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Just Baked
Pam Turkin, founder Just Baked, said rising real estate costs are a problem as she grows her cupcake business.
- Revenue: $3.2 million
- Number of employees: 100
- Location: Detroit
- Website: justbakedshop.com
Pam Turkin feels a unique connection to Obama.
"I started the business the same week that President Obama was inaugurated in 2008," she said. "I feel like I've spent the first four years growing my business with him."
Turkin has expanded her cupcake business to 13 locations, churning out 250,000 cupcakes a month, and now employs 100 people.
"The first four years haven't been bad for us. We plan to keep moving forward," she said. On the horizon: Three more locations in Detroit and expansion into Ohio.
Turkin, who already offers insurance to her workers, said she plans to hire 20 more employees. "I tell my employees that I may have reduce raises but I believe that it's my responsibility to share their health care costs," she said.
As Turkin's business grows, she's becoming concerned by rising real estate costs. "The real estate market has tightened up in the last four years," she said. "I'm having a hard time getting affordable rates for my new locations."
- Last updated November 14 2012 06:29 AM ET
