Cakepop Wisdom: ‘Your Business Is a Reflection of You’
The high school students we invite on the Wharton Global Youth Future of the Business World podcast come to us from many onramps, including our Leadership in the Business World, Innovation and Startup Culture, and Essentials of Entrepreneurship summer programs. We also recognize that innovative thinking often starts in the high school classroom. Today’s guest, Danielle Buchanan, first embraced her enterprising spirit through her Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship class in school. Today, she has a vibrant cake-pop brand and aspires to study product marketing after graduation. Just in time for a sweet treat in this Valentine’s Day season, we learn how Danielle’s business Cakepopulis has been a source of inspiration for her and a testament to never minimizing an opportunity.
Be sure to click on the arrow above to listen to our podcast conversation! An edited transcript appears below.
Wharton Global Youth Program: Hello and welcome to Future of the Business World. I’m Diana Drake with the Wharton Global Youth Program at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. As Wharton Global Youth introduces high school students to the full scope of business education, through our programs, courses, competitions and content, we also encourage them to embrace business opportunities, and prepare for successful futures.
Today’s guest has been doing just that, through her involvement with the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. Arriving on our podcast in the Valentine’s Day season, Danielle Buchanan is here to talk about her sweet innovation and passion for her product, cakepops.
Danielle, welcome to Future of the Business World.
Danielle Buchanan: Thank you for having me, Diana.
Wharton Global Youth: You live in the state of Georgia in the U.S. Tell us about your life there. Where do you go to school? And what do you enjoy doing?
Danielle: Well, again, I’m Danielle Buchanan, I attend McNair High School in Atlanta, Georgia. I’m 18 years old, and I am a senior there. A little bit about what I love to do for fun is, I love to bake, which led me to my business Cakepopulis. And, along with baking, I also love to plan events for one of my clubs, which is the Future Business Leaders of America chapter at my school. And I love just again, planning events for my club, helping my members and helping them be prepared for competitions. I’m also a big reader. So, I love reading books in my free time.
Wharton Global Youth: We’re going to talk about one of my favorite topics today, which is food and of course sweet treats, something that is on our minds and hearts right now in the season of Valentine’s Day. Your business Cakepopulis sells cakepops, which I definitely want to hear more about. We’re going to go deep on product development today. But first, I’ve heard baking is a family tradition for you. How did that influence your entrepreneurship journey?
Danielle: I come from a line of bakers. There are a lot of members in my family who love to bake. And each individual has their own little niche — one item that they really love to bake. And my niche is cakepops. Growing up, I remember always being in the kitchen with my mother and being her little assistant and helping her bake. As I grew up, I developed that love for baking. And as I stated before, my little niche was cakepops. This prompted me to want to have a business related to something that I’m great at doing. So, I paired my passion for baking, which comes from my family, and a problem and created Cakepopulis.
Wharton Global Youth: Let’s talk more about those cakepops. Can you describe your product for us? What do they look like? What flavors do you sell? How do you make them? Is there a trick to making a cakepop?
Danielle: I sell a variety of different flavors. We have Oreo, we have red velvet, we have vanilla, we have chocolate, we have carrot, we have confetti, just a multitude of different flavors that I can provide for my customers. So, a little bit about the cakepop itself. We start off with baking a cake. And then I pair that cake with frosting and I create little balls of cake and frosting. And then I take those balls and dip them in chocolate on sticks. And then that kind of creates a cakepop. So essentially, you can think of a cakepop as cake on a stick.
Wharton Global Youth. I love it. And what do they look like? Are they brightly colored? Are there sprinkles?
Danielle: Yes, there can be. I can do any different designs that my clients want. So, if they want sprinkles, they get sprinkles. If they want bright pops of colors, bright pinks and blues and yellows, we can do that as well. Or if they want toppings on top like with my Oreo cakepops. I top them with little Oreo crumbles on top. I can just do whatever fits my clients’ desires.
Wharton Global Youth: What is the most popular cakepop flavor? Is there one?
Danielle: Yes, there are actually two. We have Oreo. My clients really love that flavor for some reason. And they also love red velvet. I would say those two flavors are definitely my most popular. Whenever I’m getting orders, a lot of my clients usually ask me, okay, what are your most popular flavors? Because a lot of the times they’re undecided and they really want a good mix of cake-pop flavors for the events. And I always tell them Oreo and red velvet are fan favorites.
Wharton Global Youth: Do you have a favorite?
Danielle: I actually don’t have a favorite. I think I like them all.
Wharton Global Youth: Good answer. I want to talk more about the product. How did you arrive at your product assortment? Do you do a lot of testing in your kitchen? Were there any flavors that you developed that didn’t make the final cut?
