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Business & Tech

Cupcake Dreamin': Take a Bite from Sweet Treats and Neats

From cupcake mom to entrepreneur, Sicklerville's Nicole Carter bakes up cupcakes and more.

Nicole Carter owned her first business when she was just 16 years old.

“To me the American dream is about being an entrepreneur. It is about working for yourself, “ said Carter, the owner of , a home-based business that provides custom gourmet cupcakes, cakes and other dessert items.

In high school and college, Carter owned “Balloons by Nicole,” a balloon and gift business with kiosks in a handful of area shopping malls. Now, Carter flexes her creativity with Sweet Treats and Neats.

“I was always known as the cupcake mom at my son’s daycare,” says Carter.

A year ago, Carter made a teddy bear cake for a baby shower. Her reputation as a baker grew and Sweet Treats and Neats was born.

Carter attributes her growth to word of mouth—friends, neighbors and customers spreading the word about her cupcake creations.

“I think cupcakes are universal. You won’t ever meet someone who does not love a cupcake,” Carter said.

Carter has more than 30 different flavors of cupcakes, including the popular red velvet and the exotic pina colada. 

Carter is a self-taught baker. She grew up baking with her mother, making and decorating Christmas cookies. Carter also remembers enjoying her grandmother’s special cream puffs. She continues to experiment with new flavors, using her children, husband and friends as taste-testers.

Carter has also found support from her lifelong best friend, Nicole Barringer, Sicklerville resident and owner of Ivy Charlaine custom jewelry. The two of them share ideas, help each other fulfill orders and work together to grow their businesses.

Carter’s original business focused on cupcakes and specialty cakes, but with client requests and outside inspiration she expanded to include gourmet chocolate- and candy-covered pretzels, chocolate- and caramel-dipped apples, cake pops and other treats.

As her business grows, Carter has turned her eye to supporting charities, such as Alex’s Lemonade Stand. From Sept. 10-25, Carter will donate $1 from every cupcake sold during her “Cupcakes for the Cure” event. In October, she is planning a similar fundraising event in support of breast cancer research.

By day, Carter works in the mortgage industry and is also finishing up a degree in elementary education from Rowan University.

Carter suggests one to two weeks lead time for cupcake or other treat orders (longer if the request is elaborate or large). She does offer free local delivery and delivery to further destinations with a small mileage/fuel surcharge.

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