At Rathbun Insurance, we are sooo proud to have done it again! Another year, another incredible real-life business experience for the talented students at Wilson Talent Center. This year, we partnered with our amazing client and friend, Sweet Encounter Bakery & Café, to deliver a hands-on insurance and risk management experience like no other. And yes, it was just as sweet as it sounds!
In just a few hours, 40 students from the Wilson Talent Center’s Business and Risk Management class joined forces with their peers in the Culinary Arts program to participate in this dynamic collaboration. These juniors and seniors came ready to learn, discuss, and engage with real-world concepts. Walking through the bakery’s space, students asked insightful questions about the risks and insurance needs of a business like Sweet Encounter, diving deep into practical solutions that keep operations running smoothly. The highlight of the day? The students rolled up their sleeves for a hands-on baking experience! Split into two groups, they learned how to create products using the tools and resources available in the bakery. At the same time, they drew clear parallels between running a business, managing risks, and maintaining the passion it takes to succeed. This partnership brought together two vital educational tracks—business and culinary arts—and showed how these seemingly separate worlds intersect through risk management and entrepreneurship. Watching students connect the dots between insurance concepts and the practicalities of running a business was nothing short of inspiring.
At Rathbun Insurance, community partnerships like this embody our core value of “Give it away to keep it.” We believe in sharing knowledge and resources to build stronger, more connected
communities. This event wasn’t just about education; it was about showing students how businesses and individuals come together to support each other’s growth. Sweet Encounter Bakery, led by the incredible Nikki Thompson-Smith, is much more than a café. It’s a community hub, a beacon of inclusivity, and a leader in the culinary education space. Nikki’s mission is to create a safe and welcoming environment where everyone can enjoy delicious, allergy-friendly baked goods. She’s not just serving up treats—she’s serving up opportunities, inspiration, and a sense of belonging. Sweet Encounter also bridges gaps in education by offering culinary workshops and mentorship opportunities, which made this partnership with Wilson Talent Center even more meaningful. Nikki’s dedication to Lansing and the surrounding communities is unmatched, and we’re so grateful to call her a client, a collaborator, and a friend.
This experience is a reminder of why we do what we do. It’s about more than insurance—it’s about supporting dreams, educating future leaders, and strengthening the fabric of our community. Thank you to Wilson Talent Center, Sweet Encounter Bakery, and most importantly, the students who brought energy, curiosity, and bright ideas to the table. Here’s to continuing to build community partnerships and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders. Let’s keep making sweet things happen! 🍪
