Today we’d like to introduce you to Giselle Hauser
Hi Giselle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
A Perfect Love Story:
Guzel Cakes started off as a Labor of Love in 2018, when I was laid off my job. I worked in the Oil and Gas industry for 17 years. Although, I was making great money, I couldn’t compete with the economy and it’s consistent layoffs. After losing everything, I was humbled and I finally took a chance on myself. I decided to put my all into something, to see what would happen. On a Friday night, I decided to bake a cake (my first one ever) and on Monday morning I went to the courthouse and filled for my DBA. Because, I decided to bet on myself, these years in business has been such a rewarding experience.
What kept me going, was that I received a ton of messages that were filled with encouragement, LOVE, and unwavering support on Instagram! The fact that I had celebrities and public figures such as James Harden, John Gray, Christi w/Yummy Bites, and Lindsey Granger, just to a name few, indulge and enjoy my product, made me push myself even harder. Keep in mind, during this time I was a one woman show for 98% of the time during this journey and it was not easy. Because the demand grew rapidly, I had to rent a larger kitchen, hire employees, and this then took my business to the next level. It was also a pivotal moment for me knowing that I had a major retailer such as HEB ready to carry my product but, in my heart I knew I was not ready YET.
After 2 years in business, while I was sleeping, I had a dream about pudding. I got out of my bed at 3am and I went to a local grocery store and purchased what I “thought” I would need to make banana pudding. On that day I created what would be a Perfect Love Story! I immediately called Loan at Pyburns and asked if I could come demo my product the next day and she said yes. On that day, I sold hundreds of units within a few hours and I then knew that in a conscious spending time like Covid, I had created something special.
I knew changing such a classic recipe was a high risk, with such an honest market but, I took a chance on creating a dessert that I was hoping my customers would fall in LOVE with. I kept telling myself food was evolving and creating something that people couldn’t deny would be something phenomenal. In that moment my puddings were created, and with that recipe, was when “Experience The Love” was born. I like to describe it as if pudding, ice-cream, and cheese-cake had a baby!
This journey all started with me wanting to put a smile on other’s face and make money at the same time. Honestly, in full transparency, my love language is to make others happy and bring them joy. In this moment, I was so grateful that everyone trusted me with their taste buds and I couldn’t ask for anything more. I have fallen madly in LOVE with a dream to be the most loved dessert company in the world. My motto to my G-Cake Lovers, is that if you ever feel that itch to start something, to dream big, and go after it. Don’t be afraid to put in the work, be kind to others, and share your gifts, to see where it leads you!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was definitely not a smooth road but, yet a humbling and beautiful experience, that I would not change for the world. I went from making a six-figure salary, to being laid off, and having to walk to a local grocery store and purchase product. At the same time I was trying to build a team and trying to keep the business afloat. After sharing my story with the management at Kroger, they were compelled to help me and they were able to offer a discounted price, since I was purchasing my product in bulk. With the support of them, I was able to hire my first employee, to support me and help me keep up with the demand of my product. It was definitely a blessing because, I had worked so much, that resulted in a terrifying health scare and I definitely needed an extra set of hands.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an independent minority owned and operated business and my entire staff is of minority women. I was able to create a product that has allowed Texans to indulge and have an unforgettable and mouth watering experience. To be able to sell my products in a reputable and prestigious company such as HEB and other local businesses, is one of the most rewarding experiences, that we have been able to accomplish thus far.
I am most proud of being able to provide a platform and be a support for others to dream big especially, for someone that came from being a homeless child. What sets me apart from others is that I did not allow my life experiences to dictate my future. I was determined to not be a victim of my circumstances and failure was not an option.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Listen to your heart and let it speak to you! Be mindful that every one around you, will need to believe in you and your vision. You have to be confident and trust that they will support you both mentally and physically and position you to stretch yourself to a capacity that you could never imagine. I have had so many people along my journey that has done just that, shout out to angels such as Chris w/Hebert’s Specialty Meats, Claude w/HEB, Loan w/Pyburns, and T Brown my personal business consultant, just to a name a few. They took a chance on me, and I will never forget that. I personally feel that being a leader is not about the number of people you manage but, truly about the number of people you are able to influence.
Also, someone along my journey told me to hire people with a purpose that can dream with you but, can also dream for themselves. I remember listening to Eric Thomas know as ET, a few years back on a podcast and he spoke about dreaming big. From that I would tell myself and others around me to multiply their dreams, times 10 and that’s still not enough! That was the birth of “Love You More” and I implemented a NO Low Pay Dream policy with myself, my team, and others around me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guzel.cakes/
Image Credits
Dula Media
