Sweet Success: A Simple Recipe to Turn your Passion into Profit

by Candace Nelson

LEARN THE RECIPE FOR STARTING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS For the first time ever, founder of Sprinkles cupcakes, Candace Nelson, is sharing the recipe for success in her new book, Sweet Success. She will walk you through the steps she took to build a globally beloved brand, so you can do it too. Although she deals in frosting, there’s no sugarcoating here. Candace pushes back the kitchen door to reveal mistakes, misses, and lessons learned the hard way. Readers will learn how In a time of unprecedented disruption and innovation, people are rethinking career and professional purpose. It’s never been a better time to start a business. Sweet Success dispels the myth that entrepreneurship is reserved for an elite few and is a must-read for anyone with a passion needing a place to start or a push along the way. At a career crossroads, instead of going to business school like her peers, Candace Nelson reflected on what she really wanted to do—and did what nobody, including Candace herself, would have expected. She poured her passion and life savings into creating the world’s first cupcake bakery. Today, Sprinkles Cupcakes and its Cupcake ATMs have become a globally recognized brand, celebration mainstay and inspiration for entrepreneurs everywhere.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook

240 pages, Hardcover

Published November 8, 2022

Reviews

[Vinny Vitale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily digestible and had my mind spinning with ideas.

[Steve Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Stevo’s Novel Ideas, I am a long-time book reviewer, member of the media, an Influencer, and a content provider. I received this book as a free review copy from either the publisher, a publicist, or the author, and have not been otherwise compensated for reviewing or recommending it. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This book was Stevo's Business Book of the Week for the week of 1/8, as selected by Stevo's Book Reviews on the Internet and Stevo's Novel Ideas. Nelson walks you through the steps she took to build a globally beloved brand.

Starting your own business is a daunting task. There are so many questions: Where do you start? What are the steps in the process and how are they ordered? How do you measure success? There are many "How-To" books available, but it's also inspiring to read encouraging books from those who made it. Candace Nelson's "Sweet Success" is one of them.

Nelson, who left a career in investment banking to found the Sprinkles cupcake bakery, wrote this book to inspire other entrepreneurs to listen to the obsessive voice in their heads and take that first step: finding your passion and turning the emotion into a purpose and a profession.

"Sweet Success" guides readers through the ups and downs Nelson experienced as she started and grew her company: fighting back feelings of insecurity because she didn't follow the normal steps of professional development, not having all the answers to questions she was asked, becoming so attached to an idea she couldn't let go even when everything went wrong.

Each chapter of "Sweet Success" is an interactive blend of information (Adding Your Secret Ingredient, Stirring in Your Resolve, Injecting Your Brand with Filling, Pricing Out the Menu) with sidebars containing stories, insights, and followups, and ending with a "Food for Thought" exercise with questions to ponder, such as "Who is (and isn't) your target customer?"

"Sweet Success" is not only instructional, but an entertaining read - who doesn't want to know the behind-the-scenes story of a success many of us watched as it was happening?

As Nelson says: Hold on to all those hats you're wearing and let's start dreaming big!

Find more Business Books of the Week on my Goodreads Listopia page at https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9..., and find many more reviewed and recommended books and products by searching for me on Google.

[Alicia Jessop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for budding entrepreneurs that breaks it all down in simple terms and applicable steps.

[Allyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook which was read by the author. O love this genre of books and have had Sprinkles cupcakes a few times, so was excited to learn more. I think the problem was that this book didn’t know what it wanted to be. Was it a memoir? Was it a guide on how to start a business? It tried to be both without much success.

Candace didn’t go very deep on her experiences with starting Sprinkles or really dive into the challenges she faced. I think she wanted to project her massive success but it came across as inauthentic without acknowledging true struggle.

As a reference book on starting a company, it’s too disorganized for that. She’ll typically start a chapter on her story then end with some sort of concept. You would be much better off picking up a multitude of books focused specifically on starting a company without a memoir mixed in.

I would only recommend this book if you love this genre. I don’t think it’s very inspiring to a mass audience.

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

All in all an interesting read about the creation of sprinkles cupcakes and how to start a business in general. I didn't know that much about Candace's background pre cupcake bakery so it was interesting to hear her starting out. Some of the other business examples were not as relevant as I would have hoped and the acknowledgements did nod to the fact that she had some family backing which wasn't really touched on in the book at all (aside from her husband). A little bit kitschy or maybe the Gen Z would say cheugy at points but overall I enjoyed it and learned some good tips.

*note I had the audio book version so I think some of the cheugy bits seem slightly less cringey hearing them in her own voice.

