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Twin Cities Mom Collective

I Am A Twin Cities Mom: Abby Jimenez

I am a Twin Cities Moms: Abby Jimenez | Twin Cities Moms Blog

We’re reintroducing our series, I Am A Twin Cities Mom, featuring local business influencers who are also moms! To kick-off this round, we’d like to introduce you to Abby Jimenez – owner and founder of Nadia Cakes.

Though Abby is a California native, she found that Minnesota called to her on a trip through the area. Her original cupcake shop is out west, but she has opened locations in both Maple Grove and Woodbury over the last few years.

Nadia Cakes is a premier cupcake shop and custom cake studio. They can be seen on seasons one and two of TLC’s show Fabulous Cakes, as well as the Rose Bowl episode of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars (which Abby won!). They’ve also been named “Best Cakes in L.A.” on the 2011 L.A. Hotlist and “Best Desserts in Palmdale” 2011, and “Best Cupcakes in L.A.” on the 2012 L.A. Hotlist. Nadia Cakes was also voted “Best Cupcakes in Minnesota” and won “Best Desserts in Maple Grove” two years running. And to top it all off, Buzzfeed named Nadia Cakes in their list of Top 25 Cupcake Shops in the World That You Need to Visit Before You Die. Needless to say – if you haven’t had a chance to try one of their cupcakes, you need to – soon!

FB_IMG_1461391356515If we peeked in your purse right now, what would we find? Well, I think you’d be surprised to find that I don’t carry a purse! I have a cell phone with a holder for my credit cards and ID. I’m kind of low maintenence! I always have Carmex in a pocket somewhere and a Starbucks drink nearby.

Why do you call the Twin Cities home? I love the Twin Cities. My husband and I came here from California. We had no connection to Minnesota. No friends, family, nothing. We came through here on a cross country trip and immediately fell in love. We loved the beauty of the state, the people, the schools. Three months later we packed up the home we’d lived in for eight years and moved from a state that we’d grown up in to relocate to Minneapolis. Best decision we’ve ever made!
 
What’s been the greatest joy of motherhood? Raising children that I like. We all love our children, but sometimes they’re a little hard to like (haha!). I love hanging out with my girls. They’re turning out to be incredible human beings. 
 
What’s been the greatest challenge of motherhood? Balance. It definitely gets easier as they get older, but balance is something I think all parents chase. And sometimes it means saying “no” to that extra activity or summer camp because it will spread you too thin. I used to feel bad saying no. But then I realized that it freed up my time to make a home cooked dinner or to take the kids to the movies or spend a weekend at the lake with them. I felt less frazzled and harried, and that made me a better mom.
 
How do you hope your life influences and/or inspires other women? Nadia Cakes was born from a very difficult time in my life. I’d just had my third baby in three years, I had three infants in diapers and I’d just lost my job. I was depressed and lost and had no idea how I was going to pay the bills. I took a few cake decorating classes just to get my mind off of things and I ended up starting a cake business out of my home that grew to three bakeries in two states. And I never would have done any of it if circumstances hadn’t pushed me out of my comfort zone, if I hadn’t been forced to make tough choices. I hope my story encourages other women to push through the tough times and to realize that good things can come out of even the worst situations. Don’t give up!
 
Besides your own, what cupcake (or dessert) do you love? Oh man, I love it ALL. I’m a huge pie fan. I love anything pistachio, I crave creme brule. I make ice cream from scratch at home. I eat dessert every single day.
 
How did you get your start? I started Nadia Cakes out of my home back in 2007. I had no formal training in baking or cake design. I started just making cakes and opened up my offerings to cupcakes when I opened my first bakery in 2009.
Twin Cities Favorites

Date Night: It would have to be food related. Probably Travail. I love that place!

Entertainment: Escape MSP. Sooooo fun! You’ll be handcuffed and locked in a room with a bomb. You’ll have an hour to figure out how to get out. I’ve probably already said too much…

Shopping (for YOU!): I love Pier One and World Market. My husband and I just bought a lakehouse and I’m really into decorating it at the moment. Oh, and antique stores! Once I found a love letter written in the 1940’s at an antique store from Bob to Anita. They had only known each other for three days. A very beautiful letter. I never did find Bob and Anita.

Relaxation: I’d have to say going on a five mile run in Elm Creek Park while listening to a book on tape. I don’t sit still much!


Isn’t it fun to know the personal sides of local Moms of the Twin Cities? If you want to recommend another Mom you think should be featured here at TCMB, email us at info@twincitiesmomsblog.com.

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