Today we’d like to introduce you to Dariana Villegas.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up I had a bit of a rough upbringing. My father wasn’t in the picture much and to say my mother was a little too young to have kids is an understatement. When I was seventeen years old I left my mother’s house due to so much drama, and animosity, as a teenager your life is already a bit of a mess due to hormones, and the pressure of everyone questioning you with “ what are you going to do with your life “ so adding the drama that came with my mother was a bit to much to deal with. It was a little depressing, and stressful but also freeing. I quite literally remember spending my 18th birthday by myself in a hotel room watching an episode of “Friends” with a $10 cake from Kroger; this was also amidst the beginning of Covid-19 so you can definitely imagine the isolation I was in. Sooner rather than later my friends began to realize my situation of homelessness, and due to COVID I lost my job. I started couch surfing and eventually a couple of my friends parents got wind of my situation. I lived with one of my friends for a little over a month then moved down the street to another friend and lived with them for awhile. I remember feeling like I was finally apart of something, like this is what a family was supposed to look like, don’t get me wrong with 3 teenage girls living teenage girls living together we definitely had our arguments; however it was honestly some of the happiest moments of life. As graduation was approaching I started to reach out to my dads side of the family in hopes that they could possibly take me in, I reached out to my uncle and he took me in almost immediately. Now let’s just say I always had a sweet tooth, I was never one to skimp on a little sweet treat. When living with my mother I was always the baker of the family; except my baking mostly consisted of Betty Crocker mix boxes. So living with my aunt and uncle i was taught many life skills. One of which was baking and cooking from scratch. So when I finally left on my own I became the baker of all my groups, friends, family, co workers,etc. Eventually life caught up to me at the age of 19 when I met my now husband. We met as a blind date that was only supposed to be a date of passion.. however we are now two kids deep, and newly home owners so my advice is sometimes the most unexpected person in your life can be exactly what you needed. In the blink of an eye my life did a complete 180 in the span of a year, I went from working as a CNA, going out every weekend till about 3am to being pregnant and waking up at 3am with heartburn and morning sickness. My husband and his family are very traditional so when it came down to us having kids being a stay at home mom was kinda expected; that and the fact that during my first trimester with my son I had a subchorionic hemorrhage kinda sealed in my fate. I have always enjoyed being being a stay at home mom but I did miss the idea of working and making money. So I decided to take my love for sweet treats and make it into a business. Living in a small town there’s many home business so I knew that if I wanted to stand out I’d have to be different. I started off with just making any and every dessert in the book, until I started doing farmers markets then it came to my attention that my best sellers were always my macarons. I ran with that and became a macaron only baker, I specialize in making custom Swiss macarons, which is ironic because I remember when I started making them I would always say I’m never making these pain the read cookies again. Starting my business was a bit scary but I always had the support of my husband and his family. Anytime I would doubt myself or think of quitting on myself he always lifted me up and told me to keep going. So listeners and customers you can thank him for me being able to deliver these beautiful treats to you guys. Honestly life has been everything other than predictable and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would have to say for the most part the road has been paved smoothly. Starting out was a bit scary, your entering a world of competition. Some bakers have brighter colors, exotic flavors, better designs so you constantly live in the state of “ I need to be better “ however I’ve never been one to crack under pressure. I look back on all of my earlier designs and macarons and I see the creative growth I’ve made. In my eyes the way life goes is you either let the pressure get to you or you take it and turn it into ambition. As long as you love and have passion for everything you make it will always be noticed.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a macaron baker, I specialize mostly in custom macarons. Anyone can by a box of macarons at their nearest grocery store, however more times than not you can’t make it special or your own; and that’s where I come in. I love trying new techniques and combinations; in my opinion that’s when I work the best. There’s nothing wrong with traditional macarons but I love when a customer comes to me with an idea and gives me creative freedom, you just kinda let the ideas and the inspiration come to you and your hands bring it to life. I’m not proud of my earlier days of starting my business, I remember just having this feeling of “ I just need to make it!” But didn’t know how, I’m not exactly sure when it happened but at some point my business took a turn and I made it. I’m proud that I never gave up on myself. I’m also proud of my customers, it’s not always easy trusting a home baker because sometimes what you see isn’t what you get; however over the year I’ve going “regulars “ that order on a bi weekly or monthly basis. I wouldn’t be where I am without their trust.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I think life is all about risk taking. Life is just a constant game of “ would you rather ?”. Whether you see it or not everyday from the minute you wake up you’re faced with a question. “ should I make coffee or pick one up ?” “ what should I eat for breakfast?” “Where are my keys?” Most of the biggest decisions ive ever made were based off of taking a chance. I took the chance on buying a house, starting my business, getting married. All of which have been scary but have worked out in the end, you have to believe that every risk you take is for the better. Not only for yourself but everyone around you.
Pricing:
- Basic macarons $12 the dozen
- Customized macarons $15 the dozen
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darisdeliciousdesserts?igsh=cW0xMDk5a21oNTU%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1XoTsgwzNK/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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