Danielle: When creating cakepops, there’s definitely a lot of testing that goes on, because creating cakepops is not necessarily a universal process. Each baker has their own way of baking cakepops. And there’s a lot of different methods that you can use to make the cakepop. So, it depends on what works best for the baker and what works best for me. In the beginning, I tested out a lot of methods on how to make cakepops and just choosing the right method for me. So, definitely have people taste test and try out different designs and gathering inspiration online and seeing, ‘okay, what do I want my products in specific to look like?’
Wharton Global Youth: That sounds like a bit of an iterative process that you developed over time. Was there anything that didn’t quite work? A flavor that maybe you were like, oh, no, this isn’t going to make the final cut.
Danielle: Not necessarily flavors, per se, but I will definitely say methods. There have been a couple batches where cakepops are too heavy, the batter itself is too wet. So, it falls off the stick. Or it’s too dry, so it doesn’t stay up on the stick. Or maybe the chocolate doesn’t melt right. And it just really takes a lot of trial and error for you to learn what works for you and what you’re more comfortable with. And after many trials in the beginning stages, I finally found a method that works for me and that I’m comfortable with. And this is essentially the best recipe from what my customers have told me.
Wharton Global Youth: Your entrepreneurship journey actually began in the classroom. We’d love to hear more about that. How did your high school help to inspire innovation for you? And what were some of the ways you turned your idea into an enterprise?
Danielle: Cakepopulis started in the classroom, as you said. So I attend McNair High School and I created Cakepopulis from my NFTE [Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship] entrepreneurship class. And my entrepreneurship teacher was Linus Coleman. So, shoutout to him and his support and helping me to create Cakepopulis.
In our entrepreneurship class, we had a challenge. We had to find a problem that maybe we see in our local community, maybe in our school, maybe at home, or on a broader scale that we want to solve or take part in. So, my challenge was, kids get hungry during the day, sometimes they’re craving a little snack or a sweet treat and they don’t always have access to it, or they get hungry before lunchtime. So, the question for me when thinking internally is: how can I pair something that I’m great at — a skill that I know I can do very well — with the problem that I face in my community?
When talking with my advisor, he was like, ‘Well, Danielle, what’s something that you do really well, that you’re passionate about?’ And I was like, ‘I love baking.’ And he was like, ‘Well, you love baking. I know you know how to make cakepops. Why don’t you do a cakepop shop?’ And I remember thinking, can it really be that simple? How can a cakepop shop really solve that kind of a big problem? But essentially, it’s not always about having what seems like a big solution to solve a big problem. Sometimes, it’s the smaller solutions to make just a little bit of a difference in your community. So, I [said], let me make a cakepop shop to help solve this problem within my community.
And I really think having Mr. Coleman as well as NFTE helped me along that journey. NFTE is so important because it helps you to learn by doing. So, you’re not just learning about the different elements of solving a problem, but you’re actually going through them. I went through those different steps in order to create a business and to create a business that solves a problem. And I think that’s important. I’m grateful to Mr. Coleman and NFTE that I was able to go through that process to create Cakepopulis.
Wharton Global Youth: It sounds like you had a lot of support. And just to note, when you say NFTE, you’re talking about the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, for those who don’t know that acronym. I’d love to know when you decided in the classroom that this project could be an entrepreneurial venture, was there a moment where you thought, hey, this could really be a business?
Danielle: There was an “aha” moment. That aha moment happened a couple of times. When I was brainstorming with Mr. Coleman about [the project and solving a problem]. What is something I know how to do very well that I can [use to] create a business? I remember saying, ‘you love to bake.’ What is something you can bake? Essentially, you are feeding the students if they get hungry in the day, and I remember [thinking] Okay, cakepops! Is it really as simple as creating a sweet treat to solve this problem? So that was my first aha moment. And then being in the kitchen and baking and then selling off my first batch and [thinking] wow, this is really a business. Those are my top aha moments of Cakepopulis [becoming] an actual business.
Wharton Global Youth: From there, did you develop your own company logo and website?
Danielle: Of course. So, before I created Cakepopulis, I did make cakepops on the side, and I would sell them here and there. And I did sell them at a pop-up shop I had a couple months before Cakepopulis was a brand. But after completing the entrepreneurship course, it was during that course where I created a logo for Cakepopulis and worked on that brand, that logo that would be on my product. And then a while after that, I would say a couple months, is when I started working on my website, and what I would want to put on there, how did I want it to look – designing for my website.
Wharton Global Youth: How would you describe your brand?
