Batter Up! How One Teen Is Making a Difference One Cupcake at a Time

By Margaret Leach

Like many teens during the COVID-19 pandemic, 14-year-old Shea Curtin struggled to find motivation to do anything during her days at home. When Curtin’s mother jokingly threatened to throw her daughter’s phone out the window for spending too much time on electronics, it encouraged this Long Island teen to work on a new, and delicious, hobby.

Dana Curtin, Shea’s mother, set aside some cake mix in their kitchen for her daughter and went back up to her office, not thinking anything out of the ordinary. After tasting the first cupcake her daughter had ever made, Dana knew the cupcakes were something special.

“It was clear that it hadn’t come from a box,” Dana Curtin says.

In 2020, Shea La Vie Cupcakery was born.

Shea Curtin’s newfound love of cupcake baking not only helped her disconnect from her phone but connect with the New York community. During the pandemic lockdown, frontline workers fearlessly kept the country safe, including Curtin’s father, a member of the New York Fire Department (FDNY). Her baking business started with a simple delivery of cupcakes to the FDNY station.

“I’ve always loved giving back to the community, it’s always been a passion of mine,” Shea Curtin says. “My mom started sharing about (my baking) online and it took off.”

While many shared their food or coffee pictures on social media during the pandemic, Dana Curtin shared the cupcake of the day with her friends and family.

After nearly five years, a move from Long Island to Northport, Alabama and a new start at the University, this teen has still made it her mission to sprinkle her love of baking and inclusivity wherever she goes.

Curtin is a current freshman at The University of Alabama studying special education with a minor in general business. Although she didn’t start out as a baker, Shea La Vie Cupcakery now offers over 100 different types of cupcakes, not including her seasonal selections. Out of her creations, her rainbow cookie cupcake, a tri teared almond flavored cupcake stuffed with fresh raspberry preserves and topped with chocolate buttercream, is her favorite.

Back in high school, Curtin worked with her district’s Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Through a district sponsored SEPTA event, Curtin brought her own unfrosted cupcakes and toppings for the students to decorate. At the event, Curtin met a close classmate’s brother.

“Seeing the pure joy on his face when he decorated a cupcake and seeing how proud of himself he was, really touched me.” says Curtin. “At that moment was when I realized that this is what I was meant to do.”

Curtin, who says her mother has always inspired her to put her heart into everything, has always had a passion for service. Her vision for Shea La Vie Cupcakery now lies outside of her home-run business. Curtin dreams of one day opening a brick-and-mortar cupcake store that employs special needs individuals.

“I realized that oftentimes, people with disabilities are overlooked and that really influenced my passion for (inclusivity),” Curtin says. “I want to give them a place where they can feel proud of themselves and help the community.”

Although her business came completely unplanned, Curtin’s mother says it has been the biggest blessing.

“This business was established completely by accident, finding her purpose was completely by accident,” Dana Curtin says. “Thinking outside of the box and thinking inclusively is what she’s garnered and made it a life skill.”

Until her storefront opens, all Shea is worrying about adjusting to new cultural norms. Her favorite rainbow cookie, a staple pastry in New York, is completely unknown to most Alabamians.

“If you put a plate of rainbow cookies in front of anybody from New York those are gone in three seconds,” Shea Curtin says. “If you even say the word rainbow cookie (in Alabama) no one knows what you’re talking about.”

Still waiting for the trend to catch on, Shea started crafting her newest cupcake, a twist on an Alabama classic drink. Her spin on the yellow hammer is a fresh pineapple vanilla bean cupcake base paired with a pineapple, orange and amaretto buttercream frosting, with a cherry on top.

If one wanted to order this fun twist, Shae La Vie Cupcakery is on Facebook, Instagram and will have a website posted soon. Shea’s dream for her future highlights the need for inclusive environments for all individuals and that all people deserve to have a seat at the table, especially a table covered in cupcakes.