[Alyssa Foll · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable, quick read about the success of Sprinkles, a cupcake phenomenon. There were some helpful takeaways and a few new ideas, but if you're looking to really delve into entrepreneurship or how to start a business, this is not that book. It is, however, a great book for inspiration and for pointing you in the right direction.
I also appreciated that the baking motif was not too overdone in the book. I know that it's a story about cupcakes so there could be lots of metaphors to be used about "gathering ingredients" or "preheating the oven" but thankfully, this did not feel saccharine.

[Katelyn Hamaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a Sprinkles cupcake and I was a fan of Candace’s podcast while it was airing. This is a behind the scenes peek at how she made her company a success; she shares everything she learned along the way. It felt thorough and candid: she did mince words for how hard it was to be an entrepreneur. But she also made sure this was a fun, engaging read. I hope she plans on writing more books or cookbooks!

[Huzef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great work by Candace!

[Restaurant Junkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of Sprinkles cupcakes. This has nothing to do with the quality of the product. A cupcake killed my family, and I am holding a grudge.

That said, I think this is an excellent book on entrepreneurship and running a business. I was worried it would read like a melodramatic rags-to-riches story, but it's a thoughtful "How to make rags into riches" book instead.

I feel a little silly offering this opinion. Although I've long been interested in starting a small business, I have never actually started one myself, so who am I to say this? I have worked as a manager in many other people's small businesses, and this book says many things I've always believed to be true. Often, I've seen owners ignore this advice to their detriment.

Remarkably thorough and well-organized in its approach, this book will be on my shelf, reread regularly, and loaned out often.

[Erin Ryder · Rating 2 out of 5]

A number of editorial reviews praised this and I thought it would be an interesting brand backstory. All fluff with little substance. It turns out being a successful female founder is easy. You just need a background in VC, a husband who quits his finance job, and a combined several hundred thousand dollars in savings. Voila!

[Katryn Seeburger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has lots of wonderfully placed puns and wording to match with the baking industry. Additionally, it is lovely to hear the perspective of a female entrepreneur and a dive into the further aspects of following an idea.

[Audrey Haugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some really great material that was broken down into simple terms for new entrepreneurs. I reference it as material for starting my own business. My only complaint is that it often felt slightly repetitive which made me wonder whether it was worth it to finish.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this one. It was neat hearing about how Candace Nelson started and expanded Sprinkles. She gives a lot of good information along with multiple examples of the many factors that go into starting a business.

[Hannah Pelfresne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - this breaks down beginning an entrepreneurial journey in a very approachable way and definitely ignites a part of me to think differently about entrepreneurial ideas.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this step by step guide to starting and scaling a business. I thought she did a good job explaining each step and not over complicating them.

[Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reads like part memoir, part business/entrepreneurship book. It really focuses on the story of Sprinkles and Candace Nelson, and then it tries to help the reader apply some lessons from opening and running the business.

I like the story of Sprinkles, although I haven't ever been to one of their shops. I heard about this book on a podcast and since I own a small business, I was very interested in the story and anything I could learn from it. I pre-ordered the book.

It's pretty well written, but I couldn't help thinking how much it suffered from survivorship bias. Many things went really well for Sprinkles and they have a great product. They also had some really good luck -- particularly a lot of good press by being located in Beverly Hills. While starting a business doing something you love (like baking) works well for some people, it will fail for many others. I didn't feel like that was addressed enough in the book, and she really encourages people to follow their passion at one point in the book which can be bad advice. Candace Nelson and her husband spent a lot of money on their first location, and many small business owners won't have that kind of start-up capital.

The book got very much into self-promotion for the author towards the end. It kind of ended on a low note for me because of that. But kudos to the author and her husband for growing a huge business from scratch. Stories like this are inspiring. It takes guts to start a business and a lot of hard work to get it going. Candace Nelson and her husband (business partner) certainly had guts and hard work.

If you're looking for inspiration and a few good, basic ideas for starting a small business, then this would be a good book to read.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Success by Candace Nelson

Part autobiography and part entrepreneurship explained with catchy baking terms for section titles, this book gives a look at the way SPRINKLES became a big name in business and baking as it took cupcakes to a level they had never been before. The business had ups and downs, as did the author, and some were discussed with how they were overcome.

Having a dream is not enough, passion is not enough, hard work is not enough…in fact…even if one were to follow every suggestion in this book…one still might not succeed. This book does provide concrete steps, suggestions that are worth listening to, and a lot that can be learned. I learned that starting a business is not my personal passion but did think about the suggestions and then wondered which of my interests might have been one that would/could have become a passion that led to a successful income generating international success…

The catchy titles, headings, and subheadings were enough without being too much, the steps offered were organized in a way that would lead a person through what needs to be done, the examples of successful businesses were spot-on, and though not a complete business design tome – a good place to start when considering opening a business.