Danielle: I would describe my brand as colorful. My logo has hot pink on it. So, whenever I’m representing Cakepopulis, or I’m going out to talk about my business, or going to different events, you’re often going to see me in some pink. I’m definitely going to have some pink on. I might have pink pants on. I might have a pink suit on…because I like pink. So definitely, pink is a large part of Cakepopulis’s brand, but just a lot of bright colors. And pink!
Wharton Global Youth: You’ve talked a lot about your customer service and what your clients want. Share some customer stories with us. Have you sold cakepops at events, birthday parties? What was it like to fulfill those orders? Tell us about the customer experience.
Danielle: I have catered events. A couple months back I catered an event in November. I have catered birthday parties, as well. And people, even regular customers, have told me that they’re not usually a fan of sweets, but my cakepops are a good balance — because of course it is a dessert it is a sweet treat — but it’s not an overpowering amount. So, it’s something they can consume one two or three, even though they’re not a fan of sugar, or they might be health conscious. I definitely take that into account when baking as well, to make sure that there’s a balance and it’s not overpowering. And people also talk about my great customer service. Before I created my website, I would have to communicate with my customers through email. And they told me [that I was] always replying to them in a timely manner. I’m respectful. And I’m just there to help them, any questions they have. They don’t feel like I’m dismissing them when I’m talking back to them. I will answer any and all of the questions that they have. Overall, they say it’s a great treat.
Wharton Global Youth: Do you have an example of one client you’ve worked with?
Danielle: I have worked with the mother of one of my good friends. She wanted me to cater her event. And she was the one who told me she’s not a fan of sweets, but tasting my cakepops, she realized it’s a sweet treat, but it’s really not so sugary; it’s not [cloying].
Wharton Global Youth: You mentioned your teacher before. And you’ve also mentioned NFTE. I’m wondering if you’ve had mentors along the way and how they’ve helped you?
Danielle: I definitely have mentors. In the school building, I would say, my business teacher, Linus Coleman, has helped me a lot and not just in cake-pop endeavors, but even in my personal endeavors, as well. [He] just keeps me motivated and is always there. If I want to bounce ideas off him or just need to talk, he’s there. I have NFTE mentors, as well. One of those mentors would be Victor Martinez. Just being able to work with Victor this past year or two has been a great experience. Even though he’s a very busy person, and even after I completed the NFTE Challenge, I still feel a part of NFTE. I’m able to talk to him and get his help on certain things. And even through the process of creating Cakepopulis, he’s been there as a helping hand.
Wharton Global Youth: The NFTE challenge. Was that a competition? And did you have to advance through different rounds of the competition?
Danielle: At the end of my entrepreneurship class, one of us got submitted into the NFTE Business Plan Challenge, which is where you had to present your business plan that you were working on throughout the course. My teachers selected me, and I competed in NFTE’s programs. You compete locally, then you move on to regionals, then you move on to nationals. I moved on through the different stages and I competed, and through these competitions, I was just able to meet all these amazing people, as well. I was able to show off Cakepopulis, as well as get feedback from business professionals in the business world who were working at these companies, [giving me] their feedback on how to make my business better and how to help make it more marketable. Recently, I competed in the national business challenge competition, as well. That was a great experience.
Wharton Global Youth: Was there one piece of advice that really stuck with you from the business professionals?
Danielle: One piece of advice that really stuck with me I would say is to be yourself — and that your company is a part of you; your company is a reflection of you. You should be proud of that. And you should want to show it off and, in a sense, brag about your company because in a way it’s an extension of you. When you’re marketing your product or your business to other business professionals or judges, just remember that it is a part of you, and show a little bit of personality when you’re doing it as well. They’re not just buying the business; they’re in a way buying you too. If they decide to work with you in the future, it’s not just your business, but it’s you as a person, as an individual.
Wharton Global Youth: That is a great segue into my next question, which is what value has Cakepopulis given to you these past couple of years? What have you learned and how have you grown?
Danielle: I’ve grown. I would say that Cakepopulis has [taught] me: don’t minimize an opportunity. I’m definitely a shy person. There are certain things that I shy away from or opportunities that I’m scared to grasp onto because I’m like, ‘Oh, it’s just gonna be this small thing. It’s not going to really do much for me.’ But even the small thing — like going through an entrepreneurship class and creating a business presentation, a business plan – [is valuable]. [Before this experience], I would never have known that, okay, it’s going to turn into this legitimate business and I’m going to be having all these different opportunities, like presenting my business plan to judges and competing for investment money, or even doing this podcast with you. I never would have known that. So, Cakepopulis and being on the journey of creating a business has taught me to never minimize an opportunity. And always try to grasp onto anything that you can. Also, never be afraid to get help. I want to suffer in silence sometimes because I don’t always like to talk to people. So, creating a business and being an entrepreneur has helped me to open myself up a little bit and ask for help, because there’s going be someone out there who has the potential and the ability and they want to help you. All you have to do is ask.
