When I was at the PINK Society grand opening party I met Natalie Winslow, the owner of Twirl. Her adorable cart and childhood confections immediately caught my eye. This was the debut event for her mobile cotton candy business, which features unique flavors that are organic, all-natural and gluten free. How good do Cha Cha Chai and Sassy Sangria sound?! I tried Strawberry Soirée—amazing! She definitely knows how to transform this whimsical, nostalgic treat into a sophisticated sweet that is perfect for any event. Her entire setup is so stylish, including her outfit! The striped dress and statement necklace complemented the creative carriage perfectly. Here’s a behind the scenes look at Twirl and some business tips from its creator and Chief Executive Twirlette.
What inspired you to open a cotton candy business?
I design party stationery and style parties; I’m always looking for fun new ways to entertain and incorporate sweets into an event. Recently, while planning two different events, both clients requested cotton candy as their featured sweet treat. Initially I designed a cotton candy bar and cotton candy favors. The ideas kept flowing and I was having so much fun I didn’t want it to stop there. My daughter also LOVES cotton candy and I thought this would be a good family business that she could be a part of one day. My background and degree in Fashion Merchandising inspires me to creatively approach everyday experiences—thus Twirl and the cotton candy carriage were developed.
What are some of your most unique flavors?
We have some fun yummy flavors! If I had to pick our current three most unique flavors, it would definitely be our Cha Cha Chai (Chai Flavor), Rumista (Rum Flavor) and Crème de la Earl (Earl Grey). All of our flavors are organic, vegan and gluten free.
Where do you plan to serve these sweet treats?
I hope to be at weddings, bridal & baby showers, birthday parties, corporate events, grand openings, award ceremonies, in-store events, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, charity events and other sweet celebrations! In addition to our cotton candy catering service, we offer a la carte items such as cotton candy push pop favors, beverage toppers and more.
Do you have any tips for people that are interested in starting their own business?
One of the greatest opportunities I’ve had is partnering with other entrepreneurs to trade professional services. I have many talented friends and associates. We often trade services, which gives us the opportunity to cross-promote, and it helps us save on operating costs. Research but don’t spend ages on planning. Doubt will often scare us from moving forward. Create a business plan and get to it!
Other than your delicious cotton candy, where are your favorite spots in Las Vegas for sweets?
My favorite sweet spot would have to be my local yogurt shop, Poppy’s Frozen Yogurt. Their cake batter froyo with caramel sauce, Reese’s and brownies is divine! I also love Nothing Bundt Cakes, and if I really want to indulge I’ll go get the Red Velvet Brownie Cake from Sugar Factory.
