PROJECT FEATURE: JENNA RAE CAKES

SWEET SAVINGS FOR A SMALL BUSINESS 

After being selected as one of the winners of our 2024 Small Business Week contest, Jenna Rae Cakes is savouring some sweet savings! 

THE PROJECT

Jenna Rae Cakes is a boutique bakery in Winnipeg that’s been making life a little sweeter since opening its doors in 2014. Founded by twin sisters Jenna and Ashley, the bakery quickly became a local favourite, with customers lining up outside their very first location in River Heights to get a taste of their beautiful treats and unique flavours. From macarons, cookies and cupcakes to wedding cakes, Jenna Rae Cakes has become a Winnipeg staple and a go-to for celebrations.  

Their flagship location on Academy Road was selected as one of the winners of our 2024 Small Business Week contest.   

“We heard about the Small Business Program through an email from a local business association. Our storefront on Academy Road is our first location and was really in need of a lighting upgrade. We were also looking for ways to reduce our operating costs, so the timing of the contest couldn’t have been better!”  
—Jeffery Illchuk, Manager of Supplies and Maintenance

THE OFFER

Our Small Business Program is a full-service solution that helps small businesses become more energy efficient and save money. We offer two levels of upgrades: 

• The Basic Upgrade includes free supply and installation of bathroom and kitchen faucet aerators, showerheads, pre-rinse spray valves, and tier 2 advanced power strips, as well as a free lighting and attic insulation assessment. 
• The Premium Upgrade includes all Basic Upgrades and covers 70% of the material and labour costs for LED linear lamps, specialty LED bulbs, LED exit signs, smart thermostats, lighting controls, and pitched roof attic insulation. 

Our 2024 Small Business Week contest provided seven lucky winners, including Jenna Rae Cakes, with access to these upgrades at no cost.  

THE SAVINGS

As part of the contest, Jenna Rae Cake’s was awarded a $500 energy bill credit, and we also covered 100% of the material and labour costs of their Premium Upgrade.   

Their Premium Upgrades included upgrading 44 fluorescent lamps and four incandescent globe bulbs to energy-efficient LEDs, installing an occupancy sensor, and upgrading their faucet aerators and pre-rinse spray values to more energy-efficient models. 

With these upgrades, they can expect to save over 8,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and 600 cubic metres (m³) of natural gas every year. This will save them over $550 annually on their energy bills.

Not only have the lighting upgrades brightened their space for staff and customers, but the upgrades will also continue to support their small business behind the scenes with ongoing energy bill savings.    

ARE YOU A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER?

You can participate in our Small Business Program. It’s easy — you apply on our website, and we take care of the rest!