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Why It’s Hard to Get Startup Funding Now—and What to Do About It

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How to Take Your Start-Up Seriously but Not Personally

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Here’s what I didn’t understand BEFORE buildin

Here’s what I didn’t understand BEFORE building my businesses 👇🏻

Let me take you back to before I built @sprinklescupcakes, @pizzana, wrote my bestselling book, or appeared on Cupcake Wars, Sugar Rush, and @sharktankabc.

Back when I was desperate to climb the corporate ladder...

At that time, my goals weren’t *really* mine. 😳

They were shaped by the opinions of others, society’s standards, and the heavy weight of expectations I thought I had to meet. Instead of pursuing my passions and chasing my dreams, I secured a prestigious job at a top investment bank. 💼

Now, don’t get me wrong—I could have stayed in that position and been very comfortable.

But when layoffs hit and I was forced out of that life, I realized something: I wanted to start living for ME, not for others. 💫

When I pivoted from banking to baking, I let go of chasing a life that looked good on the outside and started creating one that felt right to ME.

To find true fulfillment, I had to redefine success on MY terms.

So, if you’re at a crossroads, wondering why you’re not fulfilled even though you’re checking all the boxes you thought you wanted...

...Remember, fulfillment comes from building a life that’s true to YOU. 🩵

#mevsme #selfimprovement #womenentrepreneurship #entrepreneurmotivation #businessmotivation #passionpreneur #motivationalspeaker #candacenelson

How cute 🥰 If only that were a *serious* busine

How cute 🥰 If only that were a *serious* business...

Here’s a story for you 👇🏻

When I was looking for a space at the start of Sprinkles Cupcakes, the landlord didn’t want to lease it to me because he didn’t think a cupcake bakery was a “serious” enough business. 🙄

My business idea was called “silly” and “little” more times than I can count. 🧁

The multi-million dollar business I built was often compared to kids’ bake sales and at-home hobbies in conversation. 😅

So, if you’ve experienced being underestimated...

Here’s your sign to keep going with your “cute little business” - it may just be a million-dollar idea! 💪🏻👏🏻❤️

#womeninmalefields #womenentrepreneurs #womenentrepreneurship #candacenelson #sprinkles #sprinklescupcakes #businesswomanlife

Ladies, let’s talk about self-doubt in business.

Ladies, let’s talk about self-doubt in business.

When you’re learning anything new—coding, yoga, or even baking a soufflé—you don’t expect to nail it on day one. (If you do land a headstand or perfect soufflé your first try, congrats! 😂 But let’s be honest, that’s not most of us.)

So why do we expect to feel 100% confident in business from day one? When we stumble, feel out of place, or hit moments of doubt, we assume we’re not cut out for it—or worse, that everyone else has it all figured out.

Here’s the truth: **self-confidence is a skill, just like any other.** It takes practice, grace, and patience to build. 💪🏻

So give yourself some credit, keep showing up, and trust that every step is part of your growth.

What’s been your biggest mindset breakthrough in business? I’d love to hear it!

#businessmindset #entrepreneurmindset #candacenelson #impostersyndrome #womeninbusiness #mindset #femaleentrepreneurs #womenentrepreneurship #businessmindsetforwomen

A Black Friday deal on a @sharktankabc-approved ho

A Black Friday deal on a @sharktankabc-approved holiday gift! 👀🎁🪥

Who remembers my Shark Tank investment, @goflaus?

I invested in Flaus because, as a mom, I know how hard it is to get kids excited about flossing—but let’s be real, it’s a struggle for all of us. Flaus is a safe, effective electric flosser that makes flossing effortless and fun. 🪄🦷

Click the link in my bio to snag a deal on Flaus for your holiday gift list!

Would you gift this electric flosser? Let me know! @goflaus

#blackfridaydeals #blackfriday2024 #flaus #sharktank #sharktankabc #abcsharktank #candacenelson #flosser #giftlist

What an unforgettable experience keynoting the 43r

What an unforgettable experience keynoting the 43rd season of the SMU Tate Lecture Series! ✨

This renowned series brings together entrepreneurs, faculty, and students for engaging conversations that spark ideas, challenge perspectives, and inspire action.

I was thrilled to take the stage and deliver a keynote speech about the Power of Asking “What If?”. 🎤

I also had the opportunity to sit down with a crowd of high school and SMU students for a Q&A session. (Shoutout to student moderator @pareenishah!)

It was an honor to be part of such a storied program and to engage with the bright minds of SMU!

Thank you to the entire SMU team for an incredible day! @smudallas @smutate @sf_smu

(Keynote outfit details linked in bio and at shopmy.us/collections/1021841)

#smutatelectureseries #smu #entrepreneurship #publicspeaker #keynotespeaker #keynotespeakers

Somebody doesn’t know how to relax! 😂 I made

Somebody doesn’t know how to relax! 😂

I made my dream come true with Sprinkles Cupcakes...

What started as an idea for the first-ever all-cupcake bakery turned into a phenomenon. We grew to 40 locations nationwide, expanded to the Sprinkles ATM, and sold over 75 million cupcakes! 😳🧁

Eight years after building Sprinkles Cupcakes, I made the decision to sell Sprinkles to a private equity firm.

I wanted to explore new passions and embark on new challenges!

So, rather than selling and sailing off into the sunset, I...

👉🏻 Created Pizzana - a neo-Neapolitan pizza concept that now has 7 locations!
👉🏻 Wrote Sweet Success, a bestselling book and guide to entrepreneurship.
👉🏻 Focused on investing in other businesses through CN2 Ventures, the venture studio my husband and I built
👉🏻 Became a Guest Shark on Shark Tank and invested in more amazing businesses
👉🏻 Started public speaking on stages across the country to inspire new entrepreneurs

and more to come!

Turns out, some people just don’t know how to relax. 🤷🏼‍♀️ (Or they really love what they do!)

#entrepreneurlife #womenentrepreneurs #businessownerlife #entrepreneurshipmindset #candacenelson #sprinkles #sprinklescupcakes #pizzana #sharktank #sharktankabc #founderlife

Wow... Shine Away 2024 BLEW ME AWAY! ✨🌞 @ree

Wow... Shine Away 2024 BLEW ME AWAY! ✨🌞

@reesewitherspoon is endlessly inspiring. She lives out her mission of celebrating, empowering, and connecting women with everything she does. At this year’s #ShineAway Reese and her incredible team @hellosunshine led a jam packed two days of panels, workshops, and eye-opening conversations with other motivated women.

I was honored to be a featured speaker in the panel: Activating Your Entrepreneurial Superpowers. We talked about turning your passions into thriving businesses, finding your champions and mentors and not being afraid to fail.

Some other highlights from #ShineAway2024...

☀️ Wearing my @sneex which made me feel invincible and comfortable all day long! @sarablakely - you are a GENIUS 🧠👠

☀️ Sharing the stage with women I admire: @juliaboorstin @cassandrathurswell @mykitsch @cuyana

☀️ My friends @haneyofficial and @drthais of @oviihealth panel on women’s health with incredible stories of strength by those affected by breast cancer theo

The best part about my career is the moments like this - gathering together with other women who have are striving to be their best selves, and lifting each other up in the process.

For all the women out there with big dreams pursuing their passions - keep shining! 💛

#shineaway #reesewitherspoon #candacenelson #womennetworking #womenownedsmallbusiness #femaleentrepreneurship #businessspeaker

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