Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Cruz.
Nancy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My freshman year of high school, I took a home economics class and we would occasionally have days where we would cook or bake something. I really enjoyed that class, and I think that’s when I started to have an interest in baking that by my junior/senior year of high school, I would make brownies and sell them to my friends. I became known as the “brownie girl”. I loved hearing the feedback on how much everyone enjoyed them that I decided to pursue my passion and go to culinary school to become a Pastry Chef. During my time in school, I grew fond of cookie decorating and would practice decorating cookies at home as much as I could. I graduated from culinary school in 2016. I began selling my cookies and started to grow my clientele, got a job at a bakery and progressed my experience while working there. I had two jobs plus my business that I left my bakery job to not feel so stressed and focus more on my business. I’m so blessed for how far I’ve come and how much my business continues to grow.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, some days I don’t get much sleep since I’ll be up late finishing up orders. Baking and decorating isn’t as easy as it looks. During the holidays, I will get very overwhelmed but I always manage to pull through it. The occasional hand cramps aren’t fun either but seeing the reactions on my customer’s faces when they receive their order makes all those struggles worth it in the end.
My advice would be to do what makes you happy and pursue that passion. Don’t be afraid, there’s always someone out there to help you. Especially in the cookie community, we all love to share tips and tricks with each other.
what should we know about The Purrfect Sweets? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The Purrfect Sweets is a home-based bakery that specializes in custom cookies for all occasions! I can also do cupcakes and simple cakes but I mainly focus on cookies at the moment. As a business owner, I am most proud of creating art that you can eat and enjoy.
What sets me apart from others is that I try to take as many orders as I can. Even when I know I’m already booked, I don’t like telling people no but I’m learning that it’s okay to say no. I put my heart and soul in each order to give my customers what they want for their special occasion.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
Yes, growing up, my mom always told my sister and I to never give up our dreams and goals. She has always supported us and been our number one fan which helped push myself with my business to achieve the goals that I hope to accomplish in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thepurrfectsweets.com
- Phone: 713-828-0724
- Email: thepurrfectsweets@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thepurrfectsweets
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepurrfectsweets
Image Credit:
Nancy Cruz
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