Tim Hayes didn't always plan to be a baker — he went to school to be a trauma surgeon. But after a divine redirection, he built one of Jackson's most beloved bakery brands, only to walk away from the name everyone knew him by. After a season of growth that felt more like suffocation, Tim closed the doors on "How Sweet It Is by Tim" and reopened weeks later as Layered Bakeshop — with a new name, new look, and a hard-won perspective on what it really means to run a business well.

As the holiday season picks up, we want to shine a light on the entrepreneurs who have put in the work. We are featuring 20 businesses that completed the CO.STARTERS program through theCO. As you shop for family and friends, consider supporting the starters who are building something real in our community.