We recently connected with Anne Mandell and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Anne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

The name Cereal Dreams came from a mix of two things that are really important to me: cereal itself—and my dream of owning a business. I’ve always loved cereal. It brings me comfort, it makes me happy, and it’s such a nostalgic, pop culture staple. So many people have vivid memories tied to their favorite childhood cereals, and just like a dream you want to tell someone about, those cereal stories spark so much joy and excitement in conversations.

The word ‘dreams’ also reflects how we treat cereal in our business—we transform it into something even more magical. Our treats are the kind of thing cereal lovers fantasize about. They’re nostalgic, delicious, and just a little bit indulgent—like the stuff of dreams.

Ultimately, it’s my dream to bring people happiness through these creations and to make Cereal Dreams the gold standard when it comes to cereal-based treats.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Cereal Dreams started as a fun idea I had during a time when I was craving something nostalgic, colorful, and sweet—but with a twist. I’ve always loved cereal, not just for the taste but for the memories it brings. I experimented in my kitchen, turning childhood favorites into dreamy, indulgent treats. What started as a creative outlet quickly gained momentum once people tried them—and loved them. From there, I realized I was onto something special, and Cereal Dreams was born.

At Cereal Dreams, we specialize in nostalgic, cereal-based desserts with a modern twist. Our most popular items are our gourmet Rice Krispie treats—made with premium ingredients, fun shapes, and bold flavors. We also create cereal treat “cakes,” cake pops, party favors, and custom dessert displays for events. Everything we make is designed to spark joy and bring a sense of fun to any occasion.

We help people who are tired of the same old party desserts and want something unique, fun, and memorable. Whether it’s a birthday, brand event, or just a treat-yourself moment, our products stand out and make people smile. We also make gift-giving easier—our treats are a creative and delicious way to say “thank you,” “congrats,” or “I’m thinking of you.”

Cereal Dreams isn’t just about dessert—it’s about nostalgia, creativity, and presentation. Everything we create is made with intention and personality, and we’re not afraid to play with color, texture, and flavor. We’ve taken a familiar childhood snack and elevated it into something that feels both playful and high-quality. Plus, our customer service is as sweet as our treats—we care deeply about the details and experience.

I’m proud of building something from scratch—literally. From recipe testing to branding to popping up at events and getting into stores, every step has been a labor of love. I’m also proud of the way Cereal Dreams brings people joy. Seeing customers light up when they see (and taste) our treats is everything.

Cereal Dreams is here to make life a little more fun, a little more nostalgic, and a lot more delicious. We’re a small business with big heart, and we’re always dreaming up new ways to surprise and delight. Whether you’re planning a party, looking for a standout gift, or just want to treat yourself, we’ve got you covered—with sprinkles on top.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’ve been kind of hovering at 1350-1400 Instagram followers for about a year now. I would really like to see that number go up significantly and I truly believe it should be higher! My first greatest increase in followers was when I partnered with an influencer. She promoted Cereal Dreams to her audience in exchange for a small fee and some product. It definitely gained me about 200 followers but I am not sure it resulted in any sales at all. For me the greatest gains have come from media coverage that I got when I was part of a shared co-retail space last year. Outlets such as montclairgirl and NJ.com covered my cereal bar and I gained a lot. I have begun to outright ask customers to share their discovery of and satisfaction with cereal dreams on their own channels and tag me. This results in small gains but I believe they are more valuable gains.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

My prior career was in advertising account management. I was a VP Account Management when I lost my job in early 2023. I have been laid off from advertising agencies many times during my career, first after September 11 when I was living in NYC and American Express was my client. Each time I was forced to make lifestyle changes and decide what my next step was to be. I did not love advertising any more and when I was laid off in 2023 I knew for sure I could not go back even though with my history, connections and reputation I would be able to find a job in advertising easily. I was not that young anymore and I needed to finally listen to my heart and fulfill my “someday” dream of being an entrepreneur. With a nervous, very financially concerned husband and two kids in college, it may not have been the right time but when would be? It has resulted in many lifestyle changes for me and my family as I build this business but honestly I’ve never been more fulfilled or felt more like my true self!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Cerealdreams.com
• Instagram: @cerealdreams
• Facebook: @cerealdreams
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annedmandell

Image Credits

Julia Maloof Verderosa
Omar Gonzalez