For Small Business Week, the Division of Small Business is celebrating Delaware small businesses that pivoted successfully during the pandemic. Today, we feature Kee’s Cookies & Cupcakes in Clayton and Old New Castle.

Niya Bolden is looking happily toward a future that involves selling even more of her incredible cupcakes.

Bolden owns Kee’s Cookies & Cupcakes.

She has two locations: her original storefront in Clayton that opened in 2017 and a location in Old New Castle that opened in September.

The pandemic forced Bolden, like many small business owners, to change the way she runs her business.

At a time when many people are looking to stay out of stores, Bolden introduced contactless options for her customers.

She started offering curbside pickup, added mobile ordering so customers could place and pay for orders online and extended the DoorDash delivery zone for her Clayton store so she could serve customers as far away as Dover.

Instead of the in-person baking classes Bolden previously held at the Clayton Fire Hall, she now sells cupcake baking kits and offers virtual baking classes. The classes are drawing about 20 students and Bolden plans to add separate classes for younger children and teenagers.

These changes, along with a HELP loan and DE Relief Grant from the Division of Small Business, have Bolden feeling optimistic about her this summer and beyond.

“Wedding season is back!” says Bolden, who provides desserts for weddings and other special occasions. She already has six weddings on the calendar for this year and another two booked for next year.