Founded in 2012, Cupcakes by Elena had humble beginnings. But what started as creative nourishment and stress relief quickly morphed into a freelance baking business. Operating out of her family kitchen, Elena was constantly whipping, frosting and testing – economically disposing any unwanted cake into the hands (and mouths) of her classmates the following morning. This pattern earned her the nickname of “Wake N’ Bake” with peers, who would swarm around her at 7:17am in the halls of the high school. As demand grew, both in and especially outside of school, Elena found herself taking on custom orders for birthdays, baby showers and everything in between.

In 2013 and 2014 respectively, Elena participated as an artisan vendor where she baked and sold 300 cupcakes, donating the profits to The ALS Association - DC/MD/VA Chapter.

Today, the baking continues intermittently in San Francisco, where she has lived for the past 5+ years. Showing up with a casual cake continues to be a large part of her personality and, arguably, a persistent love language. Cupcakes by Elena endures as an extension of this decade-long love for baking and joyful opportunity for artistic expression.