After growing up with parents who were bakers and business owners, the owners of Brown’s Handcrafted Confections knew that one day, they would open their own shop to offer delicious cake pops to the greater Philadelphia area.
Ariona Zappaunbulso and his mother started the business to sell the family’s cake pops. Since its inception last year, the business has taken off faster than expected, especially with the help of a storefront across the Delaware River in New Jersey at 12 N Black Horse Pike Runnemede. The cozy cafe outside Philly also offers cake pop arrangements, bouquets, chocolate-covered pretzels, game day snack boxes, and cake pop sampler boxes filled with a little bit of everything.
What Now Media Group recently interviewed Ariona Zappaunbulso to learn more about his journey and the progress made since the cafe opened.
Q: How did you get into the industry? Did you always know you wanted to own a business?
A: It all started by accident. My mom would bake for the family as a hobby, something she truly loves doing, and before she knew it, word started to spread. Friends and extended family kept asking why we didn’t have a store yet, and the demand just kept growing.
As for business ownership, it was always in both of us. My mom’s dad was a business owner, so she grew up seeing firsthand what it takes to build something from the ground up. That influence, combined with both of our passion for creating, made it feel natural to take that next step and turn Brown’s Confections from a concept to a storefront.
Q: Where did the idea for the business come from?
A: The idea of a cake pop specialty started within the family. My youngest sibling was obsessed with cake pops, and my mom always thought, “Could I do it better?” She started experimenting, and soon, word spread, with people asking why she didn’t have a store.
My mom and I make the perfect team—she’s the creative and the baker, while I handle the business and operations. Together, we turned a simple idea into something bigger than we ever imagined.
Q: How have things been going since you opened?
A: Since opening, things have taken off faster than we expected. The demand and feedback have been incredible! It’s been amazing to see all the smiling faces after trying one of our cake pops.
Building this business has been a learning process. Every step comes with new challenges but also new opportunities. We’ve grown so much, not just in sales but in our understanding of what it takes to run a successful operation together. It’s been exciting, humbling, and a journey we’re both grateful for.
Q: What’s the most challenging part about opening a business?
A: One of the biggest challenges has been keeping up with demand while staying on top of trends. As a small business, we wear a lot of hats—production, marketing, sales, and everything in between. It’s a balancing act.
My grandfather was a business owner, and his influence, along with my mom’s creativity, has shaped how we navigate this journey. Learning to adapt, problem-solve, and keep things running smoothly has been tough, but it’s also what makes building this business so rewarding.
Q: What do you think is the most rewarding part about opening a business?
A: The most rewarding part has been connecting with people—seeing their smiles when they try our cake pops and hearing how much they love them. Being part of the community and using our platform to bring people together makes all the hard work worth it. It’s more than just a business; it’s about creating moments of joy and sharing something special with others.
Q: Anything else you’d like people to know?
A: We love what we do, but what makes it truly special is the reactions—whether it’s a kid’s excitement over a custom order or a grown man surprised by how much he loves a cake pop. We enjoy trying new things and pushing creative boundaries.
For my mom, this business is more than baking; it’s her creative outlet. Through custom orders, we help others bring their own creativity to life. We also use our platform to highlight local craft makers, building a space where creativity and community come together.
