our story
In the summer of 2019, Candy Cloud was born. The sight of children's faces lighting up as they watched cotton candy being spun into existence convinced Alex and Paityn they were onto something magical. Soon, their little flower truck transformed into a haven of sweet treats, adding Hawaiian shave ice to bring even more smiles to their community.
Then came 2020 - a year that required a leap of faith. Alex hung up his firefighter helmet, trading in the security of his full-time job for the uncertain path of entrepreneurship. It wasn't just a career change; it was all or nothing. The Edwards family renovated and moved into a camper, stripped their lives down to the essentials, and poured everything they had into their dream. What might have seemed crazy to others made perfect sense to them - they were building something bigger than themselves.
A simple decision to add drinks to their menu turned into an unexpected blessing. Their signature canned beverages - homemade horchata, refreshing strawberry lemonade, and perfectly crafted iced coffee - became the talk of the town by 2021. People weren't just coming for treats anymore; they were coming back again and again for their Candy Cloud drink fix.
When they discovered an empty boba shop in late 2021, it felt like fate. After countless hours of renovation fueled by hope and elbow grease, they opened their first storefront in March 2022. The community's response was overwhelming - lines out the door, social media buzzing with photos, and most importantly, families creating precious memories together over Candy Cloud signature drinks.
But Alex and Paityn knew their mission was bigger than one store. They had discovered a recipe for not just sweet treats, but for bringing joy to entire communities. By summer 2022, they began developing a franchising model with a deeper purpose - to help other families write their own success stories through Candy Cloud. That November, Candy Cloud Franchising officially launched, opening the door for others to join their mission of creating sweet memories across the country.
Through every step of this journey - from heartbreaking loss to sweet success - Alex and Paityn have held firmly to their faith in God, seeing His hand in every open door and every small victory. Today, they continue to pour their hearts into growing Candy Cloud, knowing that every smile, and every sip is part of their greater purpose: creating sweet memories that last a lifetime.
Their story reminds us that sometimes the most beautiful things can grow from our deepest sorrows, and that with faith, perseverance, and a little bit of caffeine, anything is possible.
Every sweet success story has its bitter beginnings. For Candy Cloud founders Alex and Paityn Edwards, their journey started with unimaginable heartbreak - the loss of their precious daughter, Evelyn. In those dark days following their loss, something unexpected brought a glimmer of hope: the steady stream of flower arrangements from loved ones, each delivery a gentle reminder that beauty could still bloom in the midst of darkness.
Inspired by these florals that had brought them comfort, Alex and Paityn started Evelyn's Acre, growing flowers in their backyard and selling them from a renovated trailer at local farmers markets. While the flowers weren't exactly bringing in crowds, something else caught their eye - the joy and excitement surrounding bthe food trucks. That's when Paityn had a vision that would change everything: what if they could spin happiness out of thin air, quite literally, with fresh cotton candy?
