2001: Humble Beginnings
Gunilla embarked on a journey that would soon become a local favorite. She attended the REAL Entrepreneur program at Coastal Carolina Community College (CCCC) and registered American Dream Cakes (ADC) as a sole proprietorship. Then Gunilla began baking dreams into reality from home.
2002: Building Connections
ADC joined the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce, marking the beginning of their integration into the local business community.
2004: A Family Affair
Gunilla’s husband, Randy, joined the business after serving 22 years in the Army as a food inspector. This year also saw Gunilla become a member of Jacksonville Rotary South.
2005: First Taste of Success
American Dream Cakes won the Best Dessert award at the Jacksonville-Onslow Business Expo, a testament to the delicious treats Gunilla was creating.
2006: Growing Stronger
ADC moved into their Gum Branch Road location and was voted Small Business of the Quarter by the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council.
2007: Sweet Victory
ADC won the Best Dessert award for a second time at the Jacksonville-Onslow Business Expo.
2009: Celebrating Milestones
Gunilla, a native of Sweden, received her American citizenship and competed in a National Cake Competition, earning a silver medal.
2010: Expanding Horizons
ADC opened its first satellite store in Emerald Isle and initiated an internship program for wounded warriors, marking the beginning of their transition program for veterans. They also received the Reader’s Choice award for “Simply Best Bakery.”
2011: A Decade of Deliciousness
ADC celebrated its 10th anniversary with a new logo and colors, courtesy of 17 Blue Digital, and transitioned from a sole proprietorship to a C-corporation.
2012: Recognizing Excellence
Gunilla was honored as the Small Business Person of the Year by the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce.
2013: International Inspiration
ADC moved its satellite store from Emerald Isle to Cedar
Point. Gunilla and two team members participated in a
Bakery Exchange Tour in Stockholm, Sweden, from
local bakeries and exploring cultural differences in
products and business practices.
2014: A Taste of Tradition
Saras Pepparkakor, a division of ADC, was created.
This seasonal venture (Thanksgiving – Christmas) sells
Swedish gingerbread cookies made from Gunilla’s
great-grandmother Sara’s recipe, available at both
bakery locations, online, and at various festivals
across the state.
2015: Sweet Treats on the Go
ADC expanded by purchasing a custom-built concessions trailer, the #SweetTreatsTrailer, which visits local festivals, events, and sports games. It is also available for weddings, corporate events, and other special occasions. ADC received another Reader’s Choice award for “Simply Best Bakery.”
2015-2019: Community Engagement
ADC sponsored the Gingerbread House-making workshop at the Commons Recreation Center, a beloved community event that continued until COVID-19 caused its suspension.
2016: Celebrating 15 Years
ADC celebrated 15 years of making life delicious.
2017: Spreading Smiles
ADC made its first cake for an “Icing Smiles” recipient, creating special cakes for sick or terminally ill children in the area. Since then, ADC has made several cakes for sick or terminal children in our area for this organization. https://www.icingsmiles.org/
2018: Learning and Sharing
Team ADC took another trip to Sweden to collaborate with Swedish bakers and learn more about different techniques, ingredients, and flavor favorites.
2019: Industry Insights
The highlight of the year was a trip to Las Vegas for the International Bakery Industry Expo (IBIE), where ADC team members saw the newest equipment, talked to suppliers, participated in classes, and watched demonstrations by top industry professionals.
2020: Weathering the Storm
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, ADC managed to stay open with reduced hours and furloughed employees for a short period. Their resilience and dedication kept them going through the pandemic.
2021: A New Chapter
While still recovering financially from COVID-19, ADC spotted a “For Rent” sign on Western Blvd for a unit Gunilla had admired for over a decade. They acted quickly and signed the contract, moving from the Gum Branch Rd location to 1130 Western Blvd in just four weeks. Despite the tight timeline and financial strain, they managed to complete all necessary renovations and inspections, reopening at the new location the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend. God is Good!
2021-2024: Adjusting and Growing
Settling into the new, larger facility on Western Blvd allowed ADC to expand production and increase their holiday offerings, particularly for Saras Pepparkakor. The extra space enabled them to attend more Christmas markets and increase online sales of their Swedish gingerbread cookies.
Looking Ahead
It’s been 23 years since Gunilla started this journey, and with the community’s support, ADC looks forward to many more years of making life delicious in E