Life & Work with Nina Dvorak Lawless and Devon Clime of Cleveland

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Dvorak Lawless and Devon Clime.

Hi Nina and Devon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
We were coworking on our individual healthcare businesses—Devon as a speech therapist and Nina as an occupational therapist—when, during one meeting, Devon shared an idea: a mug cake mix that was delicious, fast, and made with better ingredients. Something you could feel good about eating. That spark led us to bring Mugsy Bakes to life.

From that moment on, we hit the ground running. What started as a conversation over coffee at their favorite bakery- Black Bird in Lakewood, OH- quickly turned into a lot of experimenting in our homes and commercial kitchen, all while balancing formulation work, partnerships, R&D, with family life. We soon realized we weren’t just creating a product—we were building a brand that filled a real gap in the market: single-serve desserts that taste incredible, are made with trusted ingredients, and aren’t branded in a way that screams “health food,” but just happen to be gluten-free, dairy-free, and free from artificial ingredients. They’re indulgent and convenient—the way dessert should be. A celebration of joy, without having to question the ingredient list, sweetened with organic sugars.

We bootstrapped the business while continuing to work as needed to support our families and business goals, and immersing ourselves in any and every educational opportunity as the field of CPG is a whole new world from where we came from. With hard work, determination, and the help of a supportive community (plus a lot of taste-testing), Mugsy made its way onto shelves and into homes across the country.

Today, we’re proud to be creating a new category in the baking aisle—one that prioritizes flavor, convenience, and integrity in equal measure. What began as a small idea is now a growing movement to make baking more joyful, more inclusive, and to give people back time to enjoy life’s sweet moments—without compromise.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A smooth road would mean comfort—and comfort doesn’t spark growth. It certainly hasn’t been a smooth road, and we don’t expect it to be. That’s the nature of entrepreneurship—something we’ve learned to embrace (or at least try to, because stepping outside your comfort zone is rarely easy).

As a bootstrapped business led by two moms with young and growing families, building Mugsy Bakes sustainably and responsibly has come with its share of bumps. We’ve had to navigate limited resources, make tough calls, and constantly balance our roles as founders and mothers. It also requires real, honest conversations between us—some of which are uncomfortable, but absolutely necessary to move the brand forward.

Growth isn’t easy, but it’s meaningful. And we believe deeply in where we’re going.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Before Mugsy, we both worked in healthcare—Devon as a speech therapist and Nina as an occupational therapist. That experience shaped the way we approach everything: with empathy, intention, and a deep understanding of how people’s everyday environments, routines, and choices affect their quality of life. In healthcare, you’re constantly thinking about how to meet someone where they are. We carry that mindset into our work with Mugsy—creating products that are accessible, thoughtful, and genuinely make life a little easier and a little sweeter.

We’re most proud of building something from the ground up—something that reflects our values as moms, as professionals, and as people who believe that indulgence and wellness aren’t mutually exclusive. What sets us apart is not just our product, but our perspective: we’ve worked closely with people navigating real-life challenges, so we understand that convenience and comfort matter. We believe that dessert can be joyful and nourishing, a small act of care for yourself or someone else.

And that’s what we do—make it easier to celebrate the sweet moments in life, without compromise.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We love collaborating with others and finding creative ways to bring Mugsy into the community! Whether it’s demoing at local shops and pop-ups or partnering with small businesses (like our recent collab with Noble Fawn Jewelry on birthday cake–inspired earrings to celebrate our Birthday Cake mug mix launch), we’re always excited to connect and create together.

We’re big believers in the power of people—so if you want to collaborate, partner, or just say hi, reach out! You can email us, DM us on Instagram, or give us a call. We love meeting new people and finding ways to support one another.

To support us, you can:
-Shop our mixes at www.mugsybakes.com—you can even set up a subscription so you’re never without Mugsy in your pantry!
-Keep us in mind for gifting, including corporate gifts (hello, holidays and employee birthdays!)
-Have an opportunity you think we’d be a great fit for? Let us know!
-And help us stay on retail shelves by picking up Mugsies during your weekly grocery run! Getting on retail shelves is one thing, but staying on them is another!

We’re so grateful for the support we have received and will receive as we continue to grow. We can’t wait to keep building sweet things together—because our community is the biggest part of everything we do. Mugsy- a product for the people! : )

Pricing:

• Pack of 4: 16.99
• Pack of 6: $25.49
• Pack of 8: $32.25
• Free shipping from our website with the purchase of any 2 bundles.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mugsybakes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mugsybakes/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mugsybakes
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mugsy-bakes/
• Other: https://mugsybakes.faire.com