After Hours: HR’s Jackie Claymon finds healing through baking sweet treats

When Jackie Claymon's engagement ended in 2013, she needed something to fill the void and excess time on her hands. The human resources business partner decided to channel her excess energy, love and creativity into something drastically different than her day job.

"I started baking," Claymon says. "Even when I couldn't bake well, I would just bake something. I tried to bake chocolate chip cookies, and I kept failing."

Through trial and error, Claymon perfected her cookie recipe - and "Ms. Jackie" was born. Claymon launched a side business, Sweets by Ms. Jackie, creating cookies and an array of other specialty desserts.

It was her family and friends who encouraged the venture while Claymon brought them sweet treats every week.

"While their waistlines were increasing, I was giving them love," Claymon says. "I never wanted a business, but I would hear them say, 'You should start a business.' I didn't want that pressure, but one day I suddenly woke up out of the blue and decided I'm going to try the business thing."

Florie Marshall, Claymon's friend and former coworker, hired Claymon to do the desserts at her wedding.

"I first tasted her carrot cupcake and immediately fell in love," Marshall says. "When I was trying to figure out how to ensure I had the best desserts at my wedding, I didn't have a second thought when I asked Jackie to do me the honor. My guests could not stop talking about how delicious the sweets were!"

Lisa Ploszaj, senior director of employment and employee relations, works with Claymon at Marquette. Ploszaj's children, Kate and Avery, can't get enough of Ms. Jackie's sweets.

"We heard about my mom's new coworker and how she made delicious treats," Kate says. "Jackie sent some home with my mom - vanilla funfetti and peanut butter chocolate flavors. They were absolutely delicious!"

"My favorite are her mint brownies for sure," Avery says. "They have a crispy top and ooey gooey bottom. They are the perfect balance between sweet and not too heavy."

From gourmet cookies, brownies, cupcakes, banana pudding cheesecake, carrot cake and much more - Claymon satisfies people's sweet tooths while filling her own heart.

Besides selling her goods at the Waukesha Farmer's Market, she also caters for corporate events and participates in events that benefit the community. She's been highlighted by the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce as Member of the Month in 2024 and highlighted in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for her successful business.

Learn more about Claymon's business or place an order at sweetsbymsjackie.com.

About After Hours

After Hours is a Marquette Today series that highlights the lives of Marquette faculty and staff beyond campus. From creative pursuits and lifelong hobbies to side hustles, the series celebrates the passions that inspire our colleagues outside the workday. Interested in being featured, or know someone who should be? Nominate yourself or a colleague here.