Today we’d like to introduce you to Cinthia (Ciindiie) Espinoza.
Hi Cinthia (Ciindiie), thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was younger.. probably around 11 years old I started getting into baking. I’d bake cupcakes ALL the time. I remember my dad use to take us to the dollar store and instead of buying a toy or a snack, I’d buy cake mix and the premade frosting. Then I’d go home and bake for my family. My mom would always get so mad because I’d use her oil and eggs. As I grew older I grew a passion for baking. I did culinary arts for 4 years which kind of opened new doors and opportunities for me. With doing classes & internships I was able to learn more about commercial kitchens. I got the chance to dip my toes into a real kitchen with real life experiences. I’m a hands on learner so this definitely helped in the long run. I enjoy cooking, but baking is a passion. It wasn’t until around covid when I started to take things a lot more serious. I think tik tok had a big influence on me. I’d watch videos and tutorials. I had so much time on my hand that I just started baking and practicing everything that caught my eye. I’d go on Facebook marketplace and promote myself. At the time I had lost my job, I was living on my sisters couch.. Daysi would always tell me to sell some cookies or cupcakes.. At first, I was scared.. because I didn’t think I’d get anything out of it. I never really saw the potential in me. I remember her giving me $50 to start buying stuff I needed for my business. The first day I sold $120 worth of baked goods. I gave her $50 and spent the rest on stuff to buy for the next day. The next day I sold the same amount. I kept $50 to buy ingredients and saved the rest. Eventually I made enough to buy more and sell more. Now I don’t sell as much baked goods and desserts because I’ve moved towards cakes but every now and then I still have bake sales. Looking back, Im so glad my sister motivated to do that. I think she saw a vision and just ran with it. Which I’ll forever be thankful for. Till this day, she’s still my number one supporter.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been smooth.. I think one of my biggest struggles is I often feel like I’m not supported, at least not in the way I feel I needed to be supported. I often sit there and think.. what if I had help? Especially on days when I’m already overwhelmed or things don’t run as smoothly. What if I didn’t have to ask for certain favors.. I am a one man band. I do everything on my own. Aside from working a full time job, I think I struggle with telling people no. I love making people’s days. I love making people happy. But with that I’ve also had to learn to slow down. Rest. Sometimes if I can’t do it, I can’t do it. I shouldn’t have to stress myself in order to make others happy. At some point I also would get frustrated with myself because I’d feel like I wasn’t good enough.. I hated my work.. and I felt like I couldn’t do certain techniques or certain designs and as much as I’d attempt to do them I couldn’t get them down. I eventually found my style of cakes and my desserts that sold and I think it’s a lot easier now to say no to a customer because their request is not something I’m comfortable doing.. than to say YES to every order. Which definitely takes some weight off my shoulders. I seem to be able to handle things a lot easier now. I feel like I’ve gotten to a point where I’m happy with doing the cakes I do, do.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a baker/treat maker. I specialize in custom cakes. But I offer dessert tables, Dessert Carts, Snack Carts, Cookies, Cookie Cakes, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Muffins, Pastries, Chocolate Dipped Treats, Mini Pancake Bar, pretty much any baked good/ Sweet Treat. Recently, My dad built me a dessert/snack car. Which is a huge blessing within itself. I see people pay upwards of $500 for custom made carts.. and to have a dad who could just build it for free just so I could continue growing my business was a huge blessing for me. I am definitely known for my cakes & mini pop up sales. I started doing a lot more vendor marts. So that has definitely helped with growing my business because it gives me the chance to talk to people a little bit about what I do. It also helps with marketing. I’m able to pass out business cards and show people my work. I’ve gotten a lot of traction with orders from pop up markets. A lot of people know me as the baker who LOVES to take last minute orders. Most people usually ask for cake orders months in advance and I don’t normally. Sometimes people will contact me a week before and I always try to make it happen. I feel like I thrive under pressure with the chaotic life I live. I enjoy a good challenge. I am most proud of my business and how I started from nothing and have grown a pretty decent amount of supporters. I’m not a big corporation.. I’m not Carlos Bakery. But, as someone who comes from nothing.. I have no one to look up to that has their own business. I think being first generation and having the opportunity to set standards for the rest of the family is a huge step forward not just for me but for my entire family.. I don’t think I had ever imagined to be in the position I am in right now.. not even in the slightest. I think I’ve always wanted to do something that was greater than myself. AND THIS IS IT. Sometimes after a long day of orders or an event I sit here and think.. wow.. I did it. Another one in the books. Because I would’ve never imagined 11 year old me who was getting in trouble for using my moms eggs would be where I am. Just to sit here and be satisfied and blessed to have been chosen to help with any special occasion means a lot to me. I mean I’ve been able to do so many things and meet so many new people who have taught me so much. I’ve met so many people who say “oh I love the cake you did for ______.”. It’s one of the best feelings in the world. Or walking around at any party or get together and getting compliments on the cakes or dessert.. or getting asked about an inquiry. It’s one of the best feelings. I’m really just proud of myself and how I’ve managed to grow sooo fast. Especially, in the past 9 months. I went from 1 order every two weeks or once a month.. to 5-8 orders every week.. & doing it all alone. I often get asked when I’m going to open a store front and I think once that happens I’ll really be set.. I think it would help with wanting to give back to my parents. They sacrificed so much for us growing up. Especially my mom. As a single mother she was always my inspiration to want more but with wanting more meant working more and working towards everything you want in life because nothing is ever handed to you. I think that’s what sets me apart from others. I see a lot of successful businesses owners who do it for themselves. I want to do it for my family. My parents, my sisters.. although I’m one person.. my success wouldn’t be what it was without my family. That’s why I appreciate their support, their kind words and most importantly their motivation. They keep me going. Every single one of my sisters plays a role in keeping me going. My brother in laws do too! On days when I’m feeling down they know exactly how to lift me back up.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
In the next 5-10 years.. I do hope to have my own store front. Whether that be a cake store, a cookie shop, or even a cafe. I think only time will tell. I have been eye balling a mobile coffee trailer for pop up events. That way I can sell seasonal baked goods and coffee/Drinks which is also something I enjoy doing.. Especially during the fall and winter seasons. I do hope that in the future I am able to help my mom and have her quit her full time job and become my second pair of hands.. it’s hard for her to do that because she’s scared of taking her chances on me.. but I think with the way things are moving now.. I don’t see why she wouldn’t be able to do that. She’s my best friend and I love having her around. She’s helped with events. She’s never actually learned to frost cakes or bake cookies but she always has a close eye when I’m doing stuff. I always tell people she’s living too. We’re both growing up together. I don’t know where I’d be without her. She’s the one who always says I need to open our own place. I’d love to have a family owned business. I’d love my aunts and grandma to come and help with baked goods. Especially the more traditional ones. I’d love my sisters to be able to run the front. I come from a family who is AMAZING in the kitchen. Like beyond talented. I’d really love to share a space where we’d all be able to grow together. That’s the goal.
Pricing:
- $40/Dz Sugar Cookies
- $55 Min 8” cake
- $90 12” Vintage Heart Cake
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Photographer: Bycelinanicole
