Baking has always been close to Hannah O’Kelly’s heart and since November of last year, she has embraced that passion and started her own business, Glenroe Cupcakes.
It started out as a hobby when herself and her sister Margaret brought some cupcakes to a local family fun day. Then they had a stall at Castle Oliver and people were so taken with the produce that they suggested she start it as a business venture, and so, Glenroe Cupcakes was born.
“It’s something I have been thinking about for years. It is tough going at times and there would be boxes and decorations all over the kitchen table, but I love doing it,” she told The Avondhu.
As well as cupcakes, Hannah also provides biscuit cakes and mini cupcakes, which are perfect for children or as small sweet treats for an occasion.
To promote her business, Hannah has taken stalls at various events and fairs and she said that word of mouth has been central to getting more business.
“I always baked buns and working from home suits me, as I have two children in school and this is something that I can work around my lifestyle,” Hannah explained, stressing how beneficial it is to work from the comfort of her own home.
One of her favourite things about the business is being able to customise the cupcake orders for people and give them something special and different.
“I would always ask if people have a certain hobby or interest and try to bring that into the cupcakes. I like to give them a personal touch and I think people appreciate that attention to detail. As I like to say through my slogan, ‘A little cupcake goes a long way’,” she said.
Prices start from €8 for six cupcakes with a special offer of getting a free box of 12 mini cupcakes with every order for three boxes of six.
Glenroe Cupcakes also deliver locally to Mitchelstown, Ballylanders and Kilfinane.
Hannah also provides a variety of flavours in each box from vanilla, lemon, chocolate or raspberry to the more adventurous chocolate fudge, chocolate orange, red velvet, Oreo or coffee and the decorations would be personalised for the occasion.
SEASONAL
Speaking about what kind of occasions she has provided cupcakes for, Hannah said that some of the orders would be seasonal for things like Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Fathers Day, Mothers Day and Valentine’s Day.
Other occasions for which the delicious and beautifully decorated cupcakes have proved popular are birthdays, anniversaries, christenings, Communions, Confirmations, weddings, baby showers, hens and stags, family fun days, retirements, funerals, GAA socials and club events. Hannah says that now, at this time, she would be doing cupcakes to say thank you to teachers to coincide with the end of the school year.
“If I have enough notice, I like to make the cupcakes really special and for club events, I would sometimes get the crest or logo put onto icing, or for example for a sports event, I would order decorative jerseys to tie in with the club,” Hannah explained, speaking about how she goes that extra mile for her customers.
Looking to how the business might grow, Hannah said that she would love to develop her own sugarcraft skills, as it is something she has always been interested in.
She added that support since she started out has been fantastic and she thanked everyone who has bought cupcakes from her for recommending her to friends or family.
“I’ve been lucky in that I’ve had orders most weeks and it’s great when people post pictures on the Facebook page or get back in touch to let me know that they really enjoyed the cupcakes. That is what it’s all about for me at the end of the day,” she said.
Hannah O’Kelly, Glenroe, Co Limerick.
Facebook: Hannah O Kelly (Glenroe Cupcakes)
Phone: 087-6648424
Email: hannahokelly1@hotmail.com
