Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Buitureira.
Hi Jennifer, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
This is going to be a bit emotional! But I find that the heart of any business is built off of the toughest moments in life and turning it into something made from the heart, sleeves rolled up and ready to tackle anything!
My story begins in the throes of motherhood. I had just given birth to my first child. My daughter, Lola, is the inspiration for everything!
I had several things going on at that time. Relationship struggles, taking on a brand new identity as a mom, being away from my old job, and.. the one everyone right now is struggling with – a tight budget.
I have always been a creative. Artist. Baker. Crafter. Anything and any medium. But I really struggled with how to turn my art into something I could do for a living. I just remember my Dad telling me to keep pursuing my art! I’d tell him, “I’ll be a starving artist on the street Dad!”
And I put my art to the side as a “hobby”. Nothing too serious. No, that would be too risky.
But as I was sitting there with my sweet baby, contemplating life, I wrote a small idea in my iPhone notes. Steer decorating cookies. I didn’t expect anything to come of it. One of a thousand notes in my phone. But as I said, difficult times make the heart of a business. I needed extra income. Something just mine. To set aside. I needed something by besides just “momming”. But I didn’t want to be away at work. Away from my baby. I was torn.
So I took my greatest tool- my work ethic and all out grit and my handy dandy ChatGPT and broke down what I needed to do to start a cookie business. The multitude of cookie artists out there made me feel so less than. “You could never do that, Jen!”, They seemed to scream at me. But I don’t listen to riff raff. I listen to God. He gave me a gift. And I was supposed to do this. My first month was AWFUL. Cookie recipes covered my table. Fix this, a little more of that, less of this, bake longer, etc. My cookies were not edible. And they looked like pancakes. No resemblance to what they were cut out as! Not joking, I spent six months developing a recipe that was soft, buttery, but held its shape perfectly in the oven.
I finally had a cookie that tasted good! Better than good. Without icing! That was my first goal. A lot of cookies out there look gorgeous but are gross.
My second goal. Icing. Here we go again. Learning consistencies for each part of the cookie. Learning not to over mix icing so it doesn’t crack. Techniques for flooding with no craters! Ahhh!! But yes, I finally got it as well. Now to decorate! Let’s just say my first cookies left something to be desired. But the artistry was intrinsic in me. And in no time, I was cranking out beautiful cookies and… I had orders! Thanks to my mom, aunt, and husband, I had orders and supplies to make my first few orders. And it seemed like a dream. Extra money + Something I so loved to do. I had a few comments about women owning their own business and trying to raise children at the same time. A few sexist remarks. Women can’t be bosses, etc etc. I knew these were lies. I knew God created Lola’s Cookie Jar in my heart. I knew my Dad would be proud, God rest him.
Now it’s been two years, I decorate cookies weekly and I love making my clients happy!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Trials make the business grow. Struggles cause you to dig your heels in and truly ask yourself if you WANT it bad enough.
My struggles included postpartum depression, poor self-image, self doubt. These have been themes in my life. My husband at the time was an alcoholic and is recovered now thank the Lord. But at the time there was immense verbal abuse. And it just echoed in my mind. “You can’t do this.” “You’re weak.” “You’re not good enough.” “You can’t be a good mom and run a business.”
I realized that this was lies. From the devil. A spiritual battle. Something REALLY didn’t want this business to thrive. Or even get started. And I continued anyway. I knew this was supposed to be my path because doors opened for me immediately. I secured the funds to start a business from zero. I had immense support from my family, excluding my husband. And I had the smile of my baby girl, giving me all the joy I needed to keep going. There was a point when I was baking and decorating from my mom’s tiny home because Lola and I were displaced from our house due to domestic disputes between my husband and I. I still continued. My husband supports me extremely well now. And he is on the road to recovery. Which was a whole other story!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
From a very young ages I was drawing. With anything! With everything! I was homeschooled and they really gave me space to concentrate around art. My parents were extremely supportive of this and because of them and their love and support, I always had lessons, stacks of paper, and paint. I studied fine art all through high school and college. Because I was homeschooled, I chose to go into public school in high school to take classes in art. Plano Senior High has a great reputation for art education. Unfortunately I got stuck in art 1 because my off grid education “didn’t count” as regular credits. My peers felt I was an imposter and was just there to “show them up” because I was so beyond art 1. I was already a very reserved kid and super shy. But I’m proud that I pressed on and took a few pieces to the state competition in high school. I’m proud of my art. It’s not generic. It’s not all in one style or medium. It’s all over the place! Wood burning, painting on shoes, oil, pastel, origami, ceramics, watercolor, pen and ink, and now cookies!!!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
To be honest, it’s extremely difficult for artists to be mentored. The many that I’ve met stay in their own lane. Art is so subjective. Advice or mentorship happens in the brain of the artist themselves. Thats what makes it so unique and cool.
I have had a few fellow artist friends over the years and I love seeing everyone else’s work. Not to compare but just to see how differently each person works.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Lolas-cookie-jar.square.site
- Instagram: @Cookiesforlola
- Other: https://share.google/3S4pH73pAivzeUETv
