Conversations with Maria Leiva

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Leiva.

Hi Maria, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
At the age of three years old, I migrated with my parents from Nicaragua. They are the perfect example of blue-collar hard-working people that came to a country seeking a better future for their family. I witnessed their struggles, dedication, and selflessness to ensure I had opportunities not available in our home country. This instilled in me the courage to go after every opportunity that would help me “live the American dream”. This meant being the first-generation college graduate in our family and the hopes of one day owning a business that would not only showcase my creative vision but also be able to financially support my parents after all the sacrifices they made for me and our family.

I have always enjoyed crafting and baking as a way to express my creativity. It has also helped me cope with stress as it truly brings happiness to my heart. During the COVID-19 pandemic, as a Regional Account Manager for a Specialty Pharmacy, I had the desire to show appreciation to nurses and prescribers providing care during the most unprecedented times in healthcare. I started by making ear guards for healthcare providers and dropping them off at offices. Even though the ear guards were being used daily to help prevent ear discomfort from long use of the mask, I felt the need to sweeten their long days. I watched a couple of YouTube tutorials and was determined to learn to make decorated sugar cookies that said, “Not all superheroes wear capes” to express my gratitude, and with that my cookie journey began.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One would believe that doing something you love wouldn’t bring challenges that would sometimes make you second guess the decision to start a business. However, I soon learned that creativity is only one part of the business. I didn’t anticipate all the behind-the-scenes of running a business such as state regulations, licensing, bookkeeping, and marketing. I have had to spend countless amount of hours researching about Florida Cottage Law’s and even joined a Facebook sugar cookie marketing group that has helped tremendously in learning how to use social media algorithms to help me market and grow my business.

I have also had to learn how to balance family and work time as I found my husband and kids spending a lot of time outside our home while I worked on cookies. In the beginning, being present for my family wasn’t a priority and it became clear that something needed to change when my kids were making weekend plans without including me. I decided that no matter what family was my top priority and made necessary changes such as setting working hours, not overcommitting, and “hiring” my kids to help with the business in order to still have some family time.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Although I make all kinds of sweet treats from brownies, hot cocoa bombs, cakesicles, and cake pops, I specialize in custom-decorated sugar cookies. My goal is to help my customers put the final touch on the event they envision by creating beautiful and delectable cookies.

Locally, I’m known as the cookie lady and that is a title that I wear with pride. Considering I am a self-taught baker without professional training. What sets me apart is my ability to create and design cookies that embody the event theme the customer envisioned. I truly enjoy it when customers give me creative freedom to design the cookies. Witnessing the admiration customers have when they pick up the cookies is the highlight of my day.

How do you think about luck?
I am lucky to be in a country that has allowed me the opportunity to have a small business, but in the end, I know it was thanks to the courage and sacrifice my parents made when leaving our home country. However, it hasn’t come without hard work, dedication, and determination.

I have also been lucky to have a professional career in healthcare that has helped build lasting relationships and generated new customers for my small business.

Pricing:

• Custom Decorated Sugar Cookies starting price $48/dozen
• Seasonal Paint Your Own Cookies $5/each

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: wersweettreatsandmore.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/wersweettreatsandmorellc?utm_medium=copy_link
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/wersweettreatsandmore/

Image Credits:
Bozanich Photography