14-year-old entrepreneur turns her dreams into reality selling her popular cake pops at Nickelodeon Universe®
BLOOMINGTON, MN — March 27, 2025
Edyn Esparza, a determined and entrepreneurial 14-year-old, is bringing her homemade cake pops to Nickelodeon Universe® at Mall of America®. Starting her journey at just 11 years old, Edyn has worked tirelessly to transform her passion for baking into a thriving business, becoming the youngest entrepreneur ever to sell her tasty treats inside the nation’s largest indoor theme park.
“My love for baking started when I was little,” says Edyn. “I remember baking pancakes at 8 years old, and it just grew from there. I love watching the show iCarly on Nickelodeon, and I decided to make my cakes with Nickelodeon’s colors. After making cakes, I started making cake pops, and that’s when I got the idea to sell them at Nickelodeon Universe.”
At the age of 11, Edyn boldly reached out to the team at Mall of America with a proposal to sell her homemade cake pops. To her surprise, she received a call back from Barb Ross-Hayes, Foods Manager at Mall of America, who was inspired by Edyn’s ambition. Barb took Edyn up on her idea and became a mentor, guiding her through every step of the journey—leading to a full business pitch and a thorough process of obtaining the necessary licensing and certifications to sell her products at the theme park.
“When I first heard Edyn’s voicemail, I was amazed by how professional she sounded — I never would’ve guessed she was just 11,” said Barb Ross-Hayes, Foods Manager at Mall of America. “Edyn has shown a level of determination well beyond her years. We’re so proud to finally see her cake pops launching at Nickelodeon Universe — she truly earned this moment."
The journey to become a licensed wholesaler and baker wasn’t easy. Edyn had to navigate a lengthy process of acquiring a wholesale license through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, renting commercial kitchen space, and ensuring proper food labeling and nutrition analysis for each flavor. Despite the challenges, Edyn persevered and in late 2024 she received her licenses and prepared to launch her cake pops at Coaster Café in Nickelodeon Universe beginning February 2025.
Edyn’s cake pops come in three exciting flavors—Green Slime Vanilla, Purple Velvet, and a special combination of Purple Velvet and Orange—made from scratch with love and attention to detail. Prices are $4 per pop or $10 for all three flavors. Within just a few weeks, Edyn sold all her initial inventory and has already produced a new batch–a testament to her hard work and the growing popularity of her treats.
“I want to inspire other kids to work hard and know they can achieve anything, no matter their age,” Edyn says. “I’ve been able to turn my dreams into reality.”
Jill Renslow, Chief Officer of Marketing and Business Development at Mall of America, is equally impressed with Edyn’s drive. “I was blown away meeting this young woman. Her motivation and enthusiasm are infectious. We are thrilled to provide this incredible opportunity for Edyn to sell her cake pops at Nickelodeon Universe, while providing a delicious snack for our guests,” said Renslow.
Edyn and her family are available for interviews, but advance notice is required due to Edyn’s school schedule.
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ABOUT MALL OF AMERICA
At 5.6 million square feet, Mall of America is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America with up to 520 world-class retail stores and restaurants; Nickelodeon Universe, a 7-acre indoor theme park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium; FlyOver America; Crayola Experience; and more. The Mall opened in 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul and adjacent to MSP International Airport. Follow Mall of America on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. Listen to So Much More – a Mall of America podcast, on all major platforms or watch on YouTube. Download the Mall of America app from the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.
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