My favorite part of each chapter was at the very end where the author provided a section called, ‘food for thought’ where questions were asked that made me put my thinking cap on and in so doing…evaluate what would be required to really succeed…or…have a chance at succeeding should I ever decide to open a business.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC – this is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her new book, Candace Nelson takes us through her journey of becoming one of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs with her bakery business, Sprinkles Cupcakes. She covers the whole gamut and provides an almost step-by-step guide for those seeking to start a business or develop a product/brand. This book serves as a guide chock full of insight, tips, and tools without making it feel daunting or impossible. I found myself jotting down notes for future reference and inspiration. If you’re curious how Sprinkles came to be, or how successful businesses run in general, it’s a really interesting read for that too.

This book is a great resource if you’re like me and have spent years spinning your wheels in an industry that no longer serves you. If ever there was a book that spoke to me at the exact right time, it’s this one. I hope this is the case for other readers who are similarly seeking professional inspiration and motivation to pursue our dreams.

Regardless of your specific interests, pick this book up if you’re starting a business, have no idea where to start, or like me, just have that little gnawing fire in your belly to finally do what makes you happy. It offers invaluable advice and plenty of food for thought that can easily translate to any industry or pursuit you may be dreaming of.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for providing me with more information. Here is my review of "Sweet Success" by Candice Nelson:

"Sweet Success" by Candice Nelson is a fantastic read for anyone interested in baking and entrepreneurship. As the founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes, Candice Nelson shares her inspiring journey of how she started her business from scratch and turned it into a multi-million dollar empire.

The book is well-written and engaging, and the author's passion for baking and entrepreneurship shines through every page. She provides valuable insights and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking to start their own business, and also shares some of her signature cupcake recipes along the way.

What I appreciated most about this book was how honest and candid Nelson was about the challenges and setbacks she faced in her journey. She doesn't sugarcoat anything and provides a realistic portrayal of what it takes to start and run a successful business.

Overall, "Sweet Success" is a highly recommended book for anyone interested in baking, entrepreneurship, or just looking for some inspiration to pursue their dreams. It's a delightful read that will leave you feeling motivated and ready to take on the world.

[Vanessa Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, easy read for a business/professional development book. Though it's aimed at entrepreneurs, I think there are some valuable points made here for all professionals.

As a teenage girl in the early aughts, obsessed with all things Pop Culture, I first heard about Sprinkles in the pages of People Magazine. Candace talks about some of their early success, including their accidental success with celebrities. She talks a ton about their early days and their shop in Beverly Hills, where many of us officially experienced Sprinkles for the first time. I do wish she had gone into how they branched out in the early days a bit more.

Candace and her husband worked so hard in the early days. I especially enjoyed the stories relating to their signature dot decorations, and how the two of them quickly made 300 cupcakes and rushed to LAX for a redeye for her first appearance on Oprah.

A good read that will make you want a Sprinkles Red Velvet.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will make you want to eat a cupcake! I have had cupcakes from Sprinkles and seen Cupcake Wars on the Food Network, but I never thought about how the business came to be. In this book, the author shares how she and her husband quit their jobs in finance and started with one store in Beverly Hills. Sprinkles quickly grew and there were bumps along the way. The foray into ice cream was particularly interesting. It was not an easy path. Candace mixes in her experience starting the business along with examples from other companies. Each chapter ends with “Food for Thought” and there are graphics throughout. A good read for business advice and how hard it is to build a business, even when you had some of the advantages that Candace had.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Chrissann Nickel · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who dreams of opening up a bakery-style business one day, I was really excited to find this book.

While I don’t have any interest in pursuing a nationwide business model that’s fueled by celebrity like Sprinkles, it was incredibly interesting to hear the story behind it and get peeks into the hiccups and successes they experienced along the way.

I found the book motivating, decently insightful, and quick to read. It’s shaped as a general business book with Sprinkles as the main business example. I think it would have been stronger if it was allowed to just be a memoir about the brand and the business of running a bakery. I can’t imagine anyone not interested in this industry would find it all that useful, as the actual business advice is very surface-level, Biz Lite because it attempts to cover everything in a broad overview.

