From flavors like mint chocolate ganache, lemon delight and caramel apple, this local dessert business has everything that your sweet tooth desires.

Disastrous Desserts is a specialty desserts business created by two college students in July of 2011. Both residents of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Marina Barnett, 21, and Justine Staniszewski, 21, were inspired to start Disastrous Desserts after watching the popular television show, “DC Cupcakes.”

“My best friend (Staniszewski) and I loved watching the show ‘DC Cupcakes,’” Barnett said, “In our area we don’t have a place that does specialty cupcakes, so we thought that we would make one ourselves.”

Barnett, who is a student at Shippensburg University studying communication/journalism, enjoys owning her own business and says she is proud of what she and her best friend have created.

“I was not surprised when I found out that Marina owned her own cupcake business,” said friend and sorority sister, Chelsea Steinour. “Knowing her, it doesn’t surprise me that she would have her own little business, but it is very impressive, and I think for most people that would be pretty surprising.”

Disastrous Desserts bakes a variety of sweet treats for all sorts of occasions. Everything from bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties and even weddings. As for cost, pricing does vary depending on the number of cupcakes and the type of desserts ordered.

However, each confection is made from scratch and baked at home or at the church that both Staniszewski and Barnett attend.

“Last summer we did a fundraiser for a cheerleading team and we made a huge number of cupcakes,” Barnett said. “For that event we did most of the baking at our church, which has three ovens and plenty of counter space.”

Although, owning a business can be fun it is not always easy, especially when both owners are full-time students. Barnett said it can be stressful and there are going to be times when they are going to have to make some sacrifices for the business.

“It can be difficult sometimes,” Barnett said, “I remember in high school, my friends would hangout and I would have to miss it because I had a commitment to my business.”

Disastrous Desserts has come a long way since opening its doors and does not show signs of stopping anytime soon.

“I hope that while we do it, we continue to grow. We have had a lot of success over the last few years and I want that to continue.” Barnett said, “I imagine that once we graduate from college, we may have to stop doing it because of our jobs, but I would love to someday own a bakery.”

Since opening Disastrous Desserts, both Barnett and Staniszewski have had the chance to watch families grow and progress through their lives. Having the chance to bake goodies for people’s weddings then soon after having the chance to cater baby showers and “gender reveals” is what makes owning a bakery that much more fulfilling.

“I want people to know that we really started this thinking that it would be a short-term thing, not really expecting it to take off,” Barnett said with a smile, “We are so thankful when people order from us because it is hard to believe that we even have the cupcake business.”

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