LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Census data shows more than 93,000 small businesses in the Louisville Metro are run, owned and operated by just one person.
From real estate agents to contractors or even bakers - getting hurt and not being able to keep the business running is a nightmare scenario.
When the unthinkable did happen for Ashley Bender, her community helped her see hope again.
With a glob of frosting and a spatula, the baker behind Sugar High Louisville can make dreams come true.
"I feel like it's just pure love,” Bender, the Sugar High Louisville creator, said. "I don't know it just makes people happy and I love making people happy.”
But on June 1, she had a freak accident while trying to walk into her home. She tripped and fell on a jagged, broken brick.
She said she closed her eye and when a friend she was with saw blood, they thought she might need stitches. When they made it to the emergency room they found out she would need emergency surgery to try and save her eye.
Days later, all she could see were shadows and movement.
She couldn't move her eyes without pain. A friend went on to Sugar High Louisville’s Instagram page to tell her customers and the community what happened.
As a result, other Louisville businesses started raising money on her behalf as doctors told her full recovery would take a miracle.
"My mom kept telling me ‘speak it into the universe' and I didn't even want to have hope at that point,” Bender said. “I was like I might need a prosthetic; I need to get used to working with one eye. I am not going to get attached to a potential miracle."
After closing shop for two months, Sugar High Louisville and its owner returned with a wedding cake.
Bend said the first cake was deceptively easy, and that each day brings its own challenges.
But she's improving in health and business as she learns to bake and decorate with a new perspective as her vision slowly improves.
Sunday, Aug. 14, Sugar High Louisville will celebrate its second birthday and Bender will celebrate her successful return to the business. The event will take place at NoraeBar from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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