Never underestimate me. 💁🏼♀️
In my early career, I faced challenges being taken seriously as a woman in the male-dominated investment banking world.
When I aimed to build an empire with Sprinkles Cupcakes, some dismissed my baking passion as just a cute hobby.
Now, as I transition from “cupcake lady” to entrepreneurship mentor, I’m breaking free from any limiting beliefs that try to confine me to one box.
Keep growing, evolving, and smashing expectations – you got this! 👏🏻
#womeninbusiness #sharktank #sharktankabc #candacenelson #womenentrepreneurship #sprinklescupcakes #womenentrepeneurs #entrepreneurhustle #businesshumor
Everyone says to follow your passion…
but not many tell you how to actually discover it 🤔
Try reflecting on these 6 questions to spark your imagination and uncover your passion!
👉🏻 What is a topic you could talk about for hours?
👉🏻 What would your friends consider you an expert on?
👉🏻 What do you do to have fun?
👉🏻 What did you love to do as a child?
👉🏻 What impact do you want to make on the world?
👉🏻 What do you want to achieve in your life?
Are these prompts helpful to you? Let me know in the comments if you’re going to use these to discover your passion, or if you’ve already found your passion – share it! 💛
#entrepreneurmotivation #passionpreneur #bossmentality #aspiringentrepreneur #buildingempires #femaleentrepreneur #womenwithvision #findyourpassion
Last week, I had the honor of being a keynote speaker for the UCLA Anderson School of Management Velocity Women’s Leadership Summit.
It was truly a celebration of the power and impact of women ❤️
I loved connecting with so many business school students, many of whom are already building companies!
Women are the future! 💪🏻 Thank you @uclaanderson
(Styling: @smythebrand @gucci @staud @gabrielagearst @ofthemomnt)
#womeninbusiness #womeninbiz #womeninspiringwomen #womenentrepreneurs #womenentrepreneurship #femalentrepreneurs #publicspeaker #publicspeakers #uclabusiness
Last week, I had the honor of being a keynote speaker for the UCLA Anderson School of Management Velocity Women’s Leadership Summit.
It was truly a celebration of the power and impact of women ❤️
I loved connecting with so many business school students, many of whom are already building companies!
Women are the future! 💪🏻 Thank you @uclaanderson
(Styling: @smythebrand @gucci @staud @gabrielagearst @ofthemomnt)
#womeninbusiness #womeninbiz #womeninspiringwomen #womenentrepreneurs #womenentrepreneurship #femalentrepreneurs #publicspeaker #publicspeakers #uclabusiness
Last week, I had the honor of being a keynote speaker for the UCLA Anderson School of Management Velocity Women’s Leadership Summit.
It was truly a celebration of the power and impact of women ❤️
I loved connecting with so many business school students, many of whom are already building companies!
Women are the future! 💪🏻 Thank you @uclaanderson
(Styling: @smythebrand @gucci @staud @gabrielagearst @ofthemomnt)
#womeninbusiness #womeninbiz #womeninspiringwomen #womenentrepreneurs #womenentrepreneurship #femalentrepreneurs #publicspeaker #publicspeakers #uclabusiness
My business journey is far from linear…
Most successful entrepreneurs didn’t have a straight shot trajectory to arrive at where they are now!
If you’re not 100% clear on what you want to do with your life, or you’re contemplating a full 180 to pivot your career path, don’t worry. I’ve been there!
From investment banking to technology to baking, to creating a multi-million dollar business, to pivoting AGAIN to pizza, and now pursuing new passions like public speaking, writing and investing, I’ll be the first to say that you don’t have to have it all figured out.
What you DO have to get clear on in order to find success is…
– Your passion and purpose
– Your unique competitive advantage
– A strong belief in yourself, even when others doubt you
Who else has had a unique business journey? Share it with me in the comments! 👇🏻💖
#entrepreneurjourney #femaleentrepreneur #sprinkles #sprinklescupcakes #cupcakeatm #cupcakewars #sugarrushnetflix #pizzana #sharktank #entrepreneurstory #entrepreneurstories
My business journey is far from linear…
Most successful entrepreneurs didn’t have a straight shot trajectory to arrive at where they are now!
If you’re not 100% clear on what you want to do with your life, or you’re contemplating a full 180 to pivot your career path, don’t worry. I’ve been there!
From investment banking to technology to baking, to creating a multi-million dollar business, to pivoting AGAIN to pizza, and now pursuing new passions like public speaking, writing and investing, I’ll be the first to say that you don’t have to have it all figured out.
What you DO have to get clear on in order to find success is…
– Your passion and purpose
– Your unique competitive advantage
– A strong belief in yourself, even when others doubt you
Who else has had a unique business journey? Share it with me in the comments! 👇🏻💖
#entrepreneurjourney #femaleentrepreneur #sprinkles #sprinklescupcakes #cupcakeatm #cupcakewars #sugarrushnetflix #pizzana #sharktank #entrepreneurstory #entrepreneurstories
My business journey is far from linear…
Most successful entrepreneurs didn’t have a straight shot trajectory to arrive at where they are now!
