Changing the Service Industry, One Cookie at a Time

I've always been honest with y'all and even though it's hard to ask for help, I decided that I shouldn't be ashamed for needing it. Okay now here's some facts, costs increased, project took longer than projected, we can't really control the city, and we can't really qualify for a standard loan because we're built on sustainability, not profitability. The last thing we need is assistance with inventory, accessibility fixtures, and permits/fees. WE'RE SO CLOSE TO OPENING, we have our main inspections in the next several days, we just need a little help crossing the finish line!

Will update this as much as I can to give y'all the official soft opening date, baby!

Midwest Sad: Changing the Service Industry, One Cookie at a Time

The service industry has been broken for a long time—burnout, underpaying staff, toxic kitchens, and a constant cycle of instability for small businesses and workers alike. I’ve spent over a decade in this industry, and I know firsthand how unsustainable it can be. But instead of accepting it, I decided to build something different.

Midwest Sad isn’t just about baking. It’s about proving that queer, women-owned businesses don’t have to fit inside anyone else’s expectations. That we don’t have to shrink ourselves, soften our edges, or play along with a system that wasn’t built for us.

For most of my career, I’ve been harassed, assaulted, and made fun of—told I wasn’t strong enough, smart enough, or capable enough to succeed in this industry. I’m sick of it. Things need to change. And if no one else is going to change them, I will.

Midwest Sad is built on three things:

Sustainability – No more burnout culture. We focus on long-term success, not just surviving shift to shift.

Ethics – No toxic kitchen environments. No underpaid, overworked employees. Just people who are valued.

Fun – Because I refuse to let this industry steal my joy anymore.

Right now, Midwest Sad is growing, but we’re dreaming big. We want to build a community kitchen that provides free rent to food entrepreneurs for six months, helping them launch their own businesses without crushing financial barriers. We want to offer free meals, accept food stamps, and ensure that good food is accessible to everyone—not just those who can afford it.

I’m not here to be what others expect of me. I’m here to be myself, to fight for the next generation of food workers, and to build something that actually matters.

Food should be for everyone. Safe kitchens should be the norm. Queer, women-owned businesses should thrive without compromise.

This is just the beginning.

This video was made for kickstarter BUT we still wanna use this as our main video cause we love it so much, we hope you do too!

"No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe."