Search

Popular searches

  1. Home
  2. UK and International Post
  3. Posting Guides and Articles
  4. Candy Floss Cake Whirlylicious

Online seller stories: Manuela, founder of Whirlylicious

Manuela, founder of Whirlylicious, sells colourful candy floss cakes and treats online and sends them all over the UK.

It all began with a fair at her son’s school, where a spark of inspiration led to a sweet idea. And today, the icing on the cake is the help she gets from her local Post Office branch.

Last updated: 14/8/2025

A person standing at the counter in a brightly lit Post Office branch, with shelves of products in the background

Meet the candyfloss creator

After running the candy floss stall at a school fair, Manuela felt inspired.

“I saw just how much children and adults loved candyfloss,” she says. “There was a real nostalgic pull for the grown-ups and, for the kids, it was pure excitement. That’s when the idea sparked: I wanted to do something with it. To take that joy and fun and turn it into something special.”

Manuela launched Whirlylicious in 2024, bringing a fresh spin to sweet treats with her bespoke candyfloss cakes. Based in London, she crafts playful, personalised creations for birthdays, baby showers, anniversaries and gender reveals, delighting kids and grown-ups alike.

Watch Manuela's story

Fancy a candyfloss cake?

Discover how Manuela turned a school fair idea into a thriving online business. And how her local Post Office team helped her bring it to life.

Building a brand through care and community

Soon after launch, Whirlylicious quickly gathered a loyal following. With thousands of Instagram followers, glowing reviews and a steady stream of happy customers, Manuela’s business is a celebration of creativity, community and joy.

“I love adding personal touches so every cake feels different,” she says. “Most of my customers are mums, but I also hear from boyfriends, husbands and grandparents. The kids are always first in line at parties but it’s the parents who place the orders!”

A close-up of a person lifting a slice of pastel-coloured candy floss cake with a utensil, showing pink, yellow, blue and purple layers

Of course, running a small business solo takes dedication. As a single mum and first-time business owner, Manuela has faced challenges along the way. “One of the hardest moments was when my Instagram account got hacked and blocked. It really set me back. What got me through were my loyal customers. They kept me going and I’ll always be grateful.”

Making delivery part of the magic

Behind the scenes, careful delivery is a key part of Manuela’s business. “Speed and reliability are essential,” she explains. “Offering peace of mind with the delivery is a big plus. Having a choice of couriers also helps. I usually stick with one but it’s good to have options when it comes to parcel sizes or destinations.”

And that’s where her local Post Office team comes in.

A person carrying a cardboard box marked 'FRAGILE' outside a Post Office branch

“Post Office is part of my community,” Manuela says. “I could have things picked up from my home but I actually like going in and dropping off my boxes. I know the team there and they know me. They’re part of my business journey.”

Manuela uses Drop & Go, a fast-track service for online sellers, which she describes as a “lifesaver.” She adds: “It saves me time and gives me peace of mind. I can focus on making and packing orders, knowing the sending side is taken care of.”

And with Whirlylicious growing fast, Manuela is already thinking bigger. “I’ve started exploring how I can expand to other countries. I’ve begun testing courier services and my big goal is to make international shipping a real part of my business.”

A pair of hands placing a round, sealed, pink candyfloss cake labelled 'Whirlylicious' into a cardboard box

Selling online? We can help with that

Whether you’re a seasoned online seller or just getting started, your local Post Office branch can help support your business in many ways.

Sending your parcels:

  • Drop & Go: A quick-drop service for frequent senders, Drop & Go allows you to drop off parcels with Royal Mail, Parcelforce Worldwide, DPD or Evri, where available. Simply check with your local branch to see which services they provide. Sign up for a free Drop & Go account to get started
  • Parcels Online: Make bulk shipping easier with Parcels Online. Simply connect your account with marketplaces like Amazon, eBay and TikTok to import your orders and sort the postage online. Then, drop off your parcels at your local Post Office branch when you’re ready to send them
  • Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide: Trusted names for over 500 years, Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide offer reliable UK and international delivery with a low carbon footprint. Choose from next day, tracking and signature options. Available in all 11,500+ Post Office branches
  • DPD services: Fast and reliable with 99% on-time delivery, DPD offer one-hour delivery slots, photo confirmation and parcel redirection en route. Available in selected Post Office branches
  • Evri services: An affordable tracked option, Evri deliver 98% of parcels on time and provide photo confirmation. Parcels can also be redirected in transit if needed. Available in selected branches
  • Drop-off services: Even if you’re selling through a platform that includes postage as part of the transaction, you can still drop off your items at a Post Office branch. Check the platform’s settings and choose a postage option with a courier we accept at your preferred branch. That way, you can send off everything you’ve sold in one convenient place with no need to visit multiple drop-off points

Banking services:

