Cupcake Collection’s Mignon Francois Inspires Student Entrepreneurs during Big Idea Week

A week of stories, mentorship and ideation inspires any major think like an entrepreneur

Belmont’s Thomas F. Cone Center for Entrepreneurship successfully hosted several events for Big Idea Week, continuing its mission to empower students with an entrepreneurial mindset.  

“It doesn't matter to us whether you're a Massey College of Business student or not,” said Massey Dean Randy Bradley. “If you're a Belmont student with an idea, vision or passion in your heart to change the world our Cone Center for Entrepreneurship is here to support you.” 

A featured event of Belmont’s top entrepreneurship program, Big Idea Week exemplifies a hands-on approach to entrepreneurial education by inviting students from every major to tap into resources, build networks and connect with accomplished leaders. 

First-generation business owner of The Cupcake Collection Mignon Francois visited campus for Big Idea Week as the keynote speaker to share the story of her entrepreneurial journey. 

Mignon’s Story: From 5 to Over 5 Million 

When Mignon Francois started The Cupcake Collection, she didn't know how to bake, not even out of a box. In fact, she initially dreamed of becoming a medical doctor, but her struggles in undergraduate biology proved too great. 

“Failure in one season is favor in a season that's coming,” Francois encouraged students during her keynote message. “Had I not taken that science class and failed, I wouldn't be prepared to receive, 17 years later in my kitchen on Jefferson Street, what God had to put into my hand.” 

Inspired by a Dave Ramsey radio ad encouraging listeners to get out of debt by holding a bake sale, Francois decided to formulate a recipe for a favorite cake her grandmother always baked.  

“My grandmother didn't have recipes,” Francois shared. “She just did a pinch of this, a sprinkle of that, a scoop of this. So, when I made the recipe for the first time, it came out busted. My children were, in fact, disgusted!” 

She eventually perfected the recipe and began knocking on doors in her neighborhood, offering free cupcakes to build community buy-in and test her product. As neighbors came back asking to pay for more cupcakes, her business began to take shape. 

While struggling to keep her lights on, Francois received a business opportunity that would catalyze her baking journey and set her on the path to financial freedom. After negotiating a pay-per-batch deal for an unexpected order of 600 cupcakes, she used her last $5 to earn $60. 

“I took that 60 and I turned it into $600 by the end of the week, and I've been flipping that same money since 2008,” she said. “I did it with no debt, no experience in the business, no knowledge, no credit and here I am.” 

This year, The Cupcake Collection celebrates 17 years in business and over 5 million cupcakes sold. Francois now owns the very house where her business began, serving as both her Nashville storefront and a lasting symbol of her journey of determination, faith and hope.

The Cupcake Collection has earned numerous awards since its inception including Top Five Best Bakeries in the U.S., FedEx Small Business of the Year, Black Enterprise Business of the Year, NAACP Power Shift Rank and Best Cake in Tennessee and Louisiana — the only two states she has stores in —  and other awards.   

From Scripture to Strategy 

Following her keynote presentation, Francois joined a small group of student entrepreneurs, Massey faculty and Dean Bradley for a private lunch.  

As the share her story, Francois referenced Biblical scripture as a cornerstone of her two-part approach to success — grounding her journey in both faith and resourcefulness. She also emphasized the importance of recognizing and using the resources available to you, a theme she revisited from her keynote address. 

"That's the beauty of this setting,” she said. “I wish everybody could know what continuing education can provide for you because that's what the university experience is about. You're paying your money to come to Belmont so that you can have an opportunity to sit in rooms like this, and have professors and professionals say you need to come and listen, and you need to be at this event.” 

As the conversation unfolded, Francois offered students practical wisdom drawn from her own experience. She encouraged them to hone their communication and self-promotion skills, stay grounded in their faith and invest in authentic relationships that nurture both personal and professional growth.  

Other Big Idea Week Events 

To kick off the week, students were invited to discover how their passions and talents can spark the next great entrepreneurial idea at the What’s Your Big Idea? Workshop. In addition to Francois’ visit, five Belmont students connected with the city’s top entrepreneurs at a Speaker Labs event hosted by EO Nashville, the largest of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization in the nation.  The week concluded with the annual Cone Pitch Competition, where 14 students pitched their business ideas and five won cash prizes. 

Overall, Big Idea Week embodied the University’s mission to cultivate creative, values-driven entrepreneurs ready to transform ideas into impact.