Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniela Copenhaver.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Having been born in Tijuana, but raised in San Diego, and growing up with a Mom and Grandmother who were both amazing in the kitchen, has provided me with insight on many different forms flavor combinations. I have a passion and unique palate to provide you with delicious desserts. After working at a hospital for 8 years, I decided to quit my job and follow my passion for baking! What started as a form of distress from work, now, I am lucky enough to call this my career!
Daniela’s Kitchen has been in business since 2/2016 after being eliminated from MasterChef top 80, I knew that I was meant to be in the kitchen, so I decided to open my business.
It first started as meal prepping, catering, private cooking & baking. After doing all that for 6 months, I knew it was too much to handle, so I decided to just focus on baking since I knew I could really let my creativity flow.
I started developing unique cupcakes flavors( ChamangoLoco, Vaso de Elote, Arroz con leche, vodka berry, etc.) and doing beer and cupcake pairings.
Spring 2017, I was on the Food Network Spring Baking Championship and was Top 3 (only female and only home baker) even though I didn’t win the title I won most challenges due to my flavor and combinations, the judges loved that. That’s has also helped with my customers, who also enjoy my crazy and unique ideas.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Smooth? HAHAHA, NOOOOO, not at all! Its been one hell of a ride to say the least but damn I would be lying if I said it has not been the most stressful and yet BEST 2.5 years of my life.
Moments I cry, I want to give up and say let’s go back to corporate world but then I wake up say HECK NO, I am a chingona and let’s do this.
If it were easy, EVERYONE would do it, I sleep very little, I work ALL THE TIME and I don’t really have a social life but its called sacrifice to be my own boss. I know this will pay off in the future and I hope that my son sees that dreams do come true.
I work 60+ hours a week and there is not a day, I say I don’t want to go to work or ugh, I hate Mondays.
Of course, not every day is magical and full of glitter and unicorns (most days it is) but I am human and I have my down days but who doesn’t? I give myself 1 day to be a downer then I let it go and work 20x harder.
School was not for me, thankfully I have always been a hustler with a great work ethic and I have been able to make it in life. I just want young woman/men to know that its ok if a school is not for you (i mean don’t get me wrong it will help you in the long run) but I feel that we are brought up that if you don’t go to school you won’t make it in life. I have a high school diploma (some college) and look at me, I own and run my own business.
If you have passion and work your butt off you can make it. NEVER GIVE UP! It’s not easy but I promise you it will be worth it.
You will have bumps in the road and you will make mistakes, learn from them but don’t let them bring you down and DON’T QUIT when it gets hard. Don’t compare yourself to others ONLY COMPETITION IS WITH YOURSELF! Don’t worry about what others are doing, be consistent and focus on YOU that’s all that matters.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Daniela’s Kitchen – what should we know?
I am known for my unique flavors, beer and cupcake pairing events and pop-ups at Breweries.
(I love me some good beer and desserts.)
Some of mine unique flavors include:
ChamangoLoco
Vaso de Elote
Tequila Lime
Vodka Berry
Arroz con Leche
Flan
Mexican Mocha
Danielaskitchensd.com for more flavors 🙂
Also, 90% of my cupcakes are filled I think that is what sets me aside from other bakers.
I love providing a customer with an experience, I try to remember everyone’s name and or face. I want them to know that I am so thankful for their support, without them Daniela’s Kitchen wouldn’t exist.
I specialize in beer & cupcake pairings, I have worked with:
Border X Brewing
Ale Smith Brewing
Groundswell
Mission Brewery
The Bruery in Anaheim
and a couple more.
I love to develop unique flavors to enhance the taste of their beer. I love it when men don’t want to participate in the pairing but at the end, they give in and enjoy every minute, LOL, the best ever (frosting all over their faces).
Another fun part is when the customer is a little scared of the flavor (jalapeño bacon, ChamangoLoco) then, I say try it if you don’t like it you can pick another cupcake, 98% of the time they love it.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
Nosotras las mujeres somos CHINGONAS! Naturally driven, survivors and of course multi-taskers! 🙂
I have always told my son, nothing in life is given to you, you have to work hard for what you want and with determination (no excuses) and hard work, you WILL ACHIEVE IT.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.danielaskitchensd.com
- Phone: 619-508-2656
- Email: danielas.kitchen@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielaskitchensd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielaskitchensd/
Image Credit:
Food Network Spring Baking Championship
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