Wharton Global Youth: Will that innovative spirit be part of your life after high school? What’s next for you after you graduate?
Danielle: After high school, I would like to pursue a degree in business marketing, specifically product marketing, which came from this whole process of creating a business. I really just fell in love with the process. And that’s something that I’d like to do after completing my education. So, I would like to continue Cakepopulis, and I want it to grow. Recently, I have started not limiting myself to just people in my area, but I’ve started to ship products to customers all across the United States. I want to continue to expand. As I go through college and gain my degree, I would like to start expanding my customer base and start shipping to customers all over the United States, and really help Cakepopulis grow, because it does have that potential. I believe that after a couple years of working to expand my business, it can become something great. I’d like to see that happen in the future.
Wharton Global Youth: I would too. May Cakepopulis rule the world!
Let’s wrap up with our lightning round. Try to answer these questions as quickly as you can.
Other than cakepops, what is your favorite homemade baked treat?
Danielle: Ooh, my favorite homemade baked treat would be cupcakes. I love making cupcakes.
Wharton Global Youth: What is the most exotic food you have ever tried?
Danielle: Ooh, most exotic food. I don’t really try new things that often, but I would say the most exotic thing would probably be seaweed chips.
Wharton Global Youth: Something about you that would surprise us?
Danielle: Well, a lot of people don’t know this, but I’m a traveler. I love to travel. I love to see new places and do road trips and things like that. I’ve visited 26 Or probably 27 states in the United States.
Wharton Global Youth: In a few words, what does entrepreneurship mean to you?
Danielle: Creativity. It means innovation. It means grit. It means taking initiative.
Wharton Global Youth: A brand that you have long been devoted to or that you admire?
Danielle: Probably Oreo. I love Oreos. Their brand – yes.
Wharton Global Youth: Something you don’t yet know that you hope to learn?
Danielle: As I want to go into marketing, I want to learn more about SEO [Search Engine Optimization] marketing and Google Analytics.
Wharton Global Youth: What would you be caught binge-watching at midnight?
Danielle: Oh, I would be caught watching a medical show, like Chicago Med or Grey’s Anatomy.
Wharton Global Youth: If you could take one businessperson out to lunch, who would it be? And why?
Danielle: I would take out the CEO of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, J.D. LaRock. In the future, I want to create my own non-profit organization. I’d want to talk to him more about his motivations and why he did it and more importantly, how he did it as well.
Wharton Global Youth: Danielle, thank you for joining us on Future of the Business World.
Danielle: Thank you for having me.
Conversation Starters
How has Danielle’s entrepreneurship journey helped her to grow? What specifically has she learned about life and her own interests?
Have you developed a product like Danielle’s cakepops? Share your product development story in the comment section of this article.
What question would you ask Danielle if you could? Share it in the comment section and she just may answer you!
There is much to love about Cakepopulis, aside from its sweet, frosted treats and devotion to pink! Cakepopulis is unique, bold, and creative—an outcome achieved by confronting a problem with a seemingly simple solution. Furthermore, Danielle Buchanan’s entrepreneurial spirit is deeply engrained in her brand’s DNA, leading me to believe that the secret ingredient behind her cakepops’ deliciousness is the energy with which she grows her business. Without a doubt, it is a pleasure to learn about young entrepreneurs like Danielle, whose business stands at the crossroads of passion and innovation, demonstrating how small, sweet treats can be revolutionary.
For her dedication and influence in the food industry, Danielle reminds me of the young entrepreneur Noah Sheldon, who founded the nonprofit Inclusive Eats to fight hunger with culturally relevant foods. Just as Danielle masterfully maintains a balance of sweetness in her cakepops, Noah thoughtfully secures ingredients that speak to the preferences of distinct cultural groups. Whether such engagement is the product of passion or heritage, Danielle and Noah both understand the meaning of food as a core component of an individual’s identity. I imagine a future partnership between Cakepopulis and Inclusive Eats as an incredible way of supporting communities’ diversity—in both taste and background—through the power of entrepreneurship. With a personalized plate made of Inclusive Eats’ ingredients and a taste of Cakepopulis for dessert, the power of youth, creativity, and diversity can be experienced in just one meal. The future holds much in store for innovators like Danielle and Noah, and the outcome of their prospective paths certainly seems sweet! With deep passion, commitment, and awareness of the world, the future of business is in the more-than-capable hands of today’s youth.
