Seannee Harris comes from a traditional family that places a high value on education, but when she was laid off from her auditing job at Merrill Lynch in 2008, she capitalized on a third generation family cheesecake recipe and took classes through the New Jersey Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to launch Dees Cakes in Freehold.

Although she's only been in business for a year, Harris's cheesecake was a judge favorite at the Dessert Wars competition at Branches Catering in West Long Branch May 24.

"We didn't take the title, but we felt like such winners that day. It was an overwhelming positive response," said Harris.

Entering Dessert Wars was part of a business plan that includes pursuing wholesale business first. 

"The whole point of wholesale business first is for me to build capital behind the scenes until I can open my own retail store," said Harris.

She chose this approach on the advice of a mentor who owns a bakery. The mentor thought it would be smart, in a slow economy, to rent space in a commercial kitchen so that Harris wouldn't have to spend capital or borrow money for equipment before she has an established client base.

"In my previous life I was an auditor. ...I got a good background of pushing numbers," said Harris, who was laid off with 35,000 other Merrill Lynch employees, but then received an Entrepreneur Certificate through the SBDC at Brookdale Community College. 

"They have different programs to help you write your business plan. They have hours where you can complete marketing and accounting courses. ... They offer free support. If you take their course, you can actually get advice from their experts," said Harris.

"Actual banks show up ... they are ready to read your business plan and take in your information and review it, considering that you've gone through the program," she said.

SBDC courses generally run three hours and cost between $60 and $125, said Harris. 

"My biggest challenge is knowing how to use my finances and resources appropriately," she said. "I have to be smart about where to put my money so that the rate of return is there. In that regard, it's moved a lot slower than I would like it to, because of what I can put out and then get back," she said.

Harris is the youngest of seven children and recalls her mother making and selling cheesecakes to her coworkers during the winter holidays. 

"This is what our business is all about: that homemade goodness taste that comes right out of the oven that people love," said Harris.

"When I got laid off, I used to say, 'Don't cry for me Argentina, I'm working on plan B.' This is my plan B. ... I get to be home with my kids, I get to work my own hours, and I get to share with people the things that we love. When I share the things that we love and get that response back, it's enough confirmation to know that I'm doing the right thing," she said.

Harris also wanted to set an example for her three children. 

"I already had in my mind that I wanted my kids to be leaders. In order for me to teach them how to be a leader, I need to show them how to be a leader. ...Working for a corporation, there are a lot of plusses, but based on my experiences, you might not be able to always rely on that," said Harris.

"This is a new beginning for me," she said.

Harris's desserts can be purchased online at DeesCakes.net or by phone at 732.303.1332. Free delivery is available in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

The SBDC offers training programs and counseling to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. at Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft. For more information, call (732) 842-8685.