Sprinkles to Strategy: Building Iconic Brands in a Crowded Market
11-Feb-2026
In today’s crowded marketplace, standing out isn’t enough. The brands that win are the ones people genuinely love. Join us for an exclusive YPO fireside chat with Candace Nelson, founder of Sprinkles and a trailblazer across hospitality, retail, and media.
Candace will share the story behind building one of the most iconic modern food brands, and the lessons she’s learned launching and scaling multiple ventures while staying true to her vision. This conversation will explore how emotional connection drives brand loyalty, how innovation can thrive even in legacy industries, and why founder-led storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools for growth. Candace will also reflect on her journey as a founder and leader, offering candid insights on entrepreneurship, resilience, and leadership as a woman in business.
Whether you’re building a consumer brand, scaling a service business, or leading a growing organization, this session offers practical inspiration and a real-world perspective on what it takes to create lasting impact.
By attending this event, you will:
• The role intuition plays in breakthrough ideas.
• Why “what’s old is new again” in the world of marketing.
• How Sprinkles leveraged early trendsetters to explode growth.
• The power of social media in building brand and demand.
• How to build surprise and delight moments that turn customers into evangelists.
• Behind the scenes stories from Shark Tank.
• Why founders must build a personal brand separate from the company.
Build something people don’t just buy—but believe in. Register today.