For anyone interested, here is a link to further information about Noah Sheldon and Inclusive Eats: https://globalyouth.wharton.upenn.edu/articles/future-of-the-business-world-podcast/rice-beans-and-saffron-combating-hunger-while-celebrating-community-diversity/
Ina – Interesting points! I really enjoyed reading your eloquent and thoughtfully crafted response. In my response, I’d like to focus on a few points in your comment that stood out to me. You stated that Cakepopulis is “unique, bold, and creative.” I agree that a business’s brand plays a vital role in its success. The most popular and valuable brands, such as Apple and Amazon, have clear and consistent imagery. Both have convenient user interfaces that enable customers to focus on purchasing, instead of understanding the system controls. Danielle approaches her business in the same manner. According to the article, Danielle focuses a lot on her clients and what they want, whether that be sprinkles, bright colors, or toppings. She does lots of testing to assess the viability of her products. Finally, Cakepopulis is conscious of customers’ health and desires for low sugar treats.
It’s important to note that running a business is a complex cycle, a recipe in itself you could say. When business leaders – such as Danielle – put everything they’ve got into running their business, customers are able to detect their dedication and commitment. Seeing such energy motivates consumers to invest/purchase more in that particular company, which in turn fuels more innovation and development on part of the company’s founder. You alluded to this when you mentioned how Danielle’s entrepreneurial spirit is intertwined with Cakepopulis.
Funnily enough, I also read the article about Noah Sheldon a few weeks ago. Both Danielle and Noah’s companies arose from problems in their communities, whether that be food insecurity or inadequately fed children. Another similarity between these two entrepreneurs is that they were interested in pursuing research to strengthen and expand their business. Noah studied demographic and did a community food needs assessment. Likewise, Danielle is interested in learning more about Search Engine Optimization marketing and Google Analytics to develop Cakepopulis.
In short, I loved reading your response Ina and thank you for making that astute connection between Danielle and Noah.
Danielle- Thank you so much for sharing about yourself and Cakepopulis!
Being a teenager myself, hearing about how other young people are turning their passions into realities through entreprenuership is beyond inspiring to me and the Gen Z generation as a whole! I was really touched by the fact that this business stemmed from the classroom. If my school offered an NFTE entreprenuership class, I would certainly take it. I think classes like this should be a staple in every high school across America because, as we heard about through Danielle’s story, we as students can be provided with great self discovery about our interests, leadership skills, ability to channel our creative minds, problem solving, and so many more traits and gifts that students will be able to utilize beyond high school and college, weather they start their own business or choose a different career path.
I’d also like to add that Danielle’s mention about the support and guidance she recieved from her teacher displays the amazing gifts teachers can provide their students with. Mr. Coleman’s openess to hear what Danielle was striving to solve/achieve in her business, while also providing his advice and ideas helped me discover a greater idea of what I hope to achieve if I choose to become a teacher (which is one career I am considering).
Danielle’s entrepreneurial journey is truly inspiring! Her dedication to turning her passion for baking into a successful business shows how innovation and perseverance can create sweet success. It’s impressive how she’s not only mastered the art of making cakepops but also navigated through challenges to grow Cakepopulis into a brand with a colorful personality. Her story is a reminder that with creativity and determination, even a small idea can bloom into something remarkable.
I too have baked some cake pops for my non profit, and if I’m being honest, they are a struggle!
i truely admire danielle for her persistece and perceverence.
Through the development of Cakepopulis, Danielle Buchanan has learned valuable lessons about perseverance, customer service, and the importance of seizing opportunities. Her experiences have taught her not to minimize any opportunity, to seek help when needed, and to embrace the repetitive process of product development. Like Danielle, I have also discovered a passion for business marketing and product marketing, which I plan to pursue in college and beyond. And in terms of interests, like Danielle, I have found joy in the creative process of baking, but I haven’t tried product development like she has. She enjoys experimenting with different methods and flavors to perfect her cakepops, demonstrating her commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Additionally, her involvement in the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) and various competitions has provided her with valuable feedback from business professionals, further shaping her entrepreneurial skills and aspirations. Her work truly inspires me and makes me appreciate her strength to turn her passion into a career. This really makes me think about the endless opportunities I could’ve grabbed from my school to turn my passions into something bigger. As a teenager myself, I’m definitely looking up to Danielle as a role model, and reading this article has given me motivation to start initiating for my future in business marketing.
I do have some questions for Danielle that’s geared towards business: as you look to expand Cakepopulis and reach a broader customer base, what specific strategies do you plan to implement in terms of marketing, product development, and distribution? Additionally, how do you envision leveraging digital tools and platforms to enhance your brand’s visibility and customer engagement?
