From cupcakes to confidence: Candace Nelson inspires Oklahoma Girl Scouts

Her cupcakes have been endorsed by some of the biggest names in Hollywood and landed her on some of the world’s biggest shows. On Thursday, she was in Oklahoma City inspiring some young Oklahoma ladies.

“It was in that moment that I thought, the cupcake could really use a makeover,” said Sprinkles Cupcake founder Candace Nelson.

An investment banker by trade, Candace Nelson and her husband Charles started Sprinkles Cupcakes, the world’s first cupcake bakery in 2005.

“When I lost my job in the dot com bust, I decided to follow my joy, go to pastry school, and the rest is history,” said Nelson.

Despite the naysayers, the Los Angeles-based business was an immediate success, receiving tons of celebrity endorsements.

“I mean it was crazy to think that Tom Cruise, Oprah Winfrey, Katie Holmes, Drew Barrymore, Michael Strahan, all of these people were talking about my little cupcakes,” said Nelson.

The success landed her into the national spotlight with appearances on the top television shows, even as a guest investor on the show "Shark Tank."

“I didn’t get any street cred until I got on Shark Tank, then they were like, 'Aw Mom, that’s cool,'” said Nelson.

Through all the success, Candace has been passionate about inspiring women. She brought her message to Oklahoma City to speak with Girl Scouts.

“You really have to develop that resilience, that conviction, and that confidence in yourself, so that you can go out and get after your dreams,” said Nelson. 

“I get to ask her all these wonderful questions and get advice, not just me, but for all the younger and older girls in Girl Scouts, on how we can grow up to be like her,” said 16-year-old Girl Scout Sierra Karl.

“It’s about the action you take day-by-day,” said Nelson.

The young ladies then put their motivation into action selling of course Girl Scout cookies.

“You picked yourself up, you stayed resilient and that’s what the Girl Scouts teaches, and I think it is just so beautiful, and I wish I had had that,” said Nelson.