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Queen of treats: Cake ‘n Crumbs founder Lori Sprenger
By Anne Timmerman
Posted: May 1, 2005
5/1/2005
 Lori
Sprenger of Mequon is a “cool treats” mom. Her cookies-on-a-stick
are legendary. Her chocolate covered pretzels divine.
And unlike some “cool treats” moms, she’s willing to share her secrets.
In fact, she’s more than willing. As the founder and president of Cake
‘n Crumbs, she’s spent the last 10 years helping other moms produce
beautiful, tasty treats — in the comfort of their own homes — with their
kids.
“One of our company goals is to help families reconnect by spending ‘fun time’ together in the kitchen,” says Sprenger. “Great memories are made when parents and children get together to do something creative, and it’s very fulfilling for our instructors to be a part of that process.”
Now numbering about 30, Cake ‘n Crumbs instructors
visit your home (á la Tupperware), teaching creative
ways to serve up cookies, cakes and chocolates. Most
popular are the hands-on Mommy and Me classes, which
make for great bonding between parents and children.
Sprenger worked her last day as a registered nurse this year on April
1, a career that she will miss — if she has the time. Of late, she’s racked
up a rock star’s share of frequent flier miles, giving trade show presentations
across the United States. Some time this year, Cake ‘n Crumbs
is likely to go nationwide, which should keep Sprenger plenty busy. metroparent
caught up with her recently and here’s what she had to say about being
the mother of two boys, a successful entrepreneur and
the queen of cool treats.
What made you start Cake ‘n Crumbs?
I wanted desperately to know how to make a nice decorated cake for my
son Christopher’s 3rd birthday, so I took a cake decorating class.
(I ended up making a 16-inch round cake that looked like an Indian camp
— with teepees made of sugar cones and a campfire in the middle with fruit-roll-up
flames.) I’m glad I took the class, because I learned how to use a pastry
bag for frosting, but it was expensive and it took a couple hours a week
that I didn’t have. Plus, I had to buy my own supplies and prepare the
frosting in advance. It ended up being a big hassle.
I knew that there were a lot of other moms out there who were interested
in cake decorating, too, so I started doing workshops.
Now we offer more than 30 classes in everything from cookie glazing
and painting to hard candy molding and chocolate-covered
popcorn.
How did you find the time to start a business when you were already busy as a nurse and a mother of two?
The idea was too much fun for me to ignore. I used whatever time I had. Maybe I did less pleasure reading, but I found that I could get a lot done while the boys were napping.
I think that moms need to take time for themselves and just be creative. A lot of us get wrapped up in everyone else’s needs, and so our own interests get scheduled last — which doesn’t leave a lot of time. It’s important to make your interests a priority, or you’re going to feel as though you’re lacking something.
How does the business affect your family life?
I have two sons, Christopher who’s 14 and Conner who’s 10. They’ve been my biggest support through the years, and they’re into the business themselves. They help me fill orders. They’re pretty willing helpers.
I’ve had conversations with them about me being busy. You know, ‘Should I be doing this?’ And they’re right behind me, encouraging me. I count on them to keep me grounded, because I’m a mom before everything else.
What was it like going from registered nurse to an independent business owner?
I’ve worked as a nurse for 22 years. When I told my mom I was starting
Cake ‘n Crumbs she was like, ‘What are you thinking?’
because I love my nursing job. I’m going to try and keep my foot in the
door, but the business is growing and there’s not enough time for me to
do both.
Luckily, the transition has been very smooth. I have been both a teacher and a salesperson in my nursing career, so in those ways it’s been a bridge into this new venture.
I think that everyone has a fear of the unknown, so starting your own business can seem very intimidating. But if you’re excited about what you’re doing and can turn that fear into creative energy, that’s half the battle. You can’t let the fear stop you, you have to move beyond it.
What are your most kid-friendly classes?
Our classes are all hands-on, so kids enjoy them. I recommend the Cookies-on-a-Stick,
Chocolate Suckers or Baked Donuts classes.
The kids get to be creative, and they can try some of the more fun decorations
like edible-ink magic markers, and animal and glitter sprinkles.
My sons like Cookies-on-a-Stick the best.
What do you most enjoy about your business?
The people that I meet. I have been introduced to some of the most creative, fabulous people who have either found me through the Internet or other contacts I’ve made. When you get together with them, the ideas just pour out. A lot of the best ideas have come from my instructors.
This company is definitely driven by a higher power. It ain’t just me doing this. People love the concept because it’s fun, fresh and new. I could have sold the idea, but that’s not why I created the business in the first place. It’s something I enjoy doing. The people you connect with are what make the difference. Even on a bad day, you leave feeling good about what you did.
What’s the newest thing in the works at Cake ‘n Crumbs?
Sugar-free chocolate. We’re starting to develop low carbohydrate
and sugar-free treat classes for people that have sugar restrictions.
(This is a little of the nurse in me rubbing off.) There are a lot of
children who are diabetic or have food allergies, so I’m actively looking
for candies they can make and enjoy.
We also have classes for people who don’t like baking.
Our instructors can teach you to make great tasting treats
without even turning on the oven.
What’s your favorite Cake ‘n Crumbs dessert?
Anything chocolate. Our chocolate is candy store quality, melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
To find out more about becoming a Cake ‘n Crumbs instructor, or to
host an at-home party, visit cakencrumbs.com or call
(262) 241-5220.
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