If you’re not 100% clear on what you want to do with your life, or you’re contemplating a full 180 to pivot your career path, don’t worry. I’ve been there!
From investment banking to technology to baking, to creating a multi-million dollar business, to pivoting AGAIN to pizza, and now pursuing new passions like public speaking, writing and investing, I’ll be the first to say that you don’t have to have it all figured out.
What you DO have to get clear on in order to find success is…
– Your passion and purpose
– Your unique competitive advantage
– A strong belief in yourself, even when others doubt you
Who else has had a unique business journey? Share it with me in the comments! 👇🏻💖
#entrepreneurjourney #femaleentrepreneur #sprinkles #sprinklescupcakes #cupcakeatm #cupcakewars #sugarrushnetflix #pizzana #sharktank #entrepreneurstory #entrepreneurstories
My business journey is far from linear…
Most successful entrepreneurs didn’t have a straight shot trajectory to arrive at where they are now!
If you’re not 100% clear on what you want to do with your life, or you’re contemplating a full 180 to pivot your career path, don’t worry. I’ve been there!
From investment banking to technology to baking, to creating a multi-million dollar business, to pivoting AGAIN to pizza, and now pursuing new passions like public speaking, writing and investing, I’ll be the first to say that you don’t have to have it all figured out.
What you DO have to get clear on in order to find success is…
– Your passion and purpose
– Your unique competitive advantage
– A strong belief in yourself, even when others doubt you
Who else has had a unique business journey? Share it with me in the comments! 👇🏻💖
#entrepreneurjourney #femaleentrepreneur #sprinkles #sprinklescupcakes #cupcakeatm #cupcakewars #sugarrushnetflix #pizzana #sharktank #entrepreneurstory #entrepreneurstories
My business journey is far from linear…
Most successful entrepreneurs didn’t have a straight shot trajectory to arrive at where they are now!
If you’re not 100% clear on what you want to do with your life, or you’re contemplating a full 180 to pivot your career path, don’t worry. I’ve been there!
From investment banking to technology to baking, to creating a multi-million dollar business, to pivoting AGAIN to pizza, and now pursuing new passions like public speaking, writing and investing, I’ll be the first to say that you don’t have to have it all figured out.
What you DO have to get clear on in order to find success is…
– Your passion and purpose
– Your unique competitive advantage
– A strong belief in yourself, even when others doubt you
Who else has had a unique business journey? Share it with me in the comments! 👇🏻💖
#entrepreneurjourney #femaleentrepreneur #sprinkles #sprinklescupcakes #cupcakeatm #cupcakewars #sugarrushnetflix #pizzana #sharktank #entrepreneurstory #entrepreneurstories
My business journey is far from linear…
Most successful entrepreneurs didn’t have a straight shot trajectory to arrive at where they are now!
If you’re not 100% clear on what you want to do with your life, or you’re contemplating a full 180 to pivot your career path, don’t worry. I’ve been there!
From investment banking to technology to baking, to creating a multi-million dollar business, to pivoting AGAIN to pizza, and now pursuing new passions like public speaking, writing and investing, I’ll be the first to say that you don’t have to have it all figured out.
What you DO have to get clear on in order to find success is…
– Your passion and purpose
– Your unique competitive advantage
– A strong belief in yourself, even when others doubt you
Who else has had a unique business journey? Share it with me in the comments! 👇🏻💖
#entrepreneurjourney #femaleentrepreneur #sprinkles #sprinklescupcakes #cupcakeatm #cupcakewars #sugarrushnetflix #pizzana #sharktank #entrepreneurstory #entrepreneurstories
My business journey is far from linear…
Most successful entrepreneurs didn’t have a straight shot trajectory to arrive at where they are now!
If you’re not 100% clear on what you want to do with your life, or you’re contemplating a full 180 to pivot your career path, don’t worry. I’ve been there!
From investment banking to technology to baking, to creating a multi-million dollar business, to pivoting AGAIN to pizza, and now pursuing new passions like public speaking, writing and investing, I’ll be the first to say that you don’t have to have it all figured out.
What you DO have to get clear on in order to find success is…
– Your passion and purpose
– Your unique competitive advantage
– A strong belief in yourself, even when others doubt you
Who else has had a unique business journey? Share it with me in the comments! 👇🏻💖
#entrepreneurjourney #femaleentrepreneur #sprinkles #sprinklescupcakes #cupcakeatm #cupcakewars #sugarrushnetflix #pizzana #sharktank #entrepreneurstory #entrepreneurstories
My business journey is far from linear…
Most successful entrepreneurs didn’t have a straight shot trajectory to arrive at where they are now!
