Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maria Trupiano, owner of CAK'D, located in Naples, FL.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a Christian-based organic dough bar and treat shop that just so happens to be vegan and gluten-free. We specialize in comfort food. The indulgent treats place a smile on our faces without causing harm to our bodies or to the earth. Our dough bar features allergy-friendly flavors such as Troop Beverly Hills (Graham cracker flavor and roasted marshmallow), Savage Gentleman (Peanut Butter Toffee Crunch), Original Gangsta (Chocolate chip cookie dough), and Robert Brownie Jr. (Brownie batter with chocolate chips). To compliment our dough bar, we have a variety of cake treats utilizing our special proprietary flour blend, making way for a fluffy and moist cake with bold flavors and pure joy in every bite. Can't decide between cake or dough? Try our cake bombs. A mash-up of baked cake and edible dough rolled in a crunchy garnishing. A portion of every purchase is tithed each month and put back into the local community in an effort to help build the kingdom of God. Our customers are those who enjoy sweets full of flavor and high-quality ingredients. Our product line is meant to cater to the majority, not the minority.
Tell us about yourself
COVID. Like so many other new owners probably blame for their new business venture. I was a successful wedding photographer for over 13 years, and then COVD hit. Struggling with my own weight and being plant-based to fight off various issues within my health, I started to bake to keep me busy in 2020. That soon became an addiction, causing me to dive into the very fabric of cake making and treat creation. I studied the science behind the ingredients, and the varying properties each gave to a particular recipe. From there, I designed my own flour blend and hit the ground running. I will always struggle with my weight, but now I have the opportunity to indulge on some of the comfort flavors I grew up to love without harming my body and jeopardizing my weight loss. It is ok to indulge, but my problem was overindulging. Not knowing when to stop. This is why I designed my treats to have fiber and protein built within each recipe. The fiber and protein within a serving will leave you feeling satisfied and happy, helping to prevent overindulging.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment to date as a business owner is maintaining my business partnership with God. From experience in my previous business as a successful wedding photographer, as soon as the money came flowing in along with the awards and publications, multiple interviews, and media features...I placed my faith into a black bag and hid it away. I never gave thanks to Him. I never consulted Him. I never tithed. I completely abandoned Him. I didn't need Him anymore. I was making over six figures a year on my own. It was not until I lost it all due to COVID and going through a traumatic personal experience that I had my eyes opened up as a business owner. I vowed to have God beside me through every business decision, future interview, failure, and success. That is not easy. It is not easy when you are being praised for your treats not to take complete ownership. After a year of being in business, I continue to place him at the front. My successes are due to Him. These delicious treats are thanks to Him. That is my biggest accomplishment. Keeping my faith and prayer life intact and interwoven within every aspect of my business.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Understanding that you will not and cannot please everyone. It is a very hard concept to grasp and understand in depth. Another issue is finding a balance between work and Homelife. As a business owner, you live and breath your company, your brand, your storefront. Quality is a priority along with customer service, so you try to control as many aspects of your work life as possible. This forces you to work longer hours and diminish your personal time with family.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Drive. Perseverance. Passion. God. Don't stop. Don't give up. Work hard, pray harder, and keep moving forward. There will be many that come forward and call you crazy. That will tell you that your business concept will never fly. When those times happen, remember the crazy businesses out there today that do quite well. The store that only sells beads or the shop that only has olive oil. Can you imagine starting a business that only offers rooms for you to take a selfie?? If you look around you, you will find numerous examples of this. If everyone stopped pursuing a dream, how bland would life be right now? How much innovation would evaporate from existence?
Anything else you'd like to share?
Anyone can start a business. Just find what you love and find out how to market it to those around you. Which is easy as well...just show others why you are passionate about it. People love trying new things, eating at new restaurants, finding a new solution. What is the worst that could happen? You failing? At least you tried. That is far more than many do.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.instagram.com/cakdtreats/
https://www.facebook.com/cakdtreats
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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