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 Name: Jean Covel

Business: Cupcake Castle, a cupcake decorator and baker

Industry: Food & Beverage

Location: Fairlawn, Ohio, United States

Reason for starting: I have always enjoyed baking and cooking with my kids and now grandchildren. They always had so much fun and were so creative. It was a great way to spend time together. I have been in the restaurant business for 20 plus years. My daughter loved to bake and decorate cupcakes. At the time, there were no cupcake shops in our area. I didn’t want to open just a cupcake shop. I wanted to create a place where mothers could bring their children in and decorate cupcakes. It’s so rewarding to see their big smiles and eyes light up when they are decorating their own. There are no rules or exact measurements to cupcake decorating.

How do you define success? Success to me is starting a business that my family members can and want to be a part of. All of my family members have helped out with Cupcake Castle, from the littlest grandchild 3 yrs old, to the oldest, my father (and I’m not going to share his age with you). They have all touched this place and my heart. This is true enjoyment.

Biggest Success My biggest success is to have this to share and someday leave to my family.

What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? Trying to balance my home life and my business. I am fortunate that my family visits at the cupcake shop and we can still have quality time together while working together. Just starting out this new business, I can’t afford employees. I rely on family to help out. And I still have a house to keep up. It is like having two houses right now. I am putting this business first, which means I can’t always have a sink with no dishes or laundry baskets emptied. I do what I can, but it’s okay if my house isn’t spotless before I go to bed at night.

Who is your most important role model?
I believe that I have many role models. I learn from my children and grandchildren everyday. They give me insight and a set of new eyes. My mentor through opening this shop, Russ Vernon, owner of West Point Market, is a very successful business owner, who has given me so much advice! I meet people every day who I would consider role models.

 

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Website   cupcakecastle.net
Facebook   www.facebook.com/cupcakecastlefairlawnohio

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Edited by The Story Exchange