Zaneta Riley, 43, always knew she had an “entrepreneurial spirit,” but she couldn’t decide what product or service she wanted to bring to the community.
“I’ve always been creative and crafty,” she says. “I was taught to sew, so I made cushions and curtains, but I never thought it would be something I would sell.”
Riley, a 2012 business graduate from the University of Brescia, wanted to break out of her usual nine-to-five schedule so she could “express her creativity” and meet more people.
“I’m a bit of an introvert,” she confessed. “And the fact that I work from home doesn’t help, because I don’t get to meet other adults very often.”
After brainstorming a few ideas, Riley decided to dive into the world of baking, specifically cake pops. That’s when she decided to start her business, Cop-A-Pop Cake Popz. Riley said she spelled Popz with a “Z” because “my first name is Zaneta.”
“I chose cake pops because they seem like the perfect size for a special treat. They’re really popular right now, especially with kids, and adults don’t have to commit to eating a whole cake or cupcake,” she explained.
“People who watch their sugar intake have told me that just one cake pop makes them feel like they’re being spoiled with candy.”
Riley runs Cop-A-Pop Cake Popz right out of her home, and she doesn’t plan on changing that anytime soon.
“I love working from home,” she said. “I love being able to work 9 to 5 and make the cake pops in my spare time when I can.”
Riley offers her customers custom designs and flavors based on individual orders, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have her favorites.
“I love making dishes with strawberries and German chocolate,” she said.
She said German chocolate cake pops are more labor intensive to make than others, but the flavor combination is “just perfect” for a cake pop.
The mother of two nearly grown children said the business allows her to find something else to do now that she is on the verge of having an “empty nest.”
“I’ve been a busy, working mom for years, so it’s nice that things at home are slowing down, but I felt like I needed to fill some of that time with something productive,” Riley explained.
And so far, she said, business is good.
In addition to taking custom orders, Riley has also set up shop at area festivals and events to sell his cake pops.
“A few weekends ago I was at the Juneteenth event in English Park,” she said. “I love getting out and chatting with people and offering my delicious products to attendees.”
Riley says she would like to travel more and attend events outside of the Owensboro area.
“I think it would be nice to get my name out there more and see more places,” she said.
Riley said his ultimate mission is simply to “spread love, light and happiness” through his products.
“It’s amazing what a little something can do to brighten someone’s day,” she said. “I like to make cakes to take to the fire station or the police station, just to show these people that what they do matters and that they are appreciated.”
The best way to contact Riley for an order is through the company’s Facebook or Instagram pages, both named Cop-A-Pop Cake Popz.