Thank you Danielle, for sharing your journey!! I’m sure it’s gonna inspire so many others like me, who wants to go into marketing. Your persistence and perseverance is what truly touched my heart, and I’m sure, many others too.
I implore everyone to seize every opportunity they can learn from. As US entrepreneur Seth Godin once said, “The only thing worse than starting something and failing…is not starting something.”
I could feel myself falling in love with business all over again after listening to Danielle share her passion for entrepreneurship and baking. There are endless possibilities in business, especially regarding creative pursuits.
Danielle shares the meaningful idea that your work is an extension of yourself. Furthermore, I believe working towards your passion not only grows and strengthens your business, but your spirit and sense of identity. Like Danielle, I am so proud of the impact I was able to make in my community. By conducting research to improve retention of employees at a local business, I became a catalyst for change. The business implemented the plan I developed and saw real improvements in the productivity and satisfaction of the employees. I was able to accomplish and learn things I never thought I was capable of through this process. This thrill continues to motivate me as I pursue my own passions in business and entrepreneurship.
Taking risks and getting outside of your comfort zone are a part of what makes entrepreneurship so rewarding. Danielle was able to step outside of her comfort zone and ask for help, and this allowed her to expand Cakepopulis. She took initiative and learned that with a little help, she can do anything she sets her mind to.
Wharton Deputy Dean Michael Gibbons once said something I believe heavily applies to entrepreneurship. “Perhaps there is no road, as Doc Brown says in Back to the Future. Perhaps you’re the pioneer…It’s likely that it works out, but not necessarily exactly as planned, but that’s the thrill of blazing the path.”
Are you willing to take risks to follow your passion? Accepting a single opportunity can take you on the most rewarding journey of your life.
Hi Danielle! After listening to your podcast “Cakepop Wisdom: ‘Your Business Is a Reflection of You’,” I couldn’t resist writing a comment and review. I love the enthusiasm about “Cakepopulis,” and as a teenager myself, hearing about people like you who turn their passion into reality is truly inspiring. Your business is really “a reflection of you.”
I love how Cakepopulis started from Danielle’s classroom and personal baking hobbies. The way her shop blends creative baking with business smarts is amazing. What began as a simple love for making cake pops has grown into a thriving business. Danielle’s shop’s pink theme and joyful atmosphere really stands out. It reflects her vibrant personality perfectly. Her love for pink, the joy she brings to her business, and the way Cakepopulis is full of confetti, sprinkles, and so much pinkness shows just how much of her is in her business. It’s like when people say people’s hobbies, pets, and “babies” reflects who they are, and she’s made that a reality. I also love the unique touch of including motivational messages with each cake pop. This small but powerful gesture not only spreads joy but also reinforces the positive impact a business can have on its community. It’s a reminder that even small businesses can make a big difference.
Looking ahead, Danielle’s hope to expand Cakepopulis and continue spreading positivity, while exploring ventures that align with her values, really is inspiring. As a teenager who is also shy like Danielle and interested in a successful business-related future, I feel connected to her story. It makes me think about how I can integrate my personal values into a future business. I’ve always been passionate about arts and entrepreneurship, and her journey gives me hope that I can combine these passions into something meaningful.
After reading about her journey, I’m inspired to start a similar club at my school in New York, since we don’t have a NFTE entrepreneurship class. I might just bring cake pops as a special treat for club members! Alongside entrepreneurship, I’ve always loved art too—her journey gives me hope that I can combine these passions into something meaningful, and I think it would be a great way to bring people together and create a sense of community.
Many people lose their hobbies as they transition into adulthood and their careers. I have seen countless artists talk about experiencing “art block,” where they feel drained and lack the motivation to create art they once loved. Often, people interested in art cannot pursue it because it doesn’t offer enough pay to live comfortably. As Danielle mentioned, finding the right balance involves a lot of trial and error, and she emphasized the importance of experimentation. She thinks of her business as a way to solve a problem in her community, so I hope one day I can also help those who have lost or given up their beloved hobbies due to financial constraints, showing them how to earn a living while still enjoying their passions.
My idea is to start a club that combines arts and business, where students can explore their creative and artistic interests while learning about entrepreneurship at the same time. Of course, “arts” encompass a wide range of activities, such as drawing, singing, acting, and more. We could have workshops on baking, crafting, and designing, and then discuss how to turn these hobbies into potential business ventures. Since clubs and majors play a pretty significant role at my high school, I believe this idea could be both large and enjoyable. Students in business or art related majors could join, having fun while learning about leading a successful and fulfilling business life, all while still engaging with their favorite hobbies. As someone majoring in finance, with drawing and music as my favorite hobbies, this sounds like the dream club for me!
