The Havana Banana Breads Company

06/08/2016

The Decision Hour - Heroes Media Group

I know it's been a while since my last posting. Just completed my first ever Podcast interview, aka, "The Decision Hour" as part of the Heroes Media Group. Fabulously patriotic group doing everything they can to help Veterans succeed in business. This was and still is another opportunity to electronically network to help Havana Banana Breads take off. Please get an adult beverage and sit and listen to the 40 minute interview-now posted at the following:

http://www.heroesmediagroup.com/the-decision-hour/

Still have the Go Fund Me campaign active but need more activity:

www.gofundme.com/havanabananabreads

Thanks everyone!

04/14/2016

Just in case you might be wondering where my GoFundMe donations go, take a look at the USED $30,000 oven I'm still paying for, and I haven't baked breads in it since 2013. In fact, I don't even know where it is. Oh, the humanity! With continued support, I will have a more handsome balance sheet and find (still hot on the trail) for a company to co-pack Havana Banana Breads in batter form. Good things take time, because once it starts, Havana Banana Breads for everyone!
As usual, thanks for your support in my Go Fund Me campaign.

04/04/2016

Click here to support Havana Banana Breads by Michael Lawrence

Greetings and happy April to all. Baseball season is upon us. Go Sox!!

OK-enough of the small talk. Had a glitch with my Go Fund Me page due to some inactivity. Translation: C'mon folks-the GFM team put me in sleep status. We all want to be successful in this campaign, so please tell your circle of peeps! I am actively looking for the company that can make the Havana Banana Breads in batter form. Recently met someone who is a muckety muck with a big food company; specifically dealing with military accounts. She had my breads and really enjoyed them. Will definitely keep after

Campaign is now back on line so once again, here it is:

www.gofundme.com/Havanabananabreads

Thanks to all and let's make this happen!

My name is Mike "Top Banana" Lawrence and I am the owner of Havana Banana Breads, a Service-disabled, Veteran-owned small business near Washington, DC. Havana Banana Breads is the only American company with a sole focus on making banana breads. Not just any banana bread, however. I spent a long t...

03/23/2016

Click here to support Havana Banana Breads by Mike Lawrence

Hit the first milestone of $500.00 in six days. No time to let up so please tell your friends/relatives etc. about the campaign. We have a long way to go but I'm confident we can get there. Once we do and I identify a manufacturer and distributor of Havana Banana Breads batter, coupons for free batter (will be part of my deal) to all my Fananas who donated-regardless of amount.

Here is the site: https://www.gofundme.com/havanabananabreads
Thanks so much!!

03/18/2016

GoFundMe: #1 for Crowdfunding & Fundraising Websites

Not sure where to start but here goes. Just went live on the popular crowdfunding site, Go Fund Me. I believe if a person/and or business is asking for help (who said guys don't ask for help), there has to be 100% disclosure. The first part of this is when I had Havana Banana Breads open, I simply ran out of the capital to keep the lights on. It was a gut-wrenching decision to close because I had just been accepted as a vendor for the military commissaries and Harris Teeter. What I could not do was sustain the business until production time to start stocking these stores.

As a soldier, I have to march on and not let the dream die. Until now only a few people know what can be a major step for Havana Banana Breads. Once I reach my Go Fund Me goal, I will be locating a manufacturer to make Havana Banana Breads in batter form, available in 1-2 gallon tubs and available for purchase in grocery stores. Go Fund Me can help lower my debt to a point where I look credible to a potential manufacturer. It won't be easy but this can revolutionize the home dessert industry. I believe so anyway. Additionally, when this does become a reality, coupons for everyone who helped.

I ask you to partner with me in this venture and PLEASE tell your friends/neighbors/ex-spouses. Every donation of any size is so appreciated. Here is the site: https://www.gofundme.com/havanabananabreads

Thanks so much!

Over $2 Billion raised for personal causes! GoFundMe is the #1 do-it-yourself fundraising website to raise money online. Get your crowdfunding website FREE!

01/16/2016

To all my "Fananas," thanks for another great holiday season. Baked and sold a record number of banana breads and even had a few orders last week. Thinking about a one-flavor spring (Aprilish) bake to commemorate the Cherry Blossoms and White Flowers here in DC. Hmmm, what could that be?

Thanks again, stay warm and Go Pats!