If you’re not 100% clear on what you want to do with your life, or you’re contemplating a full 180 to pivot your career path, don’t worry. I’ve been there!
From investment banking to technology to baking, to creating a multi-million dollar business, to pivoting AGAIN to pizza, and now pursuing new passions like public speaking, writing and investing, I’ll be the first to say that you don’t have to have it all figured out.
What you DO have to get clear on in order to find success is…
– Your passion and purpose
– Your unique competitive advantage
– A strong belief in yourself, even when others doubt you
Who else has had a unique business journey? Share it with me in the comments! 👇🏻💖
#entrepreneurjourney #femaleentrepreneur #sprinkles #sprinklescupcakes #cupcakeatm #cupcakewars #sugarrushnetflix #pizzana #sharktank #entrepreneurstory #entrepreneurstories
My business journey is far from linear…
Most successful entrepreneurs didn’t have a straight shot trajectory to arrive at where they are now!
If you’re not 100% clear on what you want to do with your life, or you’re contemplating a full 180 to pivot your career path, don’t worry. I’ve been there!
From investment banking to technology to baking, to creating a multi-million dollar business, to pivoting AGAIN to pizza, and now pursuing new passions like public speaking, writing and investing, I’ll be the first to say that you don’t have to have it all figured out.
What you DO have to get clear on in order to find success is…
– Your passion and purpose
– Your unique competitive advantage
– A strong belief in yourself, even when others doubt you
Who else has had a unique business journey? Share it with me in the comments! 👇🏻💖
#entrepreneurjourney #femaleentrepreneur #sprinkles #sprinklescupcakes #cupcakeatm #cupcakewars #sugarrushnetflix #pizzana #sharktank #entrepreneurstory #entrepreneurstories
My business journey is far from linear…
Most successful entrepreneurs didn’t have a straight shot trajectory to arrive at where they are now!
If you’re not 100% clear on what you want to do with your life, or you’re contemplating a full 180 to pivot your career path, don’t worry. I’ve been there!
From investment banking to technology to baking, to creating a multi-million dollar business, to pivoting AGAIN to pizza, and now pursuing new passions like public speaking, writing and investing, I’ll be the first to say that you don’t have to have it all figured out.
What you DO have to get clear on in order to find success is…
– Your passion and purpose
– Your unique competitive advantage
– A strong belief in yourself, even when others doubt you
Who else has had a unique business journey? Share it with me in the comments! 👇🏻💖
#entrepreneurjourney #femaleentrepreneur #sprinkles #sprinklescupcakes #cupcakeatm #cupcakewars #sugarrushnetflix #pizzana #sharktank #entrepreneurstory #entrepreneurstories
That feeling when…
👉🏻 You are the one who decides how far you will go. Nobody else can cap your income or put a ceiling on what’s possible for you!
👉🏻 You control your own schedule.
👉🏻 Your career is something you’re actually passionate about!
If you’ve realized the entrepreneurship path is for you, you need to be a part of the Sweet Success community
👉🏻 Comment “newsletter” if you want weekly entrepreneurship inspiration!
#entrepreneurmotivation #entrepreneurjourney #entrepreneurgoals #womenenterpreneur #womenentrepreneurs #candacenelson #womeninbusiness #womeninspiringwomen #beyourownboss #bosswomenmindset
Here’s why “stupidity” can serve you well in entrepreneurship… (When you channel it correctly!)
Just like the founders of Great Gatsby (after selling Halo Top), I quickly launched right into my next business @pizzana after Sprinkles.
When scaling a business is in your rear view mirror it can be easy to forget how hard it was and want to jump right back in for more! 🤪
But that’s okay!
Embrace a bit of ‘stupidity.’ Let the energy of your initial excitement fuel your journey.
Sometimes, not knowing all the risks can be the key to taking bold, game-changing steps in entrepreneurship. 🚀
#sharktank #sharktankabc #abcsharktank #candacenelson #sprinklescupcakes #pizzana #halotop #entrepreneurshipmindset #entrepreneurshipmotivation #entrepreneurmotivation
Let’s talk about the moment I shifted my mindset for good… 💫
When I first conceived the idea for Sprinkles, I envisioned just one successful location as the pinnacle of my ambition. I convinced myself that this would be enough, that I would be content with this modest achievement. Who was I to want more, right? 🤷🏼♀️
It was my husband who challenged me to think BIGGER.
He saw greater potential, a grander vision for our future. It was then that I realized I had been playing it safe, limiting myself to small aspirations. As a woman, I had been conditioned to accept modest success and to avoid setting “unreasonable” goals.
I began to imagine a new possibility: Why settle for one successful location when we could build a national brand? I embraced this new, larger-than-life vision and allowed myself to imagine the possibility of significant success!
