Candace Nelson

Background

About Candace Nelson

Hey, I’m Candace! I’m a Serial Entrepreneur, Guest Shark (season 15!), NYT and WSJ Bestselling Author, WSJ Contributor, Angel Investor, TV Personality, Executive Producer, Wife and Mom. I started my career working in investment banking and the internet start-up scene before completely shifting gears to follow my passion and attend pastry school. Here’s what happened next… In 2005, I opened the doors to Sprinkles, the world’s first cupcake bakery. Despite early naysayers, our 600-square-foot bakery in Beverly Hills disrupted the legacy bakery industry and ignited a worldwide cupcake phenomenon! In 2012 Sprinkles introduced its Cupcake ATM, a cutting-edge contactless cupcake delivery system. Later that year we sold Sprinkles to PE firm KarpReilly. Today, Sprinkles has sold over 200 million cupcakes, has over 20 stores, 30 Cupcake ATMs, and employees. In 2017, I co-founded Pizzana, a fast-growing chain of award-winning Neo-Neapolitan pizzerias, leading the “third wave” of pizza in the US. Pizzana cemented Los Angeles as a pizza destination and revolutionized pizza takeout with its innovative heat and slice at-home method. Pizzana also ships its frozen pizza nationwide. In 2021 I co-created and executive produced Best in Dough, a Hulu show starring Pizzana Executive Chef Daniele Uditi, streaming now! Today, through my company, CN2 Ventures, a family office, and venture studio, I’ve backed a diverse portfolio of startups in the specialty food, retail, health, wellness, and early childhood spaces with a focus on female and underrepresented founders. You may have seen me on the small screen where I am the executive producer and star in Netflix’s Sugar Rush and Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. My book, Sweet Success: A Simple Recipe For Turning Your Passion Into Profit was published by HarperCollins Leadership in November 2022 and is a WSJ bestseller. Check it out and order your copy here https://candace-nelson.com/sweet-success/ Book me to speak Join my substack here https://news.candace-nelson.com/ Follow me on other social media channels: Instagram TikTok You can grab my NYT bestselling cookbook, The Sprinkles Baking Book here https://amzn.to/3QzmGFS