Today we’d like to introduce you to Fabiola Bezerra.
Hi Fabiola, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
It all started back in October 2018, when me and my former partner, Tatiana Borges, started looking at ways to mimic and generate a bread as soft and light as the french bread consumed in most of the bakeries in Brazil. It was something that we just could not find in Houston. I am an audiologist by educational background and she was an engineer who were (and still are) in love of home-baked goodies that bring family and feeling together around the table. One thing that really motivated us to step out from our comfort zone and start the business was the fact that every time we baked something to our own families or friends, people were always bringing compliments and pushing us to take our family recipes to the market.
We tried several recipes in our own home ovens until finally reaching the desired consistency and flavor of the beloved french bread that today we bring to our client’s tables. It was so good to taste again something that it was so dear to our everyday life and homes back in Brazil! When the recipe was finalized, we started to sell the bread to a limited number of close friends. That’s when we found out that we had something very unique and decided to increase production scale to the point we are today.
Several other items came on top of it like our home baked cakes, cookies, natural fermentation goodies ( sourdough bread , focaccias , etc…) and seasonal items like the beloved holiday panettone. Always with a touch of home-made love and passion for top quality and natural ingredients. Artisan style, fresh, and made from scratch following the very same recipe that took our hearts back in those days.
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?
As everything in life, there were challenges. Besides bakers, we are also mothers and wives like most of our clients. Splitting the work with our everyday tasks at home was and its never easy. it takes a lot of patience and dedication. We had to learn how to properly plan our production, marketing and sales processes in accordance with the ups and downs of our family daily life. We did, and still do all of the work! Purchasing, baking, transporting, advertising, quality control, customer engagement and all the steps that a business requires.
At first, it was only me and Tatiana without the help of family and friends would never be able to reach our current status. Several partners came to play and help. Sarah Nobre, who helped us with additional recipes and extra hands on the production. Rodrigo Bezerra, our IT support and tech mastermind.
Marilia Correa who gave us a great hand on our marketing campaign. In the beginning of 2020, Tatiana decided to pursue her previous professional career as oil and gas engineer and at the same time, the pandemic threw a whole new level of huddles on the process with all the uncertainty and impact that it brought to all of our life. Production was reduced and we even had to stop for some specific periods. Tatiana, however, had not stopped helping with the production until I was able to find new partners to join us in the journey.
That’s when Tatiana Senna, Doriane Bechtlufft and Daniela Santos, close friends who also share the passion for baking, joined me in the end of 2020.
Major additions with loving hands that gave Bakeria Goods the needed boost to continue and overcome the difficult times we all faced in the last year.
They brought fresh new recipes which are today in our menu and Tatiana and Doriane eventually became partners for the majority of 2021. Today, Bakeria Goods is run by Doriane and me, with the glad support of our family and friends.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Bakeria Goods is specialized in home-baked, artisan, made from scratch, fresh and delicious breads, cakes, cookies and seasonal items who are unique to our grand Houston market. Our Brazilian french bread is a killer! A masterpiece of freshness, flavor and softness. Made with lots of love and passion and only natural ingredients. Made to be shared and enjoyed at the table by families and friends. We love to use some local ingredients to prepare our artisan products and are positive that you will realize the influence from our regions in everything we do!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
The recognition of our work makes us move! When a client shares the joy and love that we put in our products. When a customer gets back to us and tells us how that small bite brought long memories from the past, from a long gone family relative that used to prepare such beloved goodies. When somebody who had never felt our unique taste, especially clients who are not familiarized with our Latin American / Brazilian twist, provides us a true feedback filled with compliments and excitement. It truly empowers and motivates us to keep sharing the unique passion for baking that we carry in our hearts.
Pricing:
- Brazilian French Bread – $0.70
- Cakes – $20-$40
- Cookies – $7-$10
- Sourdough Bread – $7-$10
Contact Info:
- Email: contact@bakeriagoods.com
- Website: bakeriagoods.com
- Instagram: @Bakeriagoods
- Facebook: @Bakeriagoods
Image Credits:
Marilia Correa
Fabiola Bezerra
