This week’s meet a mom interview is with Milford’s Adrianna Linkstrom (Robles), who owns and operates Good Morning Cupcake out of Milford, CT.
What drew you to your current vocation?
I began decorating cupcakes in high school as a way to help attract more students to my cheer squad and art club bake sales. I figured if the cupcakes looked like cute animals, we can sell more than just regular store bought ones. I bought the book “Hello Cupcake!” by Alan Richardson and Karen Tack and started to teach myself how to decorate cupcakes with house hold items (Oreos, marshmallows, jelly beans, etc.).
I’ve always have had some pretty crazy and vivid dreams when I sleep. One night when I was 18 years old, I had a dream that I walked up to a bake shop. On the windows, there was a bright goofy, smiling sun holding a cupcake. The door read Good Morning Cupcake across it. I opened the door and walked in. In that moment I woke up, sketched the image on a piece of paper and knew this was some how what I was supposed to accomplish in my life.
I attended Johnson and Wales University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Baking and Pastry Arts. I worked in a few different places throughout CT and NYC for six years until I landed a spot on a Food Network show (Girl Scout Cookie Championship: Episode 4) which gave me the confidence boost to finally take a leap of faith and open my store front.
I signed my lease March 1st of 2020 and then the world shut down two weeks later. I drove around and delivered sugar cookie decorating kits, mini cupcakes and scoop and bake cookie dough to cover the costs of rent while I couldn’t physically be open. Finally, the doors opened on May 30th and now the business is about to celebrate its 3rd anniversary.
What a beautiful dream you turned into reality! What’s next, what does the future have in store for you? Anything we should keep an eye out for?
I’m hopeful that one day I can expand and have a studio space within the bakery for bigger and better birthday parties, classes and events. Some other goals would be to add e-commerce to my website so I can ship all over the country and edible gifts that people can just click, buy and we ship.
Something that might be closer in the future is starting to make ice cream pints. I would love to open a sister business that sells ice cream. The time will eventually come but in the mean time, I’d like to start selling some pints out of GMC potentially at the end of this month. I’m here for requests!
That is so very exciting! How has being a mom helped you progress, personally or professionally?
My daughter is just about to turn five months. Balancing work and mom life has been a challenge but helps keep me on top of my organization.
How has it challenged you?
Being a mom has helped me become a more understanding person and I think loving in general. It’s helping me learn that I need to say no when I have to much on my plate, which I’m still working on. My business is my baby but now that I have a physical one, I’m trying to learn to not be in business owner mode 24/7.
Favorite CT season/weather?
My favorite season is Winter because of the snow but the fall foliage is pretty amazing too!
Favorite hang out spot in Milford? Either with or without kids!
I love going to the Milford Library with my daughter. We read two books a night so we also leave the library with a big stack. After the library, sometimes we go to Flip Side for milkshakes and then stroller walk round down town. As for without my daughter, Tribes and Dockside are definitely my go to spots.
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