Today we’d like to introduce you to Griselda Trujillo-Rodarte.
Hi Griselda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Corazon De Melon Creations all started with my desire to give my children the best birthday party they could have. I was a young mom with a budget so I would try to make all the decor, treats, and sometimes cake if I could. I’d pick a theme and search Pinterest for ideas. My family grew and my husband eventually said no more parties lol so I was stuck with all these ideas in my head. Luckily family and friends always complimented on my creativity and eventually started asking for my help with their parties.
One of those times, my family actually suggested I take charge of it all and they would pay me for it and it just continued. They talked me into creating a business page to post my work and it just went from there. They’d share my work and I started getting inquiries from their family and friends. I can’t express how important it is for small businesses to have their work shared, I’m where I am today, thanks to all those loyal clients who keep putting my work out there. It’s really a huge blessing, I used to dream about this. I literally would sit there and wish people would let me create all these cakes and decor with such fun themes. The name itself is a tribute to my children as well because without them I wouldn’t be here. It sounds a little weird in English, heart of melon, but in Spanish, when someone is near and dear to you you call them your “Corazon De Melon”.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been easy. I’ve had to juggle a small business as well as life as a wife and mother. I am a momma of four kiddos and the two oldest play soccer year-round. My week consists of soccer practice and prepping for the weekend’s orders. Unfortunately, I’ve had to miss out on a lot of soccer games and championship games due to the fact that they’re played on the weekends, which happens to be my busiest days for my business as well. I often get asked how I do it all and honestly, I don’t have an answer, I just take it day by day. Thankfully I have a strong support system that includes my immediate family as well as my soccer family, who helps me out a lot! Business-wise it was hard to expand as well since it takes time for people to trust your work. I would get discouraged and doubt myself thinking my work wasn’t good because I would get inquiries but they wouldn’t come through. It definitely took a lot of hard work and time but I’m glad I’ve won my client’s trust. I just want them to love my work as much I love creating it. The whole reason I started this journey was to have an extra income to treat my kids but sometimes business gets a little heavy (praise be to God) and I have to push back plans with them. This is why I do try to take time off from my business to spend quality time and make memories with my babies. I truly hope my clients understand that.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m kind of all over the place so I love learning how to create new things weather it be decor or treats. I’m kind of a one-stop-shop, you could say. I do backdrops, treat tables, decor, treats, balloon garlands, and cakes. I’m most proud of my treat tables as it’s something I really enjoy creating and watching the ideas come to life. I love seeing all my clients posing in front of them with their family as it’s memories for a lifetime and my creations get to be a part of that. I don’t know if there’s one specific thing that I specialize in but apparently, it’s cakes, lol. I wanted to stop creating them at one point but my clients kept asking for them and it’s honestly the main thing that my business revolves around. I definitely still enjoy making them.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Hmm, that’s a good question. To me, success is being recognized for the good work that you’ve done. When you have a purpose in life and act upon it to help others. I used to question what God’s purpose was for me on this earth and I always wanted to serve others. This is what I’m meant to do, I help mommies create the best birthday for their babies through my creations. I love getting positive feedback because it motivates me to keep doing what I’m doing and it lets me know that those all-nighters were worth it. Sometimes you just have to keep pushing until you get to where you need to be.
Contact Info:
- Email: Honeydewthree@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/corazondemeloncreations
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/corazondemeloncreations
