Cupcakes, cupcakes I love a cupcake especially when they are dressed with a couture wrapper! I mean who wouldnt right?! Our vendor this monday is an incredibly inspiring story of how when we do what we love the rest falls into place! Get ready to crave a cupcake!
Meet Carrie!
Carrie Middlemiss, owner of Bella Cupcake Couture
Hi Carrie! I’m in LOVE with your couture cupcakes! Let’s start with how did you know you wanted to go into the cupcake industry?
I felt a strong passion to help people who loved to bake and wanted to be the best hostess they can be. Once I got started thinking how I could help to make the cupcake “fashionable” no matter if someone wanted to bake or buy a cupcake, I just kept on going!
Can you give us a little history of Bella Cupcake Couture?
Yes, I had worked at Washington Mutual for nearly 18 years before I realized my dream to created the most adorable little cupcake accoutrements. During my research of getting my business started and planning stages, I realized I would need to get started a lot quicker than thought…WaMu was being bought by Chase and nearly all of my team would be laid off. I quickly got it started and within a few months, Bella Cupcake Couture was created. We were starting to receive so many inquiries including big companies like Sur la Table. We also were recognized by Martha Stewart and I was given an award for “Martha Stewarts Doer of the Week”. It was very exciting! Now, each day, we enjoy receiving photos from all our clients and their notes of appreciation on how beautiful our Bella Cupcake Couture has made their special event. It really makes us happy to know how we are making their lives easier and more special just with a little touch of style for their cupcakes.
When you first had your idea for Bella Cupcake Couture, did you ever think your business would be as big as it has become?
You know I didn’t really think about it, I just followed my heart. Something deep inside just told me that people really want this in their lives. I have always been an event planner and enjoy making peoples day extra special and I realized there are a lot of “me’s” out there.
I was also pleased to find out how helpful it is to so many cupcake shops as well. Having a bakery is a lot of work and if we can help them to stand out and provide their clients that extra little something that makes the day that much more sweeter….we are so happy to do so.
I see on your website that you have had quite a bit of press! Congratulations! I also noticed you were invited to design a cupcake for Martha Stewart Magazine AND got to tour the studio!! (Most of my readers know that I ADORE Martha!) Please tell us about that experience!
Well I’ve had some amazing Martha moments- the first was when I got a call from the head of the “Martha Stewart Doers of the Week” site. She informed me that I had been nominated and selected. I was parked in front of the post office when I got the call. I almost jumped out of my skin. I called my husband a million times but he was in a private viewing where no cell phones were allowed. Then when I called my mom—I’ve never heard her scream so loud and excited.
Then probably a month later I got a call from a Martha Stewart magazine contact asking me to create a custom design for an upcoming photo shoot. That was an incredible experience.
Lastly, I was able to visit the Martha Stewart offices twice, once for a little tour and the last for a big wedding event where I was provided a booth to share with a NY Cupcake Shop called Tribeca Treats and we handed out her cupcakes with our Bella Cupcake Couture on them to the 800 wedding industry guests. Amazing!
I also see on your website that you can order online, and your wrappers are in stores all over the US, and you also offer custom designs, can you tell our readers how that process is handled?
When you visit our site you can place an order through our shopping cart or click on “Where to buy” to find a location near you. We also offer custom design which is very popular with cupcake shops and other businesses who want to create brand awareness in a unique and cute way!
Last little note- we love chatting with our fans and welcome you to visit us at
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bellacupcakecouture
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BellaCupcakeC
Blog: http://bellacupcakecouture.com/blog/
Thank you Carrie for visiting with us! We are so inspired by your story and products! We just may have to order some couture wrappers for our next photo shoot! Please Check out Bella Cupcake Couture’s website, blog, and facebook and let them know we sent ya!