[Cynthia Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Success - A Simple Recipe to Turn your Passion into Profit by Candace Nelson is written in a very readable, reader friendly format. It succeeds where so many other books veer off into business school jargon. As I read, it felt like I was getting common sense advice from a friend who had a wealth of experience. The author makes clear that being an entrepreneur and starting a business is a lot of hard work, while still making it approachable. Each chapter culminates with “Food for Thought” questions relevant to that section that the budding entrepreneur should ask before opening their business. (I reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.) Overall, a well-written book that I would recommend to others.

[Jenny Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lived in Southern California when Sprinkles Cupcakes blew up. The brand became infused into everyday culture and was the coveted dessert offered at workplace events, birthday parties and the best gift you could give someone to earn goodwill. Candace Nelson revolutionized cupcakes and the baking industry and she generously explained how she did it in her book. My main takeaways from this book were leading your company with passion, strategy, mission, purpose and hustle to build a beloved brand.

"If entrepreneurship boils down to one thing, it's betting on yourself. Never put all your eggs in one basket - unless it's your own". - Candace Nelson

This was an excellent read whether you are an entrepreneur or just want to read about an incredibly inspiring story.

[Astha Chand (asthacreates) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

I’m usually a little cautious about reading memoirs/nonfiction books by entrepreneurs but I’m SO glad I chose to read and review this book. I’ve watched Candace Nelson on TV for years, and I always loved her because she was so honest, yet sweet. Reading this book, though, has made me like her even more and has inspired me so much. We see her successes, but we also see her struggles and challenges. A great read for someone looking to start their entrepreneurial journey. Also loved the ‘Takeaways’ and ‘Food for Thought’ sections… and so random, but I loveddd the formatting of the book too (the pinks were so cute! 😄).

Thank you, Cupcake Queen, for this!

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, the founder of Sprinkles cupcakes shares her recipe for success. The author gives us the steps and lessons for women to become entrepreneurs and start believing in themselves and their ideas. She talks about branding and starting a business. She also talks about going global and expanding on a simple idea. This inspiring and humorous book is full of advice from the author and other women business owners.

I loved the book, especially all the little excerpts from different women founders. The book celebrates the author and her journey but also gives us insights from many others who have succeeded in creating their own businesses. It is also a practical guide and offers easy tips for taking off by starting with a great idea. By the end, you will be ready to jump in and start finding out what you can do.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...

[Steph Shields · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish Candace had written a memoir. This book felt like it was half-advice, half-storytelling, and its failure to commit to either purpose made it mediocre at both. Candace’s life story and the story of Sprinkles is fascinating, but I wish she had illustrated that single-handedly. This “advice” book is overly-saturated with cupcake puns and somewhat irrelevant stories. To learn the important lessons from this book, I recommend Founded by Melissa Kaufman and Mike Raab, as it is much more concise and applicable. And I hope Candace writes a memoir.

[Marie Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't dream of turning their passion into a liveable income? Who doesn't want to only do what they love? Who doesn't want to make a living out of something that brings them joy?

If, as I do, want that too, you will find this book amazing! The tips here work for any passion you may have, but, if you want to open a bakery, it really can't be missed!

Interested? I wrote an article on the blog that sums up 10 lessons from "Sweet Success" on how to follow your passion and turn your hobby into full-time work! Check them out, along with more impressions on the book:

https://shereadsbusiness.com/2023/04/...

[Starlight Wymore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Candace Nelson, creator of the Sprinkles cupcake phenomenon, spills her secrets in this one! As someone who apparently lived under a rock and had never heard of Sprinkles cupcakes or this cupcake ATM thing and has never watched an episode of Cupcake Wars, I had no idea - honestly, none - who Candace Nelson was or anything about Sprinkles. This gave me a different perspective in that I was able to base my opinion of this book on the book itself, not my opinion of cupcakes, Nelson, or a TV show. While everything Nelson has accomplished is certainly impressive, this book stands on its own merits. She completely breaks down the process of starting a business, tackling inevitable, but unforeseen obstacles, and even the exit process needed to allow your business to continue growth. Very detailed with tons of useful info, but also readable and entertaining. Nelson not only provides anecdotes from her own experiences, but also shines a light on many other entrepreneurs and their stories.

Loved it. Highly recommend to anyone who is looking to open their own business, especially if it’s a product-based brick and mortar.

Thanks to Candace Nelson, HarperCollins Leadership, and Netgalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.

[Vinki Oberoi]

This book felt very personal to me. I have always dreamt of creating a side hustle for myself, but never been able to really do anything about it. After reading Candace’s story I am so motivated. It’s a must read for anyone looking for inspiration to start their own business or just looking for inspiration. I would recommend this to all my friends 100%.