12/12/2015

No need to panic fananas! There's still time to ship for the holidays. Just sent breads off to Eugene, OR and will be there on Friday. Even shipped Tom Brady's favorite banana bread. Hopefully, this didn't cause my Patriots to lose two in a row.
It's been a good holiday season so far and let's feed more people!

12/05/2015

OK Folks-now that all my holiday baking is done as of 10:30 am today, it's first come, first served and anyone who knows me know I HATE to give people bad news, so please order soon!

12/05/2015

These are the chocolate chunk banana breads that made me almost famous!

11/27/2015

Happy Holidays to all. Tried to stuff my turkey with Pecan Praline Banana Bread yesterday and got nixed by Mrs. Banana. Oh well, at least I made the effort.
Doing lots of shipping so far and expect it to get crazier-just like every previous year. Please don't be left out and remember, you can freeze/thaw/refreeze for up to a year.

11/24/2015

Guilty of being a first time, from my phone FB picture uploader. Meant to say "Smores" and the breads on the right are the dark chocolate chunk with coconut banana bread. Either way, I wish everyone had "smellevision" when these came out of the oven.

Time to take a break from printing UPS labels and settle down to watch my New England Patriots win. Gobble Gobble

11/23/2015

For those who have never seen the beginnings of a Stores banana bread, here it is.

11/22/2015

Before I start celebrating another New England Patriots victory tomorrow night, I want to say all five flavors of Havana Banana Breads are now baked, bagged and waiting for a home. My orders today went from Los Angeles to Horseshoe Bay, TX to Kissimmee, FL-Gotta love UPS!

Hope to hear from you and Gobble Gobble!

11/19/2015

It's about that time! The shopping cart is now open, so have at it. I will start to ship on Monday November 23d. Still have to finish baking this weekend but at least you can order now. Yeah, I know, the Banana Guy is sideways but I caught him in mid-flip when he found out my shopping cart is open.

11/13/2015

OK Fananas, it's "almost" time to start ordering. This weekend TB starts baking. Yay! I anticipate opening the shopping cart Thanksgiving week, so forget that canned/frozen/yucky pumpkin pie-only fooling sort of, I like it too. The same recommendation as last year; the early bird gets the banana breads! I have a limited baking schedule which means a limited amount to breads, so please order early and often. It' s first order in; first order out. Please look for another FB posting around 11/21 for the shopping cart re-opening. Thanks!
PS. Just a reminder below!

09/29/2015

Hope everyone had a good summer. As a New Englander, I'm happy to see the leaves changing and cooler weather (except today) moving in. OK, enough and now to the baking. I'm starting to make my baking plans for the 2015 holiday season. For those who live under a rock, I have a limited baking schedule and will open up my shopping cart by Turkey Day, so please order as much as you can. Remember, you can freeze Havana Banana Breads for up to a year. Not kidding.

07/07/2015

Starting to resurrect my legal status with the US Patent and Trademark Office. It's like looking at an old picture. I originally submitted the logo in 2001. Wow! Time goes by when you're baking banana breads. A few other legalities to confirm and the next big thing will begin to take shape. It's going to take time but the possibility for all past, present and future fananas will be to enjoy HBB anytime without shipping costs. Can't say much more and only a few people know. Love the mystery, don't you?

06/21/2015

Happy Father's Day to all the Fanana-Dad's out there. I just ran into a friend (fellow baker too) at a local store (no, not a bar-too early). We spoke and I liked her idea of posting a short "I did not fall off the face of the earth again" message. Still here and plotting my next course for Havana Banana Breads. Like I tell callers on an almost daily basis: it's just in hibernation. My next idea for HBB was my original idea from back in 1998-before almost all of you were born! Can't reveal because some big food biz with Trump-like $ can steal the idea and I'm stuck. I promise you this-it is mind-blowing; one of those "why didn't I think of that?" Well, I did and all I need is.......

Go Sox!

12/19/2014

Like Daffy Duckv said (I think anyway) says, "That's all folks." Breads are now officially sold out. Thanks to all my fanana's for the great support. Have a great holiday season and a joyous 2015.

12/06/2014

Just in case you forgot, this is the Smores Banana Bread. Oh yeah, that's right. Made a batch today along with the other yummies over the last week and my holiday baking is done for 2104. Have filled many orders so far and not to sound like a car salesman, but when I run out, no more.

