Nashville bakery The Cupcake Collection is the grand prizewinner of the First Tennessee Bank’s statewide ‘Best Small Business’ contest. Owner Mignon Francois was presented with a check for $10,000.

The Cupcake Collection, located in Nashville’s historic Germantown neighborhood, has previously been named ‘Best Cupcake’ by The Tennessean and one of ‘50 Things to Eat in Nashville Before You Die” by Thrillist. It was also recently recognized as Black Enterprise magazine’s Family Business of the Year. Just announced as a member of the 2016-17 Leadership Nashville class, owner Mignon Francois is one of Nashville’s up-and-coming business leaders. Her past honors include ‘Emerging Business Leader of the Year’ and ‘Woman of Legend and Merit’ by Tennessee State University.

“First Tennessee is delighted to recognize The Cupcake Collection as one of Tennessee’s best small businesses, and I’m personally thrilled that Nashville is home to our $10,000 grand prize winner!” said Carol Yochem, president of the Middle Tennessee region at First Tennessee. “Mignon Francois has dedicated her career to excellence and treated her customers like family, helping to make our city just a little bit sweeter. We’re looking forward to continuing to watch her business grow.”

“I’m honored to be selected as Tennessee’s best small business by First Tennessee,” said Francois. “I started this bakery in 2008 on a wing and a prayer with no prior experience in or knowledge of the food industry. It’s been a dream come true to serve my friends and neighbors in Nashville, and I have a lot to smile about.”

‘Tennessee’s Best Small Business Contest,’ the first annual small business contest from First Tennessee Bank, was created to recognize small businesses in Tennessee with the best customer service. More than 26,000 votes were cast in 2016 for the five finalists throughout the state.

In addition to The Cupcake Collection, other finalists in the top three include BAAK Boutique in Sevierville and The Village Mercantile in Knoxville.