Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniela Copenhaver.
Hi Daniela, 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.
I started Daniela’s Kitchen 2/2016 after coming back from trying out for the show MasterChef. Once I was eliminated, I came back and decided to quit my job as a transplant care coordinator and pursue my dream of being in the kitchen.
I started meal prepping, catering, and baking but 6 months in I decided that baking would be my purpose. I LOVE cooking but doing for a living was becoming difficult and I didn’t want to hate it.
I baked from 2016-2018 in a commercial kitchen, in 2019 I decided to open a small
Shop. I had used all my savings (personal and from the business) I even hired a team of 4 girls. Things were going great, busy, and then COVID hit. Profits were primarily from Beer and cupcake events and weddings. Since everything shut down, I couldn’t sustain it and lost it all by Sept 2020. I was heartbroken, something that still to
This day I can’t get over. All my savings gone and nothing to show. I closed Daniela’s Kitchen but kept my IG. In 2023 I said I need to stop being down about this, it was out of my control. I have the best customers Ever!!! Supportive, loyal, and hands down the best people. I decided to see what happens and I will start baking at a super small scale. If it’s meant to be then I will see what I can do but for not little pop-ups or just personal cakes for them will more than fine. Seeing them again, reading the messages and comments, and being back in the kitchen makes it all worth it.
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?
NOT SMOOTH AT ALL! I don’t mind hurdles it feels great when you overcome and look back and say “I am a badass” LOL however not overcoming a pandemic and losing everything you work so hard for is heartbreaking.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Baking! And Mexican-inspired cupcakes Arroz con leche
ChocoFlan
Fresas con crema
Churro
Mexican mocha
Tequila lime
Also, Beer and Cupcake pairings were a HIT! I was able to combine those two and create an awesome experience.
I stay in my line, mind my own business, I try to find different avenues but still stay true to who I am. So, make amazing bakers in this city, but thankfully we all can succeed since SD IS HUGE! 😁
What does success mean to you?
The way I define success is being good at what you do and the impact you have on others. I shut down for 3 years and yet once I posted in 2023 saying I was going to have a bake sale (in one month, I have done over 25 dozen cupcakes) that’s insane?!? Like I have always said and will always say MY CUSTOMERS mean the world to me, I would have never made it if it wasn’t for them liking my treats.
I might not have been successful in keeping my business through the pandemic but hands down I was successful with the customers I have.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Danielaskitchensd
Image Credits
Daniela