Thank you for sharing this uplifting episode—it’s full of great insights for anyone looking to start their own business. I’ve only tried cake pops once when I was younger, so one day, I would love to try a cake pop from Cakepopulis, especially the strawberry-flavored ones photographed in the transcript. They look so colorful, pink, and delicious! Congratulations, Danielle! Good luck to you and your business!
As I scrolled through the catalog with all these inspiring articles, one title caught my attention: “Cakepop Wisdom: ‘Your Business is a Reflection of You.’ As I began reading the interview with Cakepopulis founder, Danielle Buchanan, I became more intrigued as I began reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned from my own very different entrepreneurial journey last summer.
Danielle mentions that she began her business, Cakepopulis, to solve a problem that she noticed in her community. In a world with so many problems, I believe that it is critical to help others and find solutions to these issues. Last year, I started working with an NGO, Children’s Medical Foundation (Hong Kong), to allocate medical resources to neonatal hospitals in rural China. Over the summer, I attended an entrepreneurship program at Columbia and had the opportunity to pitch my own start-up. Learning about the limited resources for neonatal healthcare in rural China, I was determined to work with the foundation to figure out a solution to this issue. Hence, I focused my start-up project on allocating resources and materials to rural hospitals in China.
In the process, I sent over 200 emails to busy physicians, not expecting any replies. To my surprise, over thirty of them responded, and I had the opportunity to call and interview ten of them. This next step of was critical: dialogue with the on-the-ground caregivers helped me to better understand their challenges and how I might address them. All the physicians shared valuable insights and advices. One in particular shared a cheaper alternative to an ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) machine that could be made with more readily-accessible resources. Moreover, this experience taught me that mentorship is crucial when getting an idea off the ground. I had the germ of the idea, but I needed the wisdom and guidance from others to cultivate it; For Danielle, she had her supportive business teacher; for me, it was networking and learning from these physicians.
Even though I haven’t yet launched a business like Danielle, I can relate to some of her experience. For starters, both of us initiated our entrepreneurship journey as the first step to creating a service to fulfill a need in one’s community. I grew up in a family that highly values giving back to the community. Instead of basing my first entrepreneurship project on a specific product, I decided to find a solution to a problem in my community. Next, I can affirm that as a shy, introverted person, reaching out to others and learning more about the problem at hand doesn’t come naturally and often feels awkward, but stepping out of my comfort zone, and reaching out to all these physicians has taught me an invaluable lesson about the importance of networking. As I look forward to the next phase of my project this summer, I will certainly carry with me some of Danielle’s advice and try to translate it into my project by taking inspiration from Danielle and Cakepopulis.
This article reminds me of the importance of passion, perseverance, and community in achieving entrepreneurial success, and it encourages me to continue pursuing my business goals with the same level of dedication. This article, “Cakepop Wisdom: ‘Your Business Is a Reflection of You’,” has inspired me to turn my passions into a way of giving back to the community. Although I definitely lack talent in baking (I can mess up pre-made cake mix), I’ve been doing competitive swimming most of my life and it’s truly something I enjoy. So, to give everyone the same opportunities I have, I started a nonprofit that teaches children how to swim. However, it would’ve helped so much if my school had an NFTE entrepreneurship class or if I had someone to guide me through the process. I think classes like these should be an option at more schools since they could guide students to market their talents.
“Your business is a reflection of you” Danielle’s story highlights her passion for baking, rooted in family tradition, which she transformed into a business. Similarly, my venture into origami boat sales was driven by my love for creativity and making something unique, much like Danielle’s specialized approach to cake pops.
Listening to Danielle Buchanan’s story about founding Cakepopulis on the Wharton Global Youth Program’s podcast reminded me of my early entrepreneurial ventures. Just as Danielle’s cake pops were born out of a love for baking and a desire to solve a problem in her school community, my first experiences selling homemade products began as a creative way to share the things I loved with others.
In second grade, I started my entrepreneurial journey by selling glitter-covered paper boats made from the pages of a Shopkins coloring book. They were colorful, unique, and to my young mind, a small piece of art that I was proud to share with my classmates. Despite the excitement and initial success, my teacher’s disapproval quickly taught me a hard lesson about rules and expectations. She insisted I return the money, suggesting that selling my creations was akin to stealing from my classmates. However, I didn’t let this setback halt my entrepreneurial spirit. Instead, I pivoted to selling my glittery boats in my neighborhood, finding a new market for my creations.
Later, it all started with slime. Slime-making was a magical part of my childhood. I loved experimenting with different colors and types of glitter, creating all sorts of gooey, sparkly concoctions. My first batches of slime were just for fun, but as I grew more skilled, I realized I could share my creations with others.
