For nearly a decade, For the Love of Cheesecake has grown one event at a time. Founded by Cortney Hamilton, aka “Mz. Cheesecake,” the Detroit business began as a passion project that slowly turned into a full-fledged operation that continues to expand.
“I started making cheesecakes out of pure joy. I would bake for family, friends, and anyone who just loved good dessert,” Hamilton said.
Over time, that passion grew into purpose. Every festival, every late night in the kitchen, every lesson learned pushed her closer to building something lasting.
From the beginning, events were central to the company’s growth. Large gatherings such as Royal Oak’s Arts, Beats & Eats and Winter Blast, as well as Detroit’s NFL Draft and the Cadillac Square Holiday Market, introduced the brand to new customers and helped drive consistent revenue. Hamilton also is in Eastern Market every Saturday, maintaining a regular presence that continues to build her customer base. Before opening her storefront, she said roughly 80 percent of her income came from events, supplemented by catering and online orders. That model allowed the business to grow without the immediate pressure of maintaining a permanent location.
As the business expanded, Hamilton connected with a range of entrepreneurial programs supported by or aligned with NEI. Through the Michigan Black Business Alliance’s program, funded by the NEI, she accessed business education and resources, and she was later selected as a finalist in the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown Detroit. In 2025, she also received an Elevate grant for Best Booth Setup through a people’s choice award, recognizing the strength of her event presence and brand presentation.
A major milestone came through a Detroit-based Black business owners initiative that opened the door to Ford Field. After being invited to participate, Hamilton followed the process closely, completed a tasting, and earned the opportunity to operate a concession stand.
“I followed up all the way through the process,” she said. “They did a tasting, they liked the cheesecake, and they gave me a concession stand. I’ve been in there for three years now.”
In early 2025, Hamilton took her biggest step yet, purchasing a building at 18685 Livernois and opening her first brick-and-mortar location. Originally intended to function as a private commercial kitchen, the space evolved into a public-facing café. The business is currently operating in a soft-opening phase, with a full café launch planned for this summer.
Now fully committed to the storefront, Hamilton says the experience has reinforced how far the business has come.
“I never planned on having a store like this,” she said. “But now people are coming, the store is doing well, and I’m realizing I can be here. It feels good to see it working.”
Learn more at fortheloveofcheesecake.com.