Mayor recognizes The Yellow Leaf Cupcake Co. for its creativity, growth and community commitment

In Good Company Recognition Program

Mayor Mike McGinn recognized Belltown-based The Yellow Leaf Cupcake Company for their growth, creativity, and commitment to their local community on the 4th anniversary of the founding of their business.

“Small business owners are the backbone of our local economy, creating jobs and supporting our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Mike McGinn. “It’s inspiring to see the commitment that Yellow Leaf Cupcake owners Tony and Michael have to their Belltown neighborhood and local community, and the passion they bring to work every day.”

A part of the Seattle Jobs Plan, the In Good Company program is an ongoing showcase of businesses that spotlights one locally-owned business every month for being unconventional, transformative, and exemplary. There are a lot of incredible businesses in Seattle, and if your business is recognized here, you know that you’re in good company.

The Yellow Leaf Cupcake Company opened in May 2009 with just two employees, who remain the owners of the company today. Over the past four years, they have seen double digit increases each year, finding tremendous success during the strain of the economic downturn.

They specifically located their business in the Belltown neighborhood for the opportunity and potential they saw in the neighborhood, and for the impact they believed they could have on the community.

“Tony and I live and work in Belltown. We feel that giving back to our immediate community is the best way to help our community grow,” said Michael Hein, co-owner and co-founder of The Yellow Leaf Cupcake Co. “We like to think that we have been part of making our community better, and we want to see this neighborhood become the best neighborhood in Seattle.”

Their business mentality is to promote one’s own business and product, while also promoting the businesses around them, as a powerful way to influence the success of both. “We are 100% committed to keeping our ingredients local, fresh, and of the highest quality, knowing that it shows in the customer satisfaction and in everything we do,” said Tony Portugal, co-owner and co-founder of The Yellow Leaf Cupcake Co. ”We feel that we are leaders in what we do, and have introduced our guests to a sophisticated cupcake experience.”

The Yellow Leaf Cupcake Company has created well over 200 different flavors of cupcakes, including unique flavors such as pancakes n’ bacon, tomato soup, and croquembouche. They are one of the few cupcake shops in Seattle that does not mass produce its product, making everything 100% from scratch, in small batches daily.

As a ‘destination business,’ the company has attracted customers to Belltown, from local shoppers to visiting international tourists. In addition to bringing shoppers to the neighborhood, they also have a firm commitment to give back to others in their local community.“Yellow Leaf Cupcake Co. is a great example of the new entrepreneur who seeks out the right marketplace, then moves there to start their business,” said Maud Daudon, president & CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. “Michael and Tony wisely chose Seattle’s urban core as the place where they and their model for locally sourced, small batch cupcakes would thrive. We hope their story will be an inspiration to others who are turning their passion into a business.”

For nomination criteria and more information, please visit the In Good Company website page.

In Good Company is brought to you by: Mayor Mike McGinn as part of the Seattle Jobs Plan; Seattle Office of Economic Development; Seattle Channel; Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce; Flying Spot; and 206 inc.

Prize partners include: Alaska Airlines Board Room Airport Lounges; Banya 5; DRY Soda; Fran’s Chocolates; Seattle Mariners; Theo Chocolate; The Crumpet Shop; and Uber.