I dared to dream big, and I challenge YOU to do the same! ⭐️
What was your breakthrough mindset moment? 👇🏻
#entrepreneurmindset #entrepreneurmindsets #mindsetshifts #successmindset #womenentrepreneurs #changeyourmindset #changeyourmindsetchangeyourlife
Wait a minute… this tradeoff doesn’t seem fair! 😂
Let’s get real for a sec. Entrepreneurship often looks all shiny on social media and in success stories, but there’s a lot more to it. Sure, you might gain time and financial freedom…
BUT, especially at the start, you might also give up things like stability and the ability to switch off from work mode. Who else here is constantly thinking about their business, day and night? 😂👋🏻
#entrepreneurproblems #entrepreneurlife #entrepreneurhustle #womenentrepreneurs #businessownerproblems #businesswoman
There’s nothing like that feeling of realizing you ACTUALLY made it happen. 🔥
All the time you spent wondering if your idea could actually work, all that time sacrificed, all those long hours are SO WORTH IT when you see your creation thriving in front of you!
PS: location #7 opens in Houston tomorrow!
Getting to walk by @pizzana is a dream come true ❤️🍕
When was your “this is all worth it” moment? 🤔 Tell me about it in the comments!
#candacenelson #entrepreneurmotivation #womeninbusiness #femaleentrepreneurship #femaleentrepreneurs #pizzana #sharktank #sprinklescupcakes #findyourpassion #entrepreneurjourney
Vulnerability could be the missing ingredient in your business’s success…
Take @sugaredbyroses for example, who shared a raw, honest moment and gained a rush of support from the Instagram community!
By showcasing the “not so fun” side of being a business owner, or a relatable struggle, you can tap into a whole new depth of connection with others.
Here are some ways to utilize social media in your business to bring out the goodwill in others:
➡️ Share your goals and let others buy in to helping you get there
➡️ Share an obstacle you’ve faced and how you overcame it
➡️ Share a current struggle and ask your audience for advice
➡️ Promote your business and how it helps solve a problem for people
➡️ Give your audience a reason to root for you – share your business’s backstory and how you got to where you are today
Social media is a powerful tool for growing your business and building real connections, but it might be time to show some of the hard times along with the good!
#vulnerabilityisstrength #vulnerability #thepowerofsocialmedia #supportsmallbusinesses #socialmediaforgood #entrepreneurlessons #businesslessons #socialmediaforbusiness #candacenelson #entrepreneurwomen
Let’s embrace those big, scary moves. 😌👇🏻
It’s natural to view people in the spotlight as fearless. But if you take a moment to peek behind the facade…
You might see me scaling businesses or speaking on stages across the country and assume I approached these opportunities with nothing but excitement.
Think again. ❌
There’s always fear in big moments. The thing about fear, however, is that you have a choice. You may not have a choice in feeling the fear, but you DO have a choice in whether you’ll allow the fear to stop you.
I leaned into the uncertainty of being an entrepreneur and it opened up my life in so many ways. I performed through the anxiety of public speaking, and now I absolutely love speaking to crowds!
THIS is your sign to feel the fear and do it anyway. 👏🏻💖 Tag a friend who you want to enter your fearless era with 👇🏻
#entrepreneurinspiration #entrepreneurmindset #motivationforwomen #taketherisk #challengeyourself #challengeaccepted #dreambig #candacenelson
Bootstrapping your business might be the only financing option available to you. But even when you have investors knocking down your door, bootstrapping can be a strategic choice!
Bootstrapping allows you to keep 💯 ownership of your company, meaning you retain all the decision making, as well as all the rewards.
If you are bootstrapping a business like I did for Sprinkles Cupckes, here are some tips:
👉🏻 Things will take twice as long and cost twice as much as you think they will – always model out your business conservatively!
👉🏻 You’ll have to get scrappy – Using your own money to fund the business means you’ll have to be creative about where to cut personal expenses
👉🏻 Not everyone will understand your sacrifices, and that’s okay!
Was this helpful? Comment “newsletter” if you want to receive weekly inspiration and advice like this for building your business and brand!
Bootstrapping your business might be the only financing option available to you. But even when you have investors knocking down your door, bootstrapping can be a strategic choice!
Bootstrapping allows you to keep 💯 ownership of your company, meaning you retain all the decision making, as well as all the rewards.
If you are bootstrapping a business like I did for Sprinkles Cupckes, here are some tips:
👉🏻 Things will take twice as long and cost twice as much as you think they will – always model out your business conservatively!
👉🏻 You’ll have to get scrappy – Using your own money to fund the business means you’ll have to be creative about where to cut personal expenses
👉🏻 Not everyone will understand your sacrifices, and that’s okay!
Was this helpful? Comment “newsletter” if you want to receive weekly inspiration and advice like this for building your business and brand!
