The early days of my business:

I built the first cart out of a jogging stroller and with a wood box to sit on its frame. 

I was making cotton candy tubs and experimenting with my own sugar bases because I wanted it to be really specialty and extra. I’d put my kids to bed, and 8 p.m. to midnight were my hours for mixing sugars and trying flavors. I was getting my name out there, and doing local pickups for friends. I would bring all these flavors to people at my running club to try and get their opinions. 

During the early stages, I was also training for a 50 kilometer ultra run. I don’t know how I did it all while I was going through a separation.

It’s hard to remember the emotions I was feeling so early on in the stages. I remember it being exciting and a break from the chaos of my life. I felt like I was being productive. And even though I wasn’t making money [yet], I was doing my own thing. I wasn’t thinking this cotton candy was going to be a real job. 

Developing my signature product:

I remember turning over a deli container tub [filled with cotton candy], taking it out, and it looking like this little cake because it was all compact. I put a candle on the top, but I hadn’t cut it or anything. I just thought it was so cute.

I then tried to find a bigger sort of deli style container. I had this Costco-sized cottage cheese container from my mom. I made what I usually make in this bigger container, and I remember flipping it over and thinking, “I just created the coolest thing ever.” 

I knew then that my business was taking a turn and it was going to be focused on these cakes. I was so confident in that moment that this was it. It was a pivotal time.