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Rising Stars: Meet Karla Caldas of Houston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Caldas.

Hi Karla, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2017, I started L’Atelier Du Brigadeiro, inspired by my passion for Brazilian culture, traditions, and the beautiful childhood memories I have of brigadeiros being part of every celebration in Brazil. Growing up, brigadeiros symbolized joy, family and happiness and I wanted to share that same feeling and experience with people here in Texas.

I first began making brigadeiros for my children’s birthday parties, and our friends immediately fell in love with them. Before long, they were asking me to create brigadeiros for their own parties and celebrations. What started as a passion project rooted in family traditions naturally grew through word of mouth and the support of our local community.

As the business evolved, I realized people were drawn not only to the flavors, but also to the elegance, presentation, and unique experience brigadeiros could bring to weddings and special events. I began connecting with venues, wedding professionals, photographers, planners, and other creatives through styled shoots and collaborations. Those relationships helped open doors to preferred vendor partnerships and allowed L’Atelier Du Brigadeiro to grow into an artisan Brigadeiro brand in Houston and San Antonio.

Today, my focus remains on creating handcrafted brigadeiros that blend Brazilian tradition with a refined and modern touch, bringing warmth, beauty, and a little piece of Brazil to every celebration.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like most small business journeys, it hasn’t always been easy, but every challenge helped us grow and evolve. One of the biggest challenges was balancing family life, a full-time corporate career, and building a business from the ground up. Starting a brand takes a lot of passion, consistency, and patience, especially when you are introducing something unique to the market.

Another challenge was educating people about Brigadeiros [ Bree-gah-day-ros]. Many customers were discovering them for the first time, so I had to not only share the Brigadeiros, but also the story, culture, and experience behind it. Thankfully, once people tasted them and saw the presentation, they immediately connected with the brand.

Growing within the wedding and events industry also took time and relationship-building. I focused on networking with venues, planners, photographers, and other local vendors, participating in styled shoots, and consistently showing up within the community. Those connections were incredibly important in helping L’Atelier Du Brigadeiro grow organically through referrals and collaborations.

Looking back, I feel very grateful for this journey because it allowed me to share a small piece of my Brazilian culture and traditions through something made with love and care. Seeing our brigadeiros become part of our customers’ celebrations and special moments has been incredibly meaningful and continues to inspire me every day.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At L’Atelier Du Brigadeiro. we specialize in handcrafted gourmet brigadeiros inspired by Brazilian traditions and elevated with an elegant and modern presentation. We create artisan gourmet Brigadeiros for weddings, events, corporate gatherings, gifting, and special celebrations, always focusing on both flavor and presentation.

We are especially known for our attention to detail, refined aesthetic, and unique flavors that bring a luxury touch to a traditional Brazilian confection. Every brigadeiro is handmade with care using premium ingredients, and we love creating dessert experiences that feel warm, memorable, and beautiful.

What I’m most proud of is being able to introduce a piece of Brazilian culture to our community while building meaningful relationships within the wedding and events industry. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our brigadeiros become part of people’s happiest moments and celebrations.

I believe what sets us apart is the combination of authenticity, artistry, and personal connection behind the brand. L’Atelier Du Brigadeiro is not just about sweets, it is about creating experiences, celebrating culture, and making every customer feel special through something handcrafted with love.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I would just like to encourage people to continue supporting small and local businesses, because behind every small business there is usually a story, a dream, a family, and a lot of passion and hard work.

For me, L’Atelier Du Brigadeiro has been a beautiful way to connect with people, share a piece of Brazilian culture, and create meaningful experiences through our handcrafted sweets. I’m truly grateful for every customer, collaboration, and opportunity that has been part of this journey.

I also hope more people continue exploring and celebrating different cultures through food, traditions, and community. Sometimes the sweetest connections begin with something as simple as sharing a Brigadeiro!

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