Today we’d like to introduce you to Frances Sanchez.
Hi Frances, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my business in October of 2017 to do some Halloween cake pops and cookies. Looking back at those pictures, they are not the cutest but it is where I started it all. So many of my family members supported me from the start and I am very thankful for them. After my first sale, I knew that’s what I wanted to do not as a hobby but as my job. So I quit the pastry chef job that I had and followed my dream of becoming my own boss. It took a bit for my name to get out there but my little business was growing. I was getting orders every week and that helped me keep on going. My business was going very good until the pandemic started and that brought everything down. I went from having orders every week to maybe one every month. It was hard times but I always think that everything happens for a reason. Now here I am, having every weekend booked and having to turn away people. I love my job and would not trade it for anything in the world.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. When the pandemic hit it brought down a lot of small family-owned businesses and I was one of them. But even with just one order a month, it helped me stay positive and that everything would be alright. Those were hard times for everyone and I am so glad that I am still here doing what I love the most.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a pastry chef I graduated from the Culinary Institute Lenotre because I knew I wanted to pursue desserts. Once I graduated, I got an opportunity to work for Jim crane in one of his restaurants and I am so thankful for that. Now I work from home and do custom sugar cookies, cake pops and cakes. I am extremely proud of how much I have improved in both my style of decorating and my business overall. What sets me apart from others is that I do all of this for the customer. I love when I take out the treats for them and the look on their faces when they see my work. Especially when they have little kids, I love when they get so excited because of a little cookie or cake pop.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My mentor has always been my mom. She graduated from the same culinary school. And when I saw her graduate, I knew I wanted to be like her when I grew up. She also had a catering business so watching her run it helped me so much. How she would talk to her customers and go above and beyond what they asked for. Because of her, I am what I am today and I will forever be grateful. Having to juggle 2 jobs and raising 3 daughters on her own could not have been easy. But she did it all for us. Everything she did was for us and I just hope I’m half of how she is. Because she is a great mentor and role model. But most of all she is an amazing mom.
Pricing:
- Basic cookie sets start at $35
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Fnfsweets4u
Image Credits
Andrea Valeria
