What Working with Sprinkles Taught Me About Creativity Under Pressure
Have you ever walked into a project thinking you knew what to expect, only to realize halfway through that you’re in over your head? That was me when I started working with Sprinkles—yes, THE Sprinkles.
Here’s the thing: I didn’t know Sprinkles was a big deal at first. I casually told a friend I was working with them on some chocolate content, and their jaw dropped. “Wait, Sprinkles?” they said, like I had just told them I was collaborating with Beyoncé. Turns out, Sprinkles is a California legend, known for their iconic cupcakes and equally iconic customer experience.
Diving Into the Deep End
Sprinkles was branching out into chocolates—a whole new territory for their brand—and they brought me on to help create content for this exciting new chapter. The catch? Food content wasn’t exactly in my wheelhouse. My background is in product photography, design workflows, and branding strategies. I’ve worked with shoes, clothing, gadgets—you name it. But chocolates? This was uncharted territory.
Still, I was up for the challenge. I leaned on my experience working for a company called Products Go, where I learned to think quickly, adapt, and streamline complex workflows. I didn’t realize just how much those skills would come in handy.
Creativity Under Fire
On the day of the shoot, I realized there was a time crunch—a serious one. We had far less time than I expected, and I had to think on my feet. What’s the best way to capture the rich elegance of chocolate, stay true to the Sprinkles brand, and get everything done in time?
Spoiler alert: It wasn’t easy. But I pivoted fast. I broke down the shoot into manageable pieces, focused on capturing the essence of their vision, and stayed flexible. I even added my own touch: creating three or four variations of each clip so they could split-test and figure out what resonated most with their audience.
The Validation That Changed Everything
After the shoot, during the editing process, it hit me—I had basically created a mini branding campaign for Sprinkles’ chocolate line. And then the founder texted me.
“They’re working,” they said. Those three little words validated all the effort and creativity I had poured into the project.
It was a huge reminder that sometimes, your instincts are right. Sometimes, the stress and the pressure push you to do your best work.
What I Learned
This project wasn’t just about chocolates or cupcakes. It was about learning to adapt and finding confidence in new territory. Here’s what I took away:
Preparation is great, but flexibility is better. You can’t plan for every curveball, but you can train yourself to pivot and deliver.
Split-testing isn’t just for digital ads. Giving Sprinkles multiple versions of the same clip allowed them to test and refine their approach—something every content creator should embrace.
Listen to the brand, but trust your gut. Understanding their vision was key, but my own creative instincts carried the project over the finish line.
What’s Next?
This experience opened my eyes to new possibilities. I’m excited to keep working with brands like Sprinkles—brands that prioritize their story, their customer experience, and their craft.
If you’ve ever doubted whether you’re “good enough” for something outside your comfort zone, let me tell you this: you are. You just need to show up, adapt, and create. Because sometimes, under pressure, you’ll surprise yourself.
