Oconee Cake Co. a childhood dream turned reality

Published 12:00 pm Monday, September 12, 2022

Since she was a little girl, opening her own bakery has been Mallory Weldon’s dream. Baking played such a huge role in her life growing up. 

Mallory Weldon grew up in Milledgeville and attended Georgia Military College from middle school through college. In the present day, she works at GMC and lives with her husband, Nathan, and stepdaughter. 

“Both of my grandmothers are very talented bakers, and I grew up in the kitchen with both of them,” Weldon said. “One of my earliest memories is actually standing up in one of the kitchen chairs to reach the counter so I would be able to help them bake.” 

Her dream became a reality when she opened Oconee Cake Co. in March. 

Weldon said that she is excited to finally get started. The bakery is home-based and hours vary. 

“I am taking messages and orders anytime,” she said. 

Oconee Cake Co. may be an at-home business, but Weldon does offer order pickup and delivery.

The business opened in Milledgeville because this is where Weldon grew up, and this place holds a special place in her heart. 

At Oconee Cake Co., customers will likely find a little bit of everything when it comes to desserts. She specializes in cakes, cupcakes and cookies. A selection of breads and pastries can also be found on the bakery’s menu. That wide range of menu items is what Weldon says makes Oconee Cake Co. unique. 

The pricing for these items can vary depending on the order, according to Weldon, who added that the most popular cakes that she sells are chocolate with strawberry icing and vanilla with chocolate. She hopes to add items like cinnamon rolls, danishes and doughnuts to the menu. 

Building a business while also working at GMC is certainly no small feat. 

“It was a lot of family support and motivation,” she said. “It was an incredible process, seeing a dream come to fruition.”

Since opening in March, Weldon has worked to grow and get the word out about her business. “Business is building slowly. Starting a business can be a tedious process, but it is very rewarding,” she said. 

“The response from the community has been so inspiring.” 

What Weldon says she enjoys most about running her business is the fact that she has been able to turn a hobby that she loves into an actual job. Owning and running Oconee Cake Co. requires balance considering that Weldon has her day job as a registrar assistant at GMC.

Building Oconee Cake Co. has been as a process but Weldon has found something that keeps her motivated and pushing forward. 

“To turn my dreams into reality and to add another facet to the Milledgeville community,” she said.