Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Vivas.
Sara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m originally from Mérida, Venezuela. I’m an only child and was raised in a family that loves to cook and gather around the table for every celebration. Looking back, I believe that’s where my love for food and my passion for bringing smiles to people through desserts began.
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been an entrepreneur. In third grade, I sold stickers at school. During summer vacations at my grandmother’s house, I made popcorn and sold it around the neighborhood. I sold chocolate ice cream, and whenever no one could take me to the grocery store to buy supplies, I would pick fruit from a nearby tree, tiny berries we call *guayabitas*, package them, and sell those too. No one in my family was particularly happy about my little fruit business, especially since almost every house on the block had the same trees. Somehow, people still bought them from me. To this day, I’m not sure why, but they did!
My family moved several times during my childhood, living in three different cities before finally settling in a small but charming town where both of my parents grew up and where most of my family still lives today.
I finished high school there before moving away for college. I earned degrees in Accounting and Law, graduating in 2014 and 2016.
While I was in college, my dad enrolled me in a fondant cake decorating class. I fell in love with it immediately. I started making cakes for family and friends, and little by little it grew into a side business.
At the time, my schedule was incredibly busy, so weekends became my bakery time. Eventually, I partnered with one of my cousins and together we created *Viva Reposteria*. I focused on cake decorating while she helped expand the menu and production. We participated in local fairs and markets, and our main kitchen operated out of my aunt’s house.
In 2017, I moved to the United States. A couple of years later, once I was settled, I started offering cakes to friends again. That’s when Vivas Bakery was born.
Today, Vivas Bakery is a home-based bakery specializing in custom cakes and desserts. My favorite medium is still fondant because it allows me to create detailed and artistic designs, but I also enjoy working with buttercream and other decorating techniques.
In 2023, I leased a small storefront inside Willow Bend Mall in Plano, alongside a Venezuelan restaurant concept called Arepa Station. Unfortunately, before we could fully launch the bakery, we had to close both businesses. The mall was struggling, and it simply wasn’t the right time. Although the bakery space was fully designed and equipped, with signage, computers, and everything ready to go, the project never officially opened.
Even so, I never stopped baking. I continued growing Vivas Bakery from home, building my client base, expanding my menu, and introducing new desserts and treats.
Today, Vivas Bakery continues to grow, and one of my newest projects is a self-service dessert fridge located inside The Nook restaurant in Celina, Texas. There, customers can enjoy a rotating selection of cakes, desserts, and sweet treats made fresh by Vivas Bakery.
For me, baking has never been just about cake. It’s about celebrating milestones, creating memories, and bringing people together around something sweet, just like my family did when I was growing up.
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?
I don’t think any success story follows a smooth path. Life happens, and sometimes it brings challenges you could never have prepared for.
One of the hardest moments in my life was losing my dad just one month after receiving my Accounting degree. He was a huge part of my life, my biggest supporter, and my protector. Losing him at such an important stage of my life was incredibly difficult.
Later came another kind of grief: leaving my family and my country behind in search of a better future. When you grow up surrounded by love, stability, and happy memories, leaving your home is never part of the plan. Being forced to make that decision because of political and economic circumstances is bittersweet. You leave hoping for new opportunities, but you also leave pieces of your heart behind.
Starting over in a new country came with its own challenges, a new language, a new culture, new friendships, and learning how to build a life from scratch. Since moving to the United States, I have lost family members whom I never had the chance to see again. I think that is one of the hardest parts of living far away from the people you love.
There were also professional challenges. As I mentioned before, the bakery storefront project at the mall was a dream that never had the opportunity to fully begin. We invested time, money, energy, and excitement into something that ultimately wasn’t meant to happen.
But through every challenge, every disappointment, and every new beginning, I have learned something valuable. Those experiences have shaped who I am today. More than anything, they have taught me resilience and shown me what I am capable of overcoming.
Looking back, I’m grateful not for the struggles themselves, but for the person they helped me become.
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 co-owner of The Nook restaurant in Celina alongside my husband. It was originally his dream, but we built it together right before COVID, which made the journey both challenging and rewarding. I spend several days a week there helping wherever I’m needed and supporting the day-to-day operations.
Outside of the restaurant, my main focus is Vivas Bakery, my home-based bakery business. Most of my time is spent in the kitchen creating custom cakes, developing new desserts, and preparing treats for my self-service dessert fridge. Whether it’s a cake for a special celebration or a simple dessert that brightens someone’s day, I truly enjoy creating products that bring people together and make moments a little sweeter.
Any big plans?
Right now, my main focus is growing awareness of Vivas Bakery, reaching more people, and continuing to build a strong reputation within the community. I believe growth happens one customer at a time, and I want to make sure I keep providing quality products and great experiences as the business expands.
One thing I’ve learned from past experiences is that big projects often come with big risks. Because of that, I’m approaching the future thoughtfully and intentionally. For now, I’m focused on strengthening the foundation of my business, growing my customer base, and creating new opportunities.
When the time feels right and I have the resources to do it comfortably, I would love to explore the possibility of opening a storefront. It has always been a dream of mine, but I’ve learned that timing is just as important as vision.
Another area I would love to expand is teaching. Over the years, I have taught both private students and groups, and I have also been hired to teach fondant and cake decorating techniques. Sharing what I’ve learned with other bakers has been incredibly rewarding. Teaching allows me to combine two things I love: creativity and helping others grow. In the future, I would love to offer more classes, workshops, and educational opportunities for aspiring cake decorators and home bakers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vivasbakery.com
- Instagram: @vivasbakery
- Facebook: Vivas Bakery
