In the Kitchen with Allie Spann
Tell us about yourself and how you developed your passion for baking.
Hi, I’m Allie! I’m a wife of almost 13 years to my husband Levi and mama to to 4 amazing kiddos. I am finishing up my 7th year homeschooling and I like to call myself a “serial entrepreneur” While I’ve always had a creative passion for baking, I dove into several business ventures prior to finally turning my life’s passion into a thriving bakery business. Growing up I loved baking my grandpa's "famous" butter cookies and served them to my family every chance I got. I also never passed up an opportunity to make chocolate chip cookies with my dad! Over the years I watched my mom bake and decorate mine and my siblings birthday cakes each year, and when my first child was born in 2012 I wanted to keep that tradition alive. I took a few baking classes, and in no time I was not only baking my children's birthday cakes, but was also receiving requests to bake cupcakes for birthday's, baby showers, engagement parties, bridal showers and more. After several entrepreneurial attempts in various fields, I knew it was time to officially begin a business doing what I had already been doing all along... baking cupcakes. The Iowa Cupcakery was born!
What inspired you to start the Iowa Cupcakery?
I had been encouraged to start a cupcake business by my friends, family and church family for a long time before I officially felt called by God in July of 2022 to jump out in faith and start offering my cupcakes to my community.
What has been the most rewarding thing about running your own cupcake business?
The most rewarding part of running my own cupcake business has been the people it has connected me to. Whether it’s my local clients who come back again and again and tell me my cupcakes are “the best they’ve ever had” or getting to hear from my social media followers how my content has inspired and encouraged them. Getting to connect with people and sharing my passion for baking with them is THE BEST!
What about your approach is the key to overcoming people's perceptions (and skepticism) around what they can expect from GF baked goods?
My goal with my gluten-free menu has always been to create recipes that taste and look so good you would never know they are gluten-free!
What do you like most about Judee's products?
I absolutely love every Judee’s product I’ve ever tried. (Especially their sprinkles!) You can tell their ingredients are top-of-the-line quality, and the fact that I can purchase from a US based company that has committed to a gluten free AND nut free facility is so reassuring.
