Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe has gone from a small hobby, to money-making hobby, to part-time business, to full-time business, and soon-to-be full-fledged bakery in a matter of a couple of years. Amy has learned the ins and outs of many facets of business and entrepreneurship. She’s full of wisdom for anyone setting out to try to make a living out of something they love. AND having a family. Without going crazy insane. Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe features real ingredients, fantastic flavors, utterly perfect technique, and wonderful customer service. She has steadily been rising in the cupcake/cake world in Minnesota.
I have been utterly impressed with this lady’s ability to work crazy hard while managing to stay connected to her family and friends. I use Amy as my personal example of keeping play and fun mixed in with work. She works hard and plays harder, a combo that is incredibly hard to achieve when you are a working mom. Especially when you are a mom that owns your own business!
Check out Amy’s kick-starter campaign video for a bit about her new venture and, of course, her adorable daughter! Then check out her inspiring story and words of wisdom!
If we’re sitting here a year from now celebrating what a great year it’s been for you what achievement would you be most proud of?
The achievement I am hoping to be most proud of would be to have opened my store front. With years in the making, it has been a dream of mine to make it a reality, and finally it has come true. The process of getting a building, plans, contractors, and executing the build-out and becoming a store owner will be an amazing feeling.
- Who is your role model, and why?
My role model is my mom. She has always been there for me no matter what. When I was younger she was always a mother first. With discipline in the best way and loving me every minute of the way. If I can have the relationship with my daughter as I have with my mother, I would be more than honored. My mom puts everyone else first. She is an incredible businesswoman and mother.
- Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career
This project of getting my own storefront up and running has by far been the most challenging of any of the projects I have done. Getting everything organized from the building to the contractors to the build out and all while maintaining the business I already have has been difficult. Especially keeping the life and work balance in check. I have worked more late nights than I have before and in the end it will be the most rewarding accomplishment to date. Starting from working out of my house to owning a successful storefront in less than 2 years time is incredible. Fast paced and full of buttercream is my favorite way to go through life!
- What’s your superpower if you could choose any?
My super power would be speed like Flash. Then I could get everything done and still have all the time I would need to spend with my family and friends.
What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made getting your business up and running?
What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made getting your business up and running?- If you could time travel back to day one of your startup and have 15min with your former self to communicate any lessons you’ve acquired, what would you tell yourself?
I would tell myself to stop every week and get a massage. Especially working in a bakery you have to be able to have your body working it’s best always. I developed a mild case of tendinitis in my elbow and have regretted not taking time for myself, ever since. Stop, take care of your own self, and then take care of the business things.
- How many hours do you work a day on average?
- Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
I definitely admire Ashley Elwill of Ashley Elwill Photography. As much as she travels and bends over backward for her clients, it all seems worth it. She is an incredible person and has a huge heart. She will scout locations for clients, no matter how far away they are. She always goes the extra mile for everyone in her life. Her dedication to her craft is incredible. Her sweet nature brings out the best in anyone she takes pictures of especially little kiddos. I have never seen so many smiles on my daughter’s face as I have when Ashley took her pictures.
- Which Three Adjectives Describe Your Strengths?
Dedicated. Perfectionist. Perseverance
- Coffee or Tea?
Coffee
Although, if your mug is filled with macarons, could you blame her :)
- When you have 15 minutes of downtime…how do you spend it?
When you have 15 minutes of downtime…how do you spend it?Cuddling with my daughter and watching shows with my husband. If they aren’t around then I take little cat naps to refresh.
- So, what’s your story?
So, what’s your story?My story is my family. My whole life has been focused around family and the friends I have made throughout life have turned into family. I keep my heart on my sleeve and love passionately. Family and friends always come first for me. I have been in years and years of competitive sports, through many different jobs and had a few failed relationships. I’ve been through 6 different colleges and finally ended up with a bachelor’s degree in biology I don’t even use anymore. With all my life experiences I have had, they have gotten me to be the person I am today.
Being a successful business woman has been an incredibly humbling experience. Asking others for help and sometimes even money is never and easy thing. But here I am, starting my own store front and getting to bake for amazing people. My family and friends have supported me through all life’s ups and downs and with husband and daughter at my side, I don’t have worry about the downs anymore. Every day has it’s own challenges, but seeing my daughter grow into the little person she is has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. Finding my soul mate in my husband and getting to spend the rest of my days with him makes me complete in every sense of the word. Life is amazing and I can’t wait to see what the years to come bring us.
You guys! All the feels, right!
This woman is the real deal. She is a solid and kind as they come, passionate, determined, and a killer business woman. She is full of so much wisdome!
The one thing from her words that speaks to me the most, as a GirlBoss, is the need to take care of ME. Isn’t that so true? As mom’s, grandma’s, career women, WOMEN…we get moving and don’t stop until we break. Let’s pledge to take time for ourselves, shall we?
Please DO check out Amy’s kickstarter campaign, especially if you are a Minnesota native. I have been involved with her from the early years of Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe and truthfully am in love with her real ingredients, fabulous flavors, perfectionism, and her cakes! Oh gosh…don’t miss out on peeking at some of the cakes she has done. Art!
