Shari Preister began making cupcakes at home for her friends. They loved them and decided to tell their friends about it and before she knew it, she was making cupcakes professionally. She was then invited to participate in Cupcake Wars and knew there was no turning back after that—she needed to open a store! The result was Cuppycakes, a one-of-a-kind cupcakes store that features ‘naked’ cupcakes. The premise of a “naked” cupcake is that the cupcake is not assembled until the customer comes into the store and orders. They then get to pick the flavor of the cake, filling, frosting and toppings. By doing cupcakes this way, the customer has more options than the usual cupcake store. Their options are only limited by their imagination.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – I think it would be having the opportunity to make cupcakes for celebrities such as Katy Perry, Bruce Springsteen, Dina Manzo and Diamond Rio.
Tell us a little about your family. – I have been happily married to my wonderful husband for 16 years. Together we have three children: Barrett-15, Lance- 11 and Bella-9.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Starting this business. It gave me the confidence to do things I normally would be fearful to do. In business you sometimes have to be fearless in order to make it. My motto is if you never try then you have already failed.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Hang out with the family. Starting a business takes a lot of time away from them.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I am Guatemalan.
What are you the most proud of? – My family. They are so supportive and have always encouraged me.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Stay small. Big isn’t always better. Just because I have a small business doesn’t mean I am not successful. By staying small I am able to concentrate on my customers. Additionally I have had opportunities that many “large” cupcake stores have never been given.
What is the one goal you would most like to accomplish? – To run a marathon.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – To be in two places at once. Then I would not miss important events for my family.Sometimes that is hard to achieve with a new business.
What are your plans after retirement? – Retire in a tropical paradise.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – Life is too short to not do what you love. Thankfully I get to use my talent, which is being creative. In order to make interesting flavors you have to think outside of the box. Some of my most unusual flavors have been my favorite.
Which talent would you most like to have? – To be athletic. I have not an athletic bone in my body!
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Hunger Games
What is your favorite movie? – Tombstone
What is your favorite TV show? – Modern Family
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Cantina Laredo
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – My grandfather. He died before I was born and he was a diplomat for Guatemala. I would do anything to have known him. He was an amazing man.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Visit: www.cuppycakes.net or email lovemycuppycakes@gmail.com