This month’s interview feels like dessert heaven. When I opened our newest clutch and saw those perfectly embroidered sprinkles, I knew I had to send one to Rosie, founder of Sweetapolita. No one understands sprinkles—and the joyful world they represent—better than she does. Rosie curates the most colorful, playful sprinkle mixes, and we’ve been using and loving her products at the studio on projects like unicorn blondie sundaes and birthday cake soap. Her mixes are the real deal.
Rosie and I talked about how Sweetapolita began and how she turned a passion for sprinkles into a full-time business. She shared practical advice for anyone contemplating a career change, plus details about her favorite blush, the one time her style shifted dramatically, and when she baked her first cake from scratch. It’s a fun, candid chat—read on to learn more.
Let’s start with the basics—what are the must-have items you always carry in your purse?
It depends on the size of the bag, but some things are always with me: a small notebook and pen (I still write lists the old-fashioned way), emergency sprinkles for turning ordinary treats into something special, bubblemint gum, candy, at least one pair of earrings, tweezers, an eyelash brush, hair ties, hand cream, a stack of business cards, neutral lipstick, and blush. I tend to try blush in every brand and shade—I’m currently loving Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in “Pink Frosting” for its creamy texture and healthy glow.
What’s the most random thing you’ve ever found at the bottom of your purse?
Being a mom, entrepreneur, and vintage shopping enthusiast means my purse has held everything. The most random find was a cake topper with frosting and crumbs from my little one Reese’s birthday a few weeks earlier. I’ve also discovered Barbie clothes and bubble wands—life as #cakeletmama, I guess!
Have you always carried a purse? Do you remember your first one?
Yes—purses mattered to me from a very young age. My first “purse” was a white-and-pink vinyl Strawberry Shortcake pencil case I used when I was six; I filled it with flavored rollerball glosses, candy, and coins. My first official purse was a white floral embroidered cross-body with fringe that my parents bought me on a trip to Manitoulin Island. I felt so sophisticated.
Has your aesthetic changed since then? Has your personal style influenced your brand?
Aside from a brief mid-90s detour into darker, chunkier choices, my style has stayed girly, casual, and playful. I love vintage silhouettes and pastel colors—my wardrobe often looks confection-like. My personal aesthetic and baking style have always fed each other; the Sweetapolita world feels like a natural extension of who I am.
Tell us about Sweetapolita—how did it start and what do you do now?
Sweetapolita began with cake design and blogging in 2010, sharing recipes and dessert photography that eventually led to the Sweetapolita Bakebook. I’ve always been drawn to sprinkles and the happiness they bring, and in 2015 I launched sprinkle medleys—unique mixes that created a new category in baking. Today I still bake and share recipes when I can, but most of my time is spent running the online shop and working with a team to create, package, and ship sprinkle medleys and premium cake decorations worldwide. Working with thousands of pounds of sprinkles every day is delightfully rewarding.
How did you originally get into baking?
I baked as a child alongside my mom, experimenting from her well-used Five Roses Cookbook. Surprisingly, I didn’t make my first cake from scratch until my early 30s. After that I dove into baking and cake design courses and fell hard for it. That intense, later-in-life start shows it’s never too late to pursue a new passion.
What led you to open a sprinkle shop in addition to your blog?
It grew organically while I was developing recipes and styling photos for my cookbook. I started mixing sprinkle components into medleys for photo shoots and created a cake using one of those mixes that readers kept asking about. As someone with a product-creation mindset, I launched a small Etsy shop and then expanded to the Sweetapolita shop. Our collection grew from there, and I approach every product with love and attention to detail because I know our customers care about baking and sprinkles as much as we do.
What advice do you have for someone wanting to shift careers?
I live by one phrase that changed everything for me: “If your dream job doesn’t exist, you must create it.” I didn’t foresee this career in my 20s and early 30s, but by combining experience, curiosity, and persistence I created work that fulfills me. Major career changes are possible at any stage of life and can unite your skills with what genuinely lights you up.
Photos by Rosie Alyea
Many thanks to Rosie for sharing her story. If you’re craving something sweet, now’s the perfect time to bake. Follow Rosie and Sweetapolita on Instagram to see her latest creations and keep an eye out for any special giveaways. If you want to reserve a spot for next month’s clutch reveal, sign up for the waitlist to be the first to know.