I began selling my slime around my neighborhood. I’d go door to door, visiting houses where I thought kids lived, showing off my colorful slimes. Soon, I had a little customer base. Girls loved the glittery ones, while some boys preferred the red slime. I sold them for anywhere from 75 cents to $5, depending on the size and the type of glitter.
My ventures grew more sophisticated I also started selling bubblegum rolls for $2 each, unicorn keychains, and mini emoji bags. It was a funny assortment, but it worked because they were all things I adored. The items I sold were brand new, sourced from a variety store where my mom helped me buy stock. These products reflected my childhood interests and creativity, much like how Danielle’s cake pops reflect her passion for baking and her family’s influence. I expanded my slime-making business, experimenting with different types of glitter and colors, and even involved my family in scaling up my operations. I remember the thrill of earning $40 in my first week and the sense of accomplishment that came from knowing I was running a successful small business.
In both Danielle’s and my stories, the entrepreneurial spirit is nurtured by early experiences, creative problem-solving, and family influence. Danielle’s Cakepopulis was born from her love of baking and a class project that encouraged solving community problems. Similarly, my early ventures were driven by my love for creating and sharing fun, handmade products. Both journeys highlight the importance of recognizing and embracing opportunities, even at a young age.
One crucial message from these experiences is the value of perseverance and adaptability in entrepreneurship. Successful entrepreneurs find ways to pivot and adapt when faced with challenges, whether it’s a teacher’s disapproval or the need to refine a product. Danielle refined her cake pop-making process through trial and error, while I found new markets for my products and expanded my offerings based on customer interest and demand.
Moreover, both stories underscore the significance of support and mentorship. Danielle had the guidance of her teacher and NFTE mentors, while I had the encouragement of my family, who recognized and supported my entrepreneurial spirit. This support is essential in building confidence and providing the resources needed to grow a business, whether it’s buying more supplies or offering valuable advice.
My mom often told me I had an “entrepreneurial spirit,” a trait she said ran in our family. My aunt sold clothes, and my great-grandmother owned a convenience store in Santa Tecla, a small city in El Salvador. It felt like I was continuing a family tradition.
My childhood ventures in selling paper boats, slime, and other fun products resonate with Danielle Buchanan’s story of creating Cakepopulis. Both experiences highlight the importance of creativity, resilience, and support in entrepreneurship. They remind us that the entrepreneurial spirit can begin at any age and with any idea and that nurturing this spirit through challenges and growth can lead to exciting and fulfilling ventures. Just as Danielle plans to continue expanding her cake pop business while pursuing her education, I hope to carry forward the lessons and spirit of my early ventures into future entrepreneurial endeavors.
As I read through news articles, I found people enhancing the life qualities of others and positively influencing our society. For example, a person from Yeonsae University in South Korea created a self-improvement app called Dreamfora, enabling users to plan and check their progress toward their goals/dreams. Another instance that inspired me to contribute to my community was a student at Harvard University who contributed heavily to revising the distorted history of Korea in the history textbook. Both of these examples triggered my desire to improve the world around me. I realized I needed ideas that were not too easy to carry out but could influence others intensely and on a big scale.
However, other than these profound contributions, utilizing this cake pop idea to help one’s community was mind-boggling. A cake pop is a simple yet attractive product, and I am impressed by how much impact the cake pops have on many individuals in the community. By doing what she is skillful at and passionate about, Danielle launched her own business, Cakepopulis, and motivated me to do the same. “How can I pair something that I’m great at—a skill that I know I can do very well—with the problem that I face in my community?” was the question that Danielle contemplated and was able to get her idea to create Cakepopulis. As a student, I am struggling to find what I am genuinely passionate about, what kinds of potential I have, and what I truly love. As Danielle mentioned, your business is a reflection of you; I aspire to create a business that defines me as someone dedicated to contributing to this world by doing what I love to do.
I’m a coder. I’ve been creating apps from games to news that my family and friends can enjoy. While thinking of what I could do for my community, I realized that my community needs a quicker repair system for refrigerators and air conditioners in this scorching weather under the influence of climate change. Nowadays, especially in summer, if a fridge or an air conditioner breaks, it takes at least over two weeks to make an appointment for a technician to visit. These days, one cannot live without refrigerators. Then, I thought of creating an app for people to locate professional technicians as quickly as possible and arrange the repair. I could include the list of nearby refrigerator repair centers and allow people to schedule the repair reservation as early as possible. I started working on making this app convenient for people. Start-ups with good intentions will change the world by influencing people to start businesses based on unity, collaboration, and humanity, not solely on making money.