The Founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes Shares How Aspiring Bakers Can Tackle Their Dreams
Sprinkles Cupcakes' founder and pasty chef, Candace Nelson, is the perfect example of someone taking something they're passionate about and turning it into a thriving business.
Candace, who was previously an investment banker, identified that she was passionate about baking and then created an empire out of it.
It's now been eleven years since the first Sprinkles Cupcakes opened, there are 21 locations across the United States and Candace's first book, The Sprinkles Baking Book, hits stores today.
(Photo Credit: Sprinkles Cupcakes)
We're majorly inspired by Candace and her success as an entrepreneur, so we reached out, hoping to gain some insight on how fellow bakers and young entrepreneurs can set their dreams into action right now.
Scroll below to see what advice she had to offer and what she could reveal to us about her new book!
When first getting started as a baking entrepreneur, the best thing you can do, according to Candace, is to just get going.
"Have a bake sale, make cupcakes or cakes for your friends, start a miniature business," she suggested to Sweety High. "Just get started and begin thinking about it from a business perspective early on."
From personal experience, Candace said that taking notes during the beginning stages of a business is critical.
"Start jotting down and recognizing your strengths … like what are your go-to recipes?" she said. "What are the things you start to become known for? What is your signature look? I think that everyone can learn the art of baking, but it's really about making it your own and figuring out how you are going to differentiate yourself."
Once you start identifying your strengths and solidifying your identity as a baker, you can pull from every resource you have and begin to create.
"I think it's a wonderful time to be growing up and getting into baking and cooking because there's so much out there," she said. "Just turn on your TV and you can get inspired."
(Photo Credit: Sprinkles Cupcakes)
Nowadays, there's a proliferation of resources for you to tap into and develop your skills as a baker. From Food Network, to YouTube tutorials, there's so many ways for you to learn baking skills.
And now, thanks to Candace's baking book, there's yet another resource!
"I certainly hope that people will find inspiration in my book," she said. "I created the book not to be a coffee table book, I really want it be one of those cookbooks that's on a low shelf in your kitchen, that you can grab all the time and get dogeared and all torn up!"
(Photo Credit: Sprinkles Cupcakes)
So, what's stopping you from starting your own business or following your dreams? Take something you love and make a business out of it! And who knows, maybe you'll be the successful owner of a speciality shop of your own some day.
If you're feeling motivated by Candace's advice, you have to check out our exclusive interview with her HERE where she reveals how Sprinkles Cupcakes became an instant success.