try, and hit the streets to sell their creations door-to-door. Their goal was to save enough money to buy Cabbage Patch dolls, which cost $30 each—a small fortune to them at the time.
A natural leader even in childhood, François often played “business,” acting as the banker and making pretend money. But when it came to earning real dollars, she and her cousin had to get creative. They tried selling lemonade on a busy street, but few stopped to buy. It wasn’t until a bachelor neighbor took pity on them and bought some cookies that they made their first sale. They even returned to his house later to sell him more cookies—before he’d had a chance to try the first batch.
The older women in François’ life taught her that money was scarce and hard to come by. Even when they worked hard, it often felt like there was never enough to go around.
Core Values and Legacy
François’ decisions are guided by deeply held values rooted in faith, resilience, and family. One of her greatest ambitions is to leave a legacy for her granddaughters. François hopes her name will open doors of opportunity for future generations. The choices she makes today, she believes, are shaping the foundation for the opportunities her granddaughters will one day inherit.
A Risk Worth Taking
When François launched The Cupcake Collection, she kept it a secret from many, including her mother. Her mother valued steady work—finding a reliable job, climbing the corporate ladder, and retiring after decades of service. She figured that if her mother knew she was “playing business,” it would lead to disapproval and an attempt to talk her out of it.
The journey into entrepreneurship was far from easy. With no money, no credit, a mountain of debt, and no knowledge of how to run a business, the odds were stacked against her. At one point, the family was on the verge of losing the house where The Cupcake Collection was established while the bakery was still in the process of opening. Learning of the bakery plan left her mother horrified.
For two years, she worked as if it were a full-time job, mastering the art of baking before even opening the store. The business started with just $5 and amid an economic downturn.
Today, François’ gamble has paid off. The Cupcake Collection has been voted the best cake in Nashville, Louisiana, and Tennessee, and has been recognized as one of the top 10 bakeries in the nation. This success came from a woman who didn’t know how to bake—not even from a box—when she first started.
Now, all recipes are her own, and many are award-winning. She wants others to know that anything is possible with determination and faith. “The power of life and death truly lies in your tongue,” François often says. “If you speak what you seek, you will see it.” Her success is proof of that, and she remains committed to inspiring others to believe in their dreams.
