Today we’d like to introduce you to Yessenia Chavez.
Hi Yessenia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Im not sure where to start but I’ve loved baking and the pastry world since I was little. My grandfather was a baker in Mexico and even though he passed away before I was born I like to think that it’s the part of him that lives on in me. I went to the art institute in Las Vegas for my associates in baking and pastry. Right after school I went straight into the field learning from the best how to make all kinds of desserts. In 2020, I lost my job when the world shut down. Overnight, stability disappeared, and I was left questioning how I would survive and whether I could keep doing what I loved.
I began selling cakes and desserts on Instagram to help pay rent. It started slowly, filled with doubt, but people showed up, ordered again, and believed in me before I fully believed in myself.
I chose not to return to working on the Las Vegas Strip. Instead, I focused on growing my home business and took part-time work when needed.
While buying supplies for my business, I met Tanya at her cake supply store. I was looking for part-time work, and she gave me a chance at both her supply store and donut shop, eventually promoting me to store manager. Her belief in me helped rebuild my confidence.
In 2023, Tanya asked me to move to Dallas to help open her new donut shop, Rings Donuts. Over the next two and a half years, I learned to run a business, lead a team, taught pastry classes, and continued taking cake orders for friends. She later invited me to become her business partner and help open a second Rings Donuts location in Colleyville, Texas. I’m so grateful and excited for the next chapter in life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. I never knew where life was heading. I always felt like I was just doing what I was supposed to do. While working in the pastry industry I was always one of the best workers but never felt noticed. It’s where I think I lacked confidence and why I wasn’t noticed. That always made it hard and never felt good enough. Once i started my own business and pushed my self out of my comfort zone I started to really feel like I was growing. When I moved to Dallas I was met with the struggles of finding a good team. For a long time it was just me and one other employee running the donut shop. It was so tiring and it got to me mentally. I didn’t give up and try to see the positive in everything
We’ve been impressed with Rings Donuts , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We specialize in classic raised(yeast) donuts and cake donuts. We have a special recipe that Tanya has had in her family since her Dad started their donut business. You can never go wrong with a classic glazed donut but my favorite (at the moment) is out cake crumb donut. It’s out spiced cake donut crumbled up with added cinnamon and tossed over a freshly glazed donut. So good! I believe what sets us apart from other donut shops is that we care. We care about the ingredients to make the best donuts , we care about giving our customers a welcoming experience and we care about our staff. It is all personal. That’s what I’m proud of mostly is that I feel we make true connections. I’m proud to be part of this team. We also off custom donuts from your letter donuts to any themed donut you can think of. Our donut shop is clean and always ready with donuts and coffee for your morning stop or spend time with the family.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Being positive and dedicated
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ringsdonuts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insweetpursuit.withcakefairy?igsh=NmE1Nm5qem8yMGV2&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/ringsdonuts?igsh=dXA0N3J4ZzgwcXo1
