Graduate of Tante Marie's Professional Pastry Program in San Francisco
In 1996, Nelson graduated from Wesleyan University
Worked as an investment banker before entering the baking business
Nelson and her husband opened the world's first cupcake bakery, Sprinkles Cupcakes, in Beverly Hills, Calif․, on April 13, 2005; many credit the store's opening with instigating a nationwide cupcake fad