We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabby Vigiletti Saunders and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabby, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Consistency and motivation are the two pillars that keep my small business alive. Especially during our slower season in Phoenix, we must remain consistently persistent and continue to find ways to drum up business. Summer 2023 has proven to be the most difficult for us in almost 3 years of business, but we remain motivated and look forward to a fruitful Fall/Winter 2023.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always had a passion for art of all mediums – painting, drawing, photography, architecture, interior design, ceramics.

Cake pops became a hobby of mine in early 2011. They weren’t anything special to look at the first couple of years, I honestly just loved the taste of them. As I worked a handful of different jobs, over the next 10 years, there was one thing that never changed during that time, and it was cake pops. I would make them for friends & family whenever they asked in various flavors and sometimes simples shapes.

The last corporate job I held for 2 years, and I was honestly at my lowest. The money was decent, but my heart was not at all into it. I spent those 2 years volunteering at a dog rescue, working full time at a job I despised, and taking on cake pop orders at night. The hustle was real!

Fast forward to December 2020 – the leap of faith. My mental health could no longer hold out for that meaningless corporate gig, it was time to go. With the love and support of my husband, I was able to quit my stable 9-5 job and work full time on cake pops.

March 2021, Merry Poppins Cake Pops LLC was born. I was getting more involved in our community and joining different farmer’s markets & pop-ups across the valley to get my name out there. The summers are brutal here in Phoenix, and my cake pops just don’t stand a chance in 80 degree + weather. While excelling in custom shapes for customers, many did not know I had another business venture up my sleeve.

Over the next 10 months I was having a Piaggio Ape (an Italian Vespa scooter) converted into a mobile tap bar. The beautiful tap truck made its debut at the Arizona Bridal Expo in November 2022. To say it has been a learning curve, is an understatement. My husband and I had no previous knowledge on how to run anything through tapped kegs, hooking up trailers, but we found ourselves figuring it all out on our own. Again, it takes consistency & motivation.

Now here we are turning over to Q3 of 2023 I can say with confidence: We have our mobile tap bar service down to a science and my cake pops taste and look better than ever. Summer 2023 has been the slowest season I have ever served in Phoenix, but my amazing customers keep showing up.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I hold a long list of great eats & sips in Arizona.

One of my favorite happy hours has to be at Hula’s Modern Tiki. Delicious food & rum based cocktails at an affordable price.

Speakeasy’s have my heart. Some of my favorites I love to offer to take out of towners to are:
Little Rituals
Stardust – inside of Ziggy’s Pizza
Platform 18
Undertow
Pigtails – inside of Whining Pig

I am a poke girl, and Chula’s Seafood has some of the best fresh fish. Tacos are also a favorite, and Diego Pops has some of the best variety. I have been practicing more and more veganism, and LOVE to stop by Tacos Veganos in Central Phoenix whenever I am in the area.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To my husband Ian, Thank you for believing in me & supporting what at times feels like a leap of faith. You are able to witness the business’s potential and success as I do. Your corporate sales outlook keeps me driven to continue and grow.

To my parents – Lou & Eileen,
Even though you are a state away, you both continue to show up in my corner. Whether it be a local farmer’s market, a booked event, or an expo, I can always count on the both of you for help when I need it most. Thank you.

Website: www.merrypoppins.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merrypoppins/?hl=en

Image Credits
Meggin Tengberg & AJSM Photos for the professional shots. Photo of me was taken by a friend, Autumn Frausto at a Farmer’s Market.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.