“So many people don't realize all the amazing services we now offer, and we are excited to tell them. We have been working really hard on rebuilding our business foundation and brand in a post-COVID era.”
Back in 2007, while running her small catering company, Figs Catering, Lori Schneider launched The Cupcake Bar - the nation's very first interactive cupcake bar catering service. It all began when she decided to include a "Cupcake Bar" station at one of their events. Watching people delight in customizing their cupcakes with an array of fun toppings, from gummy bears to pop rocks to sparkles, was a true lightbulb moment for her, and she fell in love with the concept. Prior to this venture, she graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology. After starting her professional career as Director of Research and Development for Schlotzsky’s headquarters in Austin, she received her Associate of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts from Le Cordon Bleu Austin. From there, she went to work for HEB headquarters in their restaurant group and started Figs Catering. This paved the way for the creation of The Cupcake Bar, and Lori hasn't looked back since!
Her entrepreneurial journey has been fueled by the unwavering support of her family and friends, and her own determination to take risks and pursue her dreams. She draws inspiration from the people in her life who believe in her and push her to be her best. “My husband and son remain very influential to me and inspire me to continue to grow in every aspect.” Even childhood memories, like watching the original Willy Wonka movie with Gene Wilder, have played a role in shaping her creative vision. The concept of a "Land of Imagination" from the movie sparked her passion to think outside the bakery box and create a concept that evokes nostalgia and pure joy, like being a kid in a candy store!
But it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbow sprinkles on the road to success. We asked Lori about the obstacles she's had to overcome while being a business owner, and she said, “This makes me laugh because being a business owner is all about obstacles and learning how to navigate them.” Some of the biggest of these have included a roof collapse at one of their locations and having to move out overnight, dealing with the impact of COVID-19, and adapting by creating new services to help the business survive during and after the pandemic. She joked that if she had realized this when she started her business, she might have chosen a different path. However, she also shared something her dad used to tell her growing up when she was struggling, usually with math: "if it was easy, everyone would be doing it."
That quote has become a sort of mantra for her in times of difficulty, and she says keeping it in mind helps her appreciate and celebrate the challenging aspects of the business, and reminds her that yes, the hard things can and should be done. "Doing hard things is a part of growth, and we should always be growing!" She told us that through these periods of growth and running her own business the most important thing she has learned is that your team is everything, and stressed the importance of having a cohesive team that understands and supports the same mission and core values of your company because if those do not align, it will be difficult to achieve the goals you want to accomplish with your company. She expressed gratitude for her dedicated team saying "I am beyond grateful for our incredible team who have been by my side for many years and truly embody the meaning of teamwork!"
Since the onset of COVID-19, The Cupcake Bar has undergone a significant transformation in their business model. In response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, they have diversified their offerings to include corporate gifting and both virtual and in-person classes. Previously, their focus was solely on in-person events featuring interactive dessert stations. However, when the lockdowns forced the closure of these events, they swiftly adapted by introducing corporate gifting and virtual classes. Lori's immediate goals are to establish and speak to who "The Cupcake Bar 2.0" will be to their customers. “I am so grateful that our clients trusted us to move into these new services that we now offer post-COVID.” They have dedicated extensive effort to the task of rebuilding the business foundation and brand during this post-COVID era. And it doesn't end there! They're not just dedicated to their customers, but also to promoting diversity and inclusion, and giving back to the community by supporting local nonprofit organizations. The Cupcake Bar is truly serving up something sweet for everyone!
Looking for a one-stop shop for event dessert catering, corporate gifting, and virtual classes? Look no further! Get your sugary fix and learn more about Lori and her team by visiting The Cupcake Bar’s website or their socials, like Instagram!
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