Marquita Richardson has spent her career as a leader at one of the largest audit firms in the country, with no plans of becoming an entrepreneur. It wasn’t until a coworker encouraged her to apply for BasBlue’s Zero-to-One Fellowship that everything changed.
That single application became the turning point. Through the 2024 Zero-to-One Cohort, BasBlue played a crucial role in guiding Marquita’s entrepreneurial journey, helping her transform an idea into a thriving business.
In April 2024, she launched Sweet Paws Creamery, dedicated to creating and sharing fruit- and veggie-based pup cups for our furry family members. The response was immediate and overwhelming: 20+ events hosted, two news features, and a viral moment that put Sweet Paws Creamery on the map.
“I’ve told so many people about the program — the mentors and connections are incredible,” Marquita says.
Two years later, Sweet Paws Creamery has blossomed into a real, growing business. Marquita has participated in countless pop-ups, been featured on the news, and is now stocked in retail locations across the region, including:
- Ice Cream Detroit
- Syndicate Ferndale
- K & A Hop Dogs
- Lakeshore Pet Boutique
- City Market
- ALL Premier Pet Supplies
- And more!
At BasBlue, our relationship with founders doesn’t end when the cohort does. Marquita’s story is a powerful example of what happens when we stay connected — continuing to support, champion, and celebrate our entrepreneurs long after their program ends.