  • Run a business? Pop into your local Post Office branch to pay in cash or cheques from in-person sales. We offer banking services services most UK accounts to help you manage your money easily

A person with curly hair behind a glass partition, with a computer and a red poster in the background

Meet the postmaster and the team

"My local Post Office team are brilliant. They’re always friendly, helpful, and they understand how important timing is for small businesses like mine,” Manuela says. “They’re part of how my business works on a day-to-day basis, and they’re part of my community. I’ve known them for years and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Explore our tips and guides for online sellers

Selling online

Sending and banking services

  • Drop & Go

    Sending items often? Save time and easily keep track of what you send with our fast drop-off mails service. It’s free to sign up

  • Parcels Online

    Compare services and prices from different carriers. Pay for postage online. Then drop parcels off at any participating Post Office branch

  • Banking services

    Access your bank account at thousands of Post Office branches. Pay in cash and cheques, make withdrawals or check your balance

More about posting

How to pack a parcel
How to send a parcel
Sending valuables safely
How to send internationally
Lost and damaged items
Postage compensation
Man holding cardboard parcels and smiling at the camera, with a woman in the background looking at a laptop in a home setting.

A clear returns policy: tips every online seller should know

When you run your own online store, your products could end up in homes all over the UK, even around the world. But there’s one thing all sellers must face eventually: ...

 Person sitting on a sofa writing in a notebook while using a laptop, with charts visible on the screen; a smartphone, calculator, and folder are on the table nearby.

5 tips to grow your online business and be more productive

Work smarter not harder as you grow your online seller business with these tips from confidence coach and Drop & Go user Tiwalola Ogunlesi.

 A man sitting at a workbench in a pottery studio with various pottery tools, brushes, and several pieces of pottery in different stages of completion.

Selling your homemade creations online and locally

Whether you’re into making candles, greetings cards or customised gifts, turning your hobby into a side hustle has never been easier. And we're here to help you get ...

 A person packing parcels in cardboard boxes

How to sell on Amazon UK Marketplace

Have you ever dreamt of quitting the 9 to 5 for a more relaxed way of working? One route to a better work-life balance may be selling online.

 a smiling person surrounded by parcels with a smartphone and laptop

How to get started selling online

Learn how to start selling online and make extra money. This guide covers how to set goals, pick the right platform and make sure what you sell reaches customers safely. ...

 man and lady taping up a box together

Why your packaging matters when you sell online

The right packaging protects your products, builds customer trust and can save your business money. And we can help with that. Read our guide to help get it right for ...

 A person holding a smartphone is taking a photo of a yellow dress and a beige hat placed on a round table.

How to sell your preloved items on Vinted

Want to make a little extra money, clear some space in your wardrobe or a bit of both? Enter Vinted, the online marketplace for buying and selling preloved clothes.

Save time with this easy Vinted drop-off hack

Tired of dropping off parcels in different places? This simple hack lets you send all your Vinted parcels from one Post Office branch, saving you time and hassle.

 Two individuals standing in a clothing market with colourful garments.

How to post your items internationally

Sending letters or parcels abroad? Whether it’s a birthday gift, business letter or parcels of different sizes you’re posting to customers, we can help with that.

 A person sitting at a table working on a laptop, in a room with modern decor.

Getting your business found online: the power of search

Promoting your business or side hustle digitally is a great way to attract new customers. But working out the best way to do it can be confusing. We can help that.

 A person sitting at a table with a laptop, holding a mug, surrounded by various pottery items and plants

Choosing the right courier for your needs

Whether you’re fulfilling regular orders or only sending items now and then, you’ll want to know you’re getting the right postage service at the right price. We can help ...

 Two individuals engaged in a collaborative work session at a table.

How to sell on eBay

Are you wondering how to make some extra money on the side? Or perhaps you’re thinking of changing your career path? One area to consider is online selling.

 A delivery person hands a package to a smiling homeowner outside an open front door.

Why parcel tracking matters when you’re selling online

Providing parcel tracking details helps keep your customers happy, your reputation shining and your profits growing. It shows buyers where their item is and helps ...

 a person decluttering a sofa with too many pillows

8 ways to declutter your home and make extra cash

Thinking about decluttering your home? As well as helping create a calmer space, clearing out your unwanted things could even put some extra money in your pocket.

 Two people in a workshop wearing aprons, one holding a tray of small clay objects, surrounded by shelves filled with tools and supplies

Online seller stories: Bob and Julie, founders of Corby Kilns

Bob and Julie, the husband-and-wife duo behind Corby Kilns, have been at the heart of the UK’s pottery community for almost three decades.

 A child holding a pencil sits at a table with an adult wearing a 'SMELL-A-LICIOUS' sweatshirt

Online seller stories: Jade, founder of Smell-A-Licious

Meet Jade, the creative force behind Smell-A-Licious, the handmade wax melt brand that’s designed to fill your home with happiness.