Presentation is everything. How you present a product to the desired demographic is key. And that's exactly what I thought when I developed the ad for Tiny Jewel Box titled 'Just a Little Frosting".
I moved to DC about two years ago from Beverly Hills, CA to take a job with a local jewelry company. My first task was to create fresh and eye-catching ads. The cupcake craze had just launched in Beverly Hills with the opening of Sprinkles. So cupcakes were definitely on my mind, especially since there were not cupcakeries in DC. I knew that I wanted to use a cupcake, but not an ordinary cupcake...I wanted Couture. So I approached a local pastry chef and he created a not so fabulous cupcake. He wasn't getting my vision. So that weekend I went to Michael's and purchased everything to make my dream cupcake. I bought Fondant, sugar flowers, cutters and a book on how to make decorations. I bought 8 boxes of instant cake mix and spent my weekend baking hundreds of cupcakes. After destroying my kitchen, I came out with four beautiful cupcakes. I photographed them and should them to the Chef. He said...aha! And within two days created spectacular cupcakes which were used to create a series of beautiful ads. After the ads launched, I looked at my box of goodies I purchased from Michael's and started to make more cupcakes. I spent several days finding the ultimate recipe from my Grandmother's cookbooks and baked away.
Soon, my friends were asking for my cupcakes. I got requests for "something pretty, something different". So I did just that. I developed unique flavor combinations and offered a variety of unique decorations. Some looked just too pretty to eat!
Finally, in April, I decided I wanted to share my passion for fabulous cupcakes with the public. I incorporated and got all my permits and licenses. I launched my website and a week later I got a call from Daily Candy. The next thing I know I'm being bombarded with orders. Not complaining, but it did shock me. I'm sure I disappointed a lot of people when I turned their orders away. I'm a stickler for quality and to make great anything, you need time. Quality cannot be rushed.
My future, well, I plan on opening a store and purchasing a very powerful and large oven that can make 200 cupcakes at a time. That way I can increase my capability and still make delicious and beautiful cupcakes.