Las Vegas, Nevada is home to some of the most amazingly talented and unique wedding vendors around and I want to take this opportunity to share with you some of my favorites! I interviewed several of my absolute favorite small business owners (who I have had the pleasure of working with) to get to know their passions and business just a little bit better. I want to help you gain some insight into the valley's most sensational and unique wedding vendors that you may end up choosing for your special day. Perhaps I can help alleviate some of the stress of wedding planning with these Vegas wedding vendor spotlights.
Shayanne is the the owner of Bleu Moon Bakery and I just love her to the moon and back, so I thought, who better to kick off my Vegas Vendor Spotlight Series than Shayanne!
Bleu Moon Bakery is a vegan bakery in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shayanne and I met when I first moved to Las Vegas in 2017 and I was planning a styled shoot where I needed a wedding cake and she stepped up and offered her services. From there, we became friends and have worked on many styled shoots, elopements, and weddings together. I have even photographed her engagement photos (also her fiancé graciously stepped up to be a model for one of my styled shoots) She is hands down, my favorite vegan baker. Shayanne is my concert buddy when our calendars happen to align and fun bands are playing. I am truly honored to call her a friend and have her in my corner.
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and business?
I am Shayanne Nelson. I am the maker, baker, owner, creator, dishwasher, HR, heart and soul of Bleu Moon Bakery. I run my business (est.12/2017) in Las Vegas, NV with my two cats, Bleu & Petunia, and my fiancé, Joe. I am from Los Angeles, CA where I was born and raised. I have three degrees, one of which is in Baking and Pastry, and am currently back in school at UNLV. I am a classically-trained chef, that has made it my personal mission in life, to learn as many flavors, techniques, and ingredients as I possibly can. I am truly passionate about food and all things pastry! I have been in the restaurant industry since 2011, starting as a baker for a local bagel shop and then gaining as much experience in the kitchen as I possibly could from there. Along with being a student, small-business owner, and planning my upcoming wedding, my main job is that of a culinary instructor, at a local cooking school, where I teach people of all experiences and ages. I have an allergy list as long as this story, which is why I bake the way I do. Pastries that anyone and everyone can enjoy (no restrictions). Conscious, creative, collaborative, seasonal, local, unique, and custom to how you like and need it. This business is my passion, dream, and baby. We are 100% online based and currently offer 6in-sized custom cakes (feeds 8-10 people), custom cupcakes, wedding orders, seasonal pastries, poptarts, cookies, and more!
What made you decide to open your business? Id love to know the story
behind your name!
My last class in culinary school was called Capstone, we had to make a business plan from start to finish for a potential restaurant/bakery. I worked my way through many different businesses in the culinary industry for about 6 years before moving to Las Vegas, where I couldn’t get a job as an accomplished, out-of-state chef for the life of me, even grocery store
bakeries turned me down here. I then decided that I had nothing else to lose and I started to pursue Bleu Moon Bakery for real. The name came about, when I was in college and both my grandmothers had a run with cancer, so I started volunteering with a program that did charity bake sales called, Cupcakes for Cancer. You could be a home cook to a child to a professional chef or legitimate bakery, any cupcakes counted but you had to have a name. I liked the idea of “once in a blue moon” and the idea that people don’t like sweets all the time, and I actually went with that for a while. After that, I went to culinary school and learned a lot about the business. That’s when I decided to make it more personal. Bleu, for two reasons, the french spelling because I am french trained in pastry and because my beloved cat of 17 years, is named Bleu (for other reasons, he is stinky like the cheese and his coat is blue black. I was 9 when I named him lol). You can see him sitting on the cookie moon in my logo. Moon, comes from the saying “once in a blue moon” and it is the nickname I call my mom.
What sets you apart from all the others?
Not only is my bakery 100% plant- based, but I offer allergy-friendly treats upon request. Right after culinary school, I was exposed to a mold that set off all my dormant allergies and became allergic to (almost) everything. It was earth shattering as a chef, but I found the positives and drastically changed my diet and lifestyle. With my training and personal understanding of food allergies, I make treats that sparkle all around. They are delicious, exciting, colorful, and don’t taste vegan lol.
What do you love about baking and running a business?
I originally went to college as a fine arts major, I loved to paint and draw. I graduated with a
degree in fine arts and photography. From there, I decided to pursue culinary and pastry, as a way to transform my talent into delicious, edible art. Honestly, I love creating and I love teaching, those two would be my passions, hand down.
Owning a business on the other hand, is not my favorite. It’s definitely not as easy and rewarding as it seems, there are a lot of rough days mentally and physically, always being pushed to the edge, but the days when I get to see someone smile because of something I made, all the negatives go away and I am reminded why I started and continue. Will it be my forever? Probably not, but I have learned and grown so much from owning my own business and don’t regret a second. I can’t wait to transform it into something greater one day. For now,
I am completely content making people happy through sweets.
If there is one thing you could tell your future clients (a tip or advice or
something you want them to know), what would it be?
Bleu Moon Bakery is a conscious and creative business that is focused on allergy-friendly and plant-based goods. Food is such an important part of life, so our mission is to produce food that is nourishing for you and doesn’t damage our planet...along with being super delicious. Local, seasonal, 100% vegan and truly satisfying. We specialize in custom sweets and treats, that can be allergy-friendly upon request. Look out for pop-ups and events, I try to do as many as I can, schedule allowing. I also do private events and classes; great as a gift, for special dinners, bridal showers, birthday parties and/or anytime!
As always, “Why only treat yourself, once in a Bleu Moon?”
Be sure to follow Bleu Moon Bakery on social media!
You can find her on Instagram
Email her bleumoonbakery@gmail.com
