Meet Maureen Wolsborn of Biceps by Buttercream in North City Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maureen Wolsborn.

Maureen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started baking as many people do, as a hobby and outlet for stress. I’ve always loved cooking and baking from an early age and throughout college. During graduate school (for which I received a Masters in Public Administration) I baked all the time as a way to focus my creative energy. And perhaps delay some of the nonstop reading that was required. Feeling adrift like many do after receiving a secondary degree, I found purpose and meaning in baking. Job hunting was grueling and often demoralizing but baking always seemed to give me purpose and a sense of accomplishment. After landing a full-time job with Denver Public Schools, I slowly started baking orders for friends — and getting paid for it. A former DPS colleague encouraged me to start a business on Instagram. So, with that push, I launched Biceps by Buttercream. I posted cakes and treats I made out of my home kitchen. From there, my following grew. While I am now making multi-tier cakes for weddings, I am still working a full-time job in education communications and baking out of my home kitchen.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Can someone please show me the road sign for that smooth road? I would love to know where it is! No, it was never smooth. I think like many people who start a “side hustle” balancing competing interests is always a challenge. My full-time job is very important to me and when I am there I am giving 100% but I would be lying if I said the stress of knowing I have unanswered business emails, a photo to post, or a huge cake to make that evening doesn’t weigh on me. It’s a constant and never-ending struggle and the biggest hurdle for me has been learning to say no. I’m the type of person who wants to do it all but what I have learned is that you cant do it all and do it well. This winter and spring I was training for the Boston Marathon.

A lifelong goal and achievement. With that comes sacrifices, going to bed early, eating right, time off your feat — all things that are not conducive to growing your own business. So, I had to make the choice — try to do it all and suffer or take a step back and focus on this short term goal. Fortunately, my boyfriend (a far more successful business owner) gave me great advice. He told me that just because I turn down orders so I can focus on a tough training week doesn’t mean people will never come back. And he was right. Sometimes we want to do it all and fear saying no means forever losing business but I know people will return because I was able to give them a high-quality product.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a baker and known for my cakes. My philosophy about cakes has always been simple: flavor before all else. I want my cakes to taste amazing and to convert those who say they have never liked cake in their life. I focus on using the best ingredients and methods — while making it look beautiful in the end. I am most proud of people telling me what I made them was delicious. And seeing kids eating their birthday cakes with their big chocolate covered smiles is up there as well!

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I wouldn’t say its luck but more circumstances have played a big role in this business. We often find solace in the activities or acts that we most enjoy. And for me, that is baking (and running). When I started this business I was going through a huge life transition and hit some pretty tough personal patches. This business was the net that caught me. I found purpose and drive during a time that my life seemed to be constantly being tipped upsidedown. Life is about taking the circumstances, good or bad, and running with it. While this period of time sucked, I now look back and see how it allowed me to pour my heart and soul into Biceps by Buttercream, giving it legs and its own identity.

Contact Info:

• Website: bicepsbybuttercream.com
• Phone: 503-312-2492
• Email: bicepsbybuttercream@gmail.com
• Instagram: @bicepsbybuttercream

Image Credit:
Keegan Slattery
Jill Markley Studios

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.