Sweet Peaches wants a bigger piece of the pie; crowdfunding could scale this small biz across US

Community support will be key for Sweet Peaches Cobblers next batch of growth, said Denisha Jones, announcing plans to use Kickstarter funding to pack her flavorful and beloved family desserts into the freezers of more major retailers across the U.S.

Already a local Kansas City favorite, Sweet Peaches Cobbler can be found in more than 600 grocery stores nationwide thanks to partnerships with major retailers, and is currently working on securing a deal with Walmart. Jones’ recently launched Kickstarter campaign aims to expand her company’s reach — making new fans of its popular frozen cobblers.

“I’m excited to bring Sweet Peaches to more customers, but we need help to take the next step,” Jones said, explaining that the Kickstarter will help fund additional inventory, hire a second co-packer, and expand her product line. “This is a huge opportunity for us.”

Click here to learn more about the Kickstarter campaign.

Sweet Peaches Cobblers

From family recipe to frozen aisles

The Sweet Peaches founder’s journey began with a craving, she said, describing a day when a passing thought about her grandmother’s peach cobbler turned into an irresistible appetite for recreating the family favorite.

“I tried to recreate her recipe because she never wrote it down,” Jones said.

Her ingredients: memories and a pandemic-era kitchen primed for experimentation, she recalled, detailing how her home baking was an exercise in learning on the fly and relying on family members for feedback.

“On the seventh trial, I finally got it right,” said Jones, laughing about her early attempts. The result was a cobbler that became a hit at local gatherings and parties.

“I made a peach Crown Royal cobbler for my brother-in-law’s birthday. One of my cousins posted on Facebook, saying I had the best peach cobbler in Kansas City, hands down,” said Jones.

That post set off a wave of demand, and Jones quickly found herself fielding orders left and right, she recalled.

“It’s been amazing to see how far we’ve come,” Jones said, noting a recent deal with one of the nation’s biggest and most influential retailers. “We’re now working with Walmart, and they’re excited about getting our product on their shelves.”

Denisha Jones, Sweet Peaches Cobblers

Sweet Success campaign

While Sweet Peaches Cobblers is already a household name for many, Jones is launching her Sweet Success Kickstarter campaign to fund the next phase of growth. With her eye on a second co-packer, expanding her product line, and increasing inventory, Jones is preparing Sweet Peaches for a massive retail expansion, she said.

Willie and Denisha Jones, Sweet Peaches Cobblers

“Pipeline has really helped me see the potential of this business,” said Jones, referring to the KC-based entrepreneurial development program she joined earlier this year through its Pathfinder track. “They pushed me to take a leap of faith with Kickstarter, especially as we’re working toward our Walmart deal.”

Still, Jones has faced her share of obstacles along the way — particularly in securing traditional funding as a Black woman entrepreneur.

“It’s been such a challenge. You can have excellent credit, but there are still barriers like the lack of assets or the risk associated with the food industry,” she said. 

Such speed bumps have pushed her to rely heavily on grants and pitch competitions, winning several along the way, including being named Woman Entrepreneur of the Year at the annual Kansas City People’s Choice Awards, prize money from the AltCap Your Biz and Hy-Vee OpportUNITY Inclusive Business competitions in 2022, and an award from Kansas City G.I.F.T in 2023 .

“My family and I have put everything into this company. But at some point, I need to be able to hold my own weight, and that’s why this Kickstarter is so crucial,” said Jones.

Sweet Peaches Cobblers’ booth outside Arrowhead Stadium; photo courtesy of Sweet Peaches Cobblers

Building a legacy of generational wealth

Beyond the business, Jones is passionate about building something that lasts — both for her family and her community. 

Jones’ children are deeply involved in Sweet Peaches and her daughter even pitched a unique product, peach cobbler egg rolls, to the Kansas City Chiefs, securing a spot for the dessert at the team’s concession stands at GEHA Field in Arrowhead Stadium.

“I put motherhood first all the time, and I’m glad my kids are involved. But I encourage them to pursue their own dreams,” said Jones. “I want to establish generational wealth, so they always have Sweet Peaches to come back to, but they’re free to carve their own paths.”

In the next few years, she envisions Sweet Peaches Cobblers as a global brand with products expanding to other major retailers across the world.

“I want to stimulate our community economically, providing jobs and opportunities, especially for students interested in entrepreneurship,” she said. 

As Sweet Peaches Cobblers prepares for its next chapter, Jones is hopeful that the community will continue to rally behind her Kickstarter campaign, supporting a homegrown Kansas City business with global aspirations.

“I want my product to stand on its own because it’s great — not just because I’m a Black entrepreneur,” she said. “But I also want to show that you can come from Kansas City and go global.”