Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Jimenez.
Nancy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today?
I feel like this happened overnight! For almost five years, I worked at an amazing company in Dallas in a management position. The team of individuals I worked with became almost like my second family in the sense that we worked together, but we also looked out for one another. I’ve always made desserts for my friends and family, and my coworkers were no different. During our office potlucks, I was always asked to make the desserts and, if I’m being honest, I loved making these little creations.
Like one of those scenes in a movie where the main character is hit with a sudden stroke of pure genius, I would have periodic “Eureka!” moments. I started playing around with different ingredients, chaining up my go-to recipes, and the more compliments I received, the more I took on. With a support system like that, why not?
Everyone that knows me knows how much I love birthday parties. Growing up, my parents didn’t have much, but that never stopped them from making my birthday feel so special. Because of this, and because of everything my parents did for me, I grew up knowing that this was the type of parent I always wanted to be. Last year, I decided to take on my daughter’s birthday treats and decorations because, come on, I’m a DIY-er. My daughter loved it! Do you know how big of hero you feel when your kids actually love your ideas?
With a sigh of relief breathed, at least until next year, I was not exactly prepared for what happened next: a friend of mine asked to hire me for her daughter’s first birthday! I was so nervous and at the same time so excited. Corporate America Monday through Friday, and Birthday Party Planner on the weekends? How is that not living the best of both worlds?
But around the same time, I received news that our contract at my “regular” job would end, making our last day September 28, 2018. I think I went through a period of denial because it never occurred to me that I needed to have filled out about 20 job applications before our offices were shuttered.
Before I knew it, it was September 29th, and I was sitting in my car holding a cookie I had made for my friend. I was so overwhelmed with mixed feelings that I did what we all do in times of emotional stress: I took to social media and posted a picture of some cookies I made, mostly to take my mind off of the reality I was currently faced with in that parking lot. What people didn’t see is that I was ugly crying in the car from losing my second family, my job, and just my sense of direction in life. But I’m a firm believer that when one door closes, another one opens.
The feedback online was tremendous, more than I ever could have imagined. I immediately started receiving orders for my custom cookies and Texas Treaties took off! I am now almost a year in, have met so many wonderful people and have unexpectedly found my passion in life!
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?
I would love to say it has, but the reality is this road has not been easy. Not in the slightest. On top of taking on this new business venture, I’ve struggled in coming to terms with being a stay-at-home mom. Honestly, I used to be that person who thought stay-at-home moms had it easier than the working moms.
I was completely wrong! I have a 10-year-old and a 4-year-old, and they are so different from each other. There have been so many times I’ve fulfilled orders that I know could have benefited had I committed my usual 110 percent to them, and like most stay-at-home mothers, I have gone days without sleep as I ensure my family has what they need. It’s been hard to admit that there were days that I didn’t have time to be a mom because I had to be a baker. I have struggled with confidence in both my work and in my ability to be the best mother possible, trying to be half the woman my own mother is with ease. I’m not about to sugarcoat it, no pun intended, but there have been several instances when I felt like quitting altogether. However, I knew that if I didn’t work through those feelings, I’d be throwing away such an amazing opportunity.
Texas Treaties – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Texas Treaties is a home-based bakery in Garland, although it has quickly expanded to all parts of the greater DFW Metroplex. I’m currently baking dozens of cookies a week, so I guess you can say custom decorated cookies took over! There are so many bakers in Texas, and it’s just as competitive as any other market whether it’s home-based or set up in a storefront of any number of local shopping centers. It’s something new for me, and I still have a lot to learn.
However, one thing I take tremendous pride in is my ability to provide great customer service. From the time my customers place their order, to the time they pick it up, I always strive to deliver the utmost care and quality my clients deserve. This is where I am thankful to have spent over a decade in customer service: you can’t really teach someone a customer-focused commitment like that. It’s something you feel inside; you have to really care about every little detail of your work and the person or people the finished product is intended for.
Texas Treaties is just that. It’s a little bit of me, my family, and my overall love for sweets.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The majority of my customers have found me through social media. But I have such amazing customers, and they have never hesitated to refer their friends and family members who may not even have a social media account of their own.
Recently, I happened to be waiting in line at Michaels while I was talking on the phone about a cookie order. Admittedly, I was kind of multi-tasking before it was my turn to checkout, but then I felt someone tap my shoulder and ask me, “Is this you?” She had a picture of my cookies pulled up on her phone! I did a double-take because, come on now, who wouldn’t feel like a million bucks looking back at themselves and the business they created on a complete stranger’s phone? I was totally on Cloud Nine, but after I came back down to Earth, I realized she somehow knew about Texas Treaties.
Since that time, she has placed two orders and has another one scheduled for August! The fact that someone can recognize you from your work and what others have kindly said about you… that right there is my proudest moment thus far, no contest.
Pricing:
- Custom Cookies-$32 and up
- Individual Cookies-$3 and up
- Dessert Tables-$75 and up
Contact Info:
- Email: texastreaties@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/texastreaties
- Facebook: www.facebook.com
Image Credit:
Texas Treaties
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