Erik Larsen may seem like just another student on the back row in Comm Law, but what you may not know is that he’s also reality TV contestant. Erik was a hit on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, season three. He is also the founder of Heaven Cupcake, a husband, father, and a full-time student at the University of Utah.
Even with his crazy schedule, Her Campus got a chance to catch up with Erik, and see what life is like in the spotlight, as well as at home. In order to sneak away, he brought his baby girl [Lily] with him to meet us. Every time she coo’d, he would just look at her and smile. Erik was every bit as down to earth and genuine as he appears on Cupcake Wars. Sorry, ladies… he’s taken, but here’s what he has to say about baking, being a dad, and running his business, all while staying on top of his studies.
HC UTAH: Erik, what was it like to compete on national television?
Erik: It was scary… I mean really scary. But it was the most fun I’ve ever had baking. We were the only ones from Utah on the show and the theme was baseball. We made this cupcake that we deep-fried and had maple and bacon. The judges liked it so that was good. We called it the man cupcake.
HC UTAH: Do peers or teachers treat you differently, now that you’ve been on the show?
Erik: No, not really. I mean, people take me way more serious about what I do now. Before people were like, yeah, you make cupcakes… ha ha. But now people seem to have an appreciation for what I do. Sometimes someone will come up to me and say, ‘You shoulda won!’ or ‘You were really funny on that show!’ and that’s pretty cool cause that means people are watching.
HC UTAH: What make you decide to make a career out of cupcakes?
Erik: Well, my wife [Cori ] and I wanted to start a business and I knew I wanted it to be something with food. I kind of wanted to start a sandwich shop or something and Cori suggested I do cupcakes, since I love baking. It’s really great, cause I get to hang out with my daughter while I work.
HC UTAH: How do you manage to balance being a dad, entrepreneur, and a full-time student?
Erik: It’s not too bad. I just have to focus on one thing at a time. I have to remind myself to keep my priorities straight… and sometimes my wife and I don’t see eye to eye on that [laughs]. It’s hard with the business, because I’m pretty new at it, and you have to do everything. Just the little things like getting all the supplies and doing the paperwork can be overwhelming, but somehow it all works out.
HC UTAH: What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs?
Erik: Just stick with it. At first you will want to give up like every day, but don’t. It’s really rewarding and you just have to have a good idea. If that one doesn’t work out, don’t let it get you down. Try another one. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it sure is amazing once you get going and you can say ‘I did this!’
HC UTAH: You can watch Erik battle it out in the kitchen here.
Photos courtesy of HeavenCupcake.com