Today we’d like to introduce you to Valeria Sarraf.
Valeria, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I went to culinary school right after high school and automatically started working in catering and restaurants but I never felt fully satisfied. I always felt that something was missing, that is when I attempted to do a food blog with the food and desserts that I enjoy making. One of my posts was what changed everything for me and it is because of that post that I am where I am today. I posted a picture of mini desserts and within a couple of hours I got a message asking if I sell them and I said yes I ran to Michaels to buy a box and string to package it nicely and that evening I delivered a box of mini desserts and people saw a post of it and started ordering and that is when it hit me and I said this is it this is my business and so far it has been less than a year but it has been such an amazing journey and it has slowly been growing. I have come to have my signature dessert which is what I am known for now.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
This has been a rollercoaster. I’ve had rough weeks, and I’ve had easy weeks, but my favorite has to be the rough ones because those have been the ones where I have learned so much from and where I have seen my potential. Starting a small local business and on your own is more difficult than you can imagine, especially when working with one oven and having many orders in one weekend. But when you get that “thank you so much” with their eyes wide open of how excited they are to try your product or that ” OMG everyone loved your desserts” it makes it all worth it, the stress the hectic long nights and early mornings.
Tell us about your business.
My business is selling baked goods. For every day, for weddings, for birthdays, baby showers, etc. I am the owner, I bake, I deliver, I create new products and new recipes. I am known for the cookie sandwiches. I am proud of how far I’ve gotten and how well people have been responding to what I do and to see how they appreciate home baked goods. I believe that what sets me apart is that I use good ingredients and make everything from scratch and that my product looks as good as it looks, but most importantly I believe that my passion for what I do is what people love the most and they see it and taste it in what I do.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is trying, it’s going for what you want and not being afraid to fail, and if you fail picking yourself back up with a smile on your face knowing that you tried and you did your very best. I believe I am very successful, because I am taking a risk, and I am happy with what I am doing because I am doing what I love and I wake up every morning happy to get in the kitchen and bake. I feel lucky to have found what I love and lucky to also be good at it.
Pricing:
- Box of 12 cookie sandwiches $30
- Box of 8 cookie sandwiches 8 mini desserts $35
- Box of 12 cookie sandwiches and 10 mini desserts $40
Contact Info:
- Instagram: petite_delights
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