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Entrepreneurial spirit keeps the cupcake mojo risin' |
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Lauren Sullivan, a 26-year-old Springfield resident, is the founder and baking force behind Cupcake Mojo, a small business that offers fancy cupcakes for special occasions. "Cooking is a really big part of my life," Sullivan said.
Reminder Publications submitted photo
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By Courtney Llewellyn
Reminder Assistant Editor
SPRINGFIELD Cakes can be heavy and difficult to transport, and there always seems to be a copious amount of cake left over after a party that someone gets saddled with.
Why not try something smaller for your get together, like cupcakes? That's an idea Lauren Sullivan, 26, is promoting.
"Cooking has always been a big part of my life," Sullivan said. "I love the Food Network. And I'm a very creative person. I like to cook, to paint, to draw."
She's taken all her interests and combined them into Cupcake Mojo, a business she works on part-time while being employed full-time at Frigo's in East Longmeadow.
The name of the business came about because Sullivan is a self-proclaimed "big Doors fan."
"I thought it [the name] would be fun," she said.
She added that she enjoys baking more than any other style of cooking because it seems to be a more creative venture.
"I like to do things with my hands," she said, "and I really like cake."
"I can't explain how happy it makes me to bring joy to someone's face when they see something that you have created with your own hands," she continued. "Making people happy is priceless and that truly is why I do what I do. To be a part of a memorable experience in someone's life, even if only through a cupcake, is something that words can't describe. It is amazing."
Sullivan offers fancy cupcakes for special occasions in a variety of flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, carrot cake and her favorite, red velvet cake. She'll also take special requests she said she's willing to work with a customer to create his or her desired cupcake spread.
"I like cupcakes better than regular cakes because they're easier to transport, to serve and to decorate," Sullivan stated.
Over the past six months, Cupcake Mojo has made hand-held desserts for all kinds of occasions, from birthdays to anniversaries to graduation parties.
Cheryl Smith, a customer, made an order for a small graduation party at Western New England College, where she works.
"I ordered two dozen cupcakes for our party - one dozen with the scales of justice on them, one dozen with flowers on them, for our graduating legal assistants," Smith explained. "They looked great and they got rave reviews from the people at the party. I only heard good things."
Smith added that she wouldn't hesitate to order from Cupcake Mojo again.
"Lauren is a wonderful young entrepreneur," Smith stated. "She's not afraid to do hard work. She's gonna go far."
Sullivan said that right now, she's focusing on working out the kinks in her business. She's also aiming to expand her experience by applying to some pastry schools.
"I'd love to have my own shop someday," she said.
To place an order with Cupcake Mojo, call Lauren Sullivan at 306-0266.
Are you a young entrepreneur who would like to spread the word about your business?
Contact Assistant Editors Courtney Llewellyn or Katelyn Gendron to learn how to share your story.
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