11/22/2014

Top Banana is back!! Could not hold off any longer. Will start to bake for the 2104 holiday season on Friday, Nov 28th. Am having a little trouble with my website but hope to have it functional again by the end of this week. Remember and just like the voters in Florida, vote early and vote often; order early and often. Shipping on bread # 2-(insert infinity sign here if I knew what it was) is negligible so stock up and freeze because after Jan 1, 2015, it may be a long time before I'm able to bake again. I'm trying really hard not to sound like a car salesman here!
Happy Holidays and thanks for the being the best fananas ever!

PS. For the local DC folks, I will not be at any markets over the holiday

07/19/2014

Remember this phrase: Nothing is Forever. It is with a bit of sadness that I decided to "rest" HBB for the time being. I will not be at Eastern Market, nor will I be filling internet orders until further notice. With my "real" job, it is not possible to keep going. For those who are small business owners, they can understand. I do plan on getting back around Thanksgiving and fill internet orders until Xmas.
In the meantime, THANKS to all for your amazing support.

06/29/2014

Thanks for another fun day at Eastern Market. Hope everyone has a great July 4th. If my friend Neil (with the two really cute kids) is reading this, drop me a line please.

Thanks

Top Banana

06/28/2014

Having a Pre-July 4th sales tomorrow at DCs best Sunday hangout, The Schoolyard at Eastern Market from 9Am to 5PM. The special is: Buy two Havana Banana Breads get NONE free! However comma, if you get three or more, Top Banana will take $1.00 off EACH bread. And because HBB is committed to another place on July 4th weekend, this will be a good time to stock up and put the breads in your freezer. Hope to see everyone tomorrow!

That's my buddy Al. We were young second lieutenants together way back in the 80s. He was a football player at the US Military Academy. Be nice to AL. He's real big and strong. Al loves Havana Banana Breads too.

06/21/2014

Yes, I am a Red Sox fanatic and can't even escape the bright lights of Fenway Park, but for those who know me, I prefer the quaint confines of DCs Eastern Market on Sundays. Stop by this Sunday and we can chat wile you enjoy a tasty sample of my banana breads.
Go Sox!

06/14/2014

Now that I have your attention, The Banana's (minus the pretty one) will be back tomorrow June 15th at DCs best market. It's been awhile so please come to the schoolyard at Eastern Market from 9A to 5 P. Thanks to all my DC fananas for your patience!! You're the best bunch ever.

06/10/2014

Top Banana is back! For those in the Southern Maryland area, I just delivered a small load of banana breads to Will at Chesapeake's Bounty. I would make my way over there before the weekend.

06/07/2014

Yea!! Will be returning to Eastern Market next Sunday, June 15th. Can't wait to see my "fananas" again.

06/07/2014

To all my friends in the LGBT community, have an awesome Pride Parade tonight in DC. Wish I could be there but will party on in another location.

06/01/2014

Thought I would be closer to returning to Eastern Market as well as getting back in the swing of things for Havana Banana Breads. The wheels of the government (my "real" job) move slow, so still not baking but promise to let all my fananas know as soon as things turn around. A bit frustrating for all.
Hang in there a bit longer and thanks to all for waiting.

05/18/2014

Getting closer to a return date at Eastern Market. I am hoping another two weeks and I will be back TO STAY!!! Just have to work out a couple of details at my "real" job and then all the bananas will line up for a happy return. Blame the government, not me (sort of fooling). Anyway, thanks for your patience and I promise, it will be worth the wait. We are now in berry season and as my fanana's know, there' nothing like fresh strawberry banana bread.
You're the best!!!

Top Banana

04/26/2014

WILL NOT BE AT EASTERN MARKET FOR NEXT TWO WEEKS (4/27 and 5/4). THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING AND LOOK FOR "PRESENT FOR DUTY" POSTING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

04/20/2014

Almost forgot to say: HOP on over this morning to DCs Eastern Market Schoolyard to enjoy the last day for the almost world famous Cherry Blossom Banana Bread. I do have a very limited supply left after last weeks market.
Hope to see you there!

04/12/2014

In honor of the DC Cherry Blossoms, I proudly give you the "Cherry Blossom" Banana Bread. It has Sweet Michigan Cherries and White Chocolate. Will feature tomorrow morning at DCs Eastern Market Schoolyard from 9A-5P. They will go fast and please come early!

04/06/2014

Finally, a nice Sunday (4/6) to hang out at the Eastern Market schoolyard. Sunday will be the last day for the Oatmeal and Butterscotch Chip Banana Bread. Not to sound like a car salesman, but I don't have many left, so come as early as you can. I'll be there from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Hope to see you tomorrow. Go Sox!