Seminar shares sweet success

UCF students can satisfy their sweet tooth at the Pegasus Ballroom on Thursday when Hollis Wilder, owner of the wildly popular Sweet! By Good Golly Miss Holly cupcake shop, speaks to students.

Wilder, also known as Miss Holly, was asked by UCF's Campus Activities Board to speak to students and inspire them to go after their dreams. She has useful advice for a young entrepreneur wanting to run their own business.

"Work at what you like because you love it and are devoted to it and the process, not the outcome of its success," Wilder said. "Success will come if you are committed and consistent with your product and your customers."

Before Sweet! was opened in 2008 in the Waterford Lakes shopping center, Wilder had a much different life in Los Angeles. She was a savory chef who provided buffet lunches on the set of Hollywood's most watched shows, such as Will & Grace, That ‘70s Show, 3rd Rock from the Sun and Seinfeld. She has served meals at the Oscars and the Emmy Awards to the Rolling Stones. Seven years ago, Wilder moved to Winter Park with her family. Then in 2008, Sweet! opened.

However, Wilder hadn't always dreamed of opening a cupcake shop.

"It was my dream to be open to creating a concept that I could brand and recreate," Wilder said. "The cupcake shop was not in Orlando when I arrived from L.A., so I made it happen."

Using generations of collected family and personal recipes, Sweet! became an instant hit. The shop became such a success that in its second year, Miss Holly added 12 flavors of frozen yogurt to her menu. Popular cupcake flavors, like red velvet, were now available in frozen form.

Today, Sweet! cupcakes are well known throughout the Orlando community.

"It is well-loved by Orlando and its surrounding communities in a 50-mile radius. Our store is filled with well-traveled guests who are in search of the best cupcakes," Wilder said.

Hundreds of UCF students are expected to attend this Thursday, July 28, in the Pegasus Ballroom for Wilder's appearance. There will be raffles for gift cards and other prizes. Also, the first 700 students to arrive will receive free cupcakes.

Ashley Williams, a senior legal studies major, is a longtime Sweet! fan and is anticipating Thursday's event.

"I first learned about her cupcakes my freshman year when they had a booth set up at an event at UCF," Williams said. "They passed out free mini cupcakes and I was instantly in heaven! I then watched her win Cupcake Wars on Food Network twice, and I was so proud! Finally, I had validation for my addiction to her cupcakes."

Students and other attendees are asked to come on time for the event. With cupcakes like Miss Holly's, they are sure to run out fast.