Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Cortes.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Stephanie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am originally from Monterrey, Mexico. I love my Mexico and I had a pretty good life being an elementary teacher there, but I wanted to try something new. So, two years ago, I had the amazing opportunity to move here and continue working as a teacher.
Since I was a little girl, my mother taught me how to bake. She loved to try new recipes and I was always very curious when she was prepping something, sniffing around, trying to guess what she was doing. One day she told me she was going to teach me everything from setting the ingredients and even turn a gas oven on. At that moment, I was nine and I guess she thought I was old enough to finally learn her magic, I don’t know… I just knew that was my lucky day. Time passed and there wasn’t a single day in which I didn’t want to be at that place that made me feel like an explorer but at the same time like a grown-up, that place was our kitchen. From there on, I have always enjoyed having a dessert at home. Dessert time became our happy quality time. When I was 14, my mom passed away and that day, I had a cheesecake ready for friends and family who came over. Weird thing to do in Mexico because I was supposed to be grieving while my family members were supposed to come and comfort us. Baking was my way of keeping it together back then.
Mom left but her magic stayed with me. I kept on trying new desserts just like she taught me, and I kept on always having something sweet at home. My friends and family always enjoyed them and started asking for some of my desserts. That’s when I decided to take it seriously and make it a profession to gain more techniques and knowledge. So, two years ago, I got certified as a patisserie chef and baker. In the meantime, I was proudly serving some birthday, graduation and home celebration events in Mexico. It was my own way of saying goodbye to my beautiful country.
Now that I moved to Dallas, I started giving it some structure. Having a name, a logo, social media for the business and so on! I’m proud to say that in a very short time I already have constant clients, a small list but that’s how we all start, right?
What characterizes my desserts is that homemade flavor I’m always careful about keeping but always looking for the best ingredients, and now with professional techniques. Having an outstanding dessert is all about being passionate, plus quality ingredients… and just let it work its magic!
Great, 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?
Baking has been my passion and at the same time my outlet since I was 9 years old. Baking helps me cope with harsh situations, but it also brings the best of me and makes me be in my best mood.
A particular challenge for me was moving here to Dallas. I say particular because it was very thankful that I had the opportunity to begin this new adventure and at the same time I was really nervous. In Mexico, I already had my clients who would always buy me some o’ cakes and the ones who would always ask me what newbies I had in the oven and try them as I told them. Here I was new… which actually overthinking about it brought to my head my brand name…” the new cake on the block” because that is exactly how I felt, new but confident about my creations. Now, after a year, I am happy to say that I already have some clients and I can predict they will always be there as long as I keep showing them what I am passionate about.
My advice to someone who is starting a new business is… don’t feel bad for being the new one, embrace it and enjoy the excitement that a new journey brings!
What should we know about The New Cake on the Block? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
In The New Cake on the Block, we have many different sweets according to the occasion. We specialize in cakes, cheesecakes and small treats like brownies and cookies. But we are always innovating and trying new things. We might post something we are trying out and it might look so yummy that a client messages ordering it. Our Banana and Dulce de Leche Cheesecake is our shiny star. It’s actually hard to make one and not make another one for home. Our clients love the fact that all of our deserts are original and have that homemade taste. I am confident to say that you won’t find anything like us in any other place. Another thing our clients love is our home delivery system, it makes it easier for the client. They order it at home and get it delivered at their door.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
The first thing I would say to a woman that is starting her career would be: congratulations, you’ve made one of the hardest decisions you will ever make. A little advice would be to stop for a moment, lay back and feel all the emotions that this decision you’ve made brings to you. It might feel like a roller coaster at times, but it doesn’t matter how high or low you feel it is because there is no such thing as failure. The only failure is quitting, everything else is just learning experiences. If it gets hard (it will at times), focus on your outcomes, squeeze the joy they give you and toughen up from there.
Contact Info:
- Website: thenewcakeontheblock.com
- Email: stephanie.cortes88@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenewcakeontheblock/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenewcakeontheblock/
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