Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanie Paraiso-Knott.
Joanie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was a single mom, full-time employee, and successful homemaker who enjoyed blessing people with my love for cooking. I would occasionally help cater special events for my friends and family. During the holidays, year after year, my specialties, such as my gooey cinnamon rolls and delicious toffee would surprisingly steal the spotlight at every holiday function.
Paraiso Delicacies was birthed out of necessity. Eventually, I was no longer able to give these treats or services away without complete strangers inquiring of where and how they could get me to make some for them. I had friends and family members complaining about how they couldn’t even enjoy my gifted treats because as soon as word got out they had to share. Thus I was “forced” to meet the demand. I decided to take a leap of faith and do something that I’ve always wanted to do but never in my wildest dreams thought would come to pass.
I acquired an official business license under the name “Paraiso Delicacies”. Paraiso was my maiden name and it means ‘paradise’ in Spanish. My specialties had been numerously referred to as “delicacies”, hence, Paraiso Delicacies, or Delicacies of Paradise.
For the first few years, I sold my chocolate almond toffee solely during the holidays. Soon, people heard that I had become official and the first few orders started rolling in. I was amazed at the response! I was doing what I loved and people really loved my creations.
Eventually, I perfected my cinnamon rolls and created quite a few other varieties and began selling those to local coffee shops and cafes. While I am pleased with the ways things are going my real goal is to hopefully own my own bed and breakfast or at the very least a storefront where people can come enjoy all of my creations.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
While it has been a relatively smooth journey for me, the bumps along the way have come in the form of an appropriate and consistent prep kitchen as well as a venue for my products. Although, I am my own boss I still have to use the middleman or the coffee shop to debut my creations. I value all of my clients but it is not my ideal situation. I would much rather have my own place of business where I can really explore my creativity and experience the customer’s reactions first hand.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Paraiso Delicacies story. Tell us more about the business.
I make and deliver a variety of homemade baked goods for individuals as well as coffee shops and cafes. My most beloved items are my cinnamon rolls. Throughout my culinary voyage, I’ve realized that most people are looking for comfort.
They want real food with simple yet rich flavors that bring them back to a warm memory or help them create a new one. I love that my recipes are tried and true. I’m not trying to impress people with new and exciting but with the satisfaction of an age-old classic done well and with love.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I was blessed with a natural talent in cooking and have always had the support of friends and family that believed that I was able to do what has always been the desire of my heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: paraisodelicacies.com
- Phone: 619-871-3779
- Email: paraisodelicacies@gmail.com
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