Today we’d like to introduce you to Zulinett Caban Garcia .
Hi Zulinett, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I have always found baking so interesting; as a kid, I remember watching Baking shows with my dad, but I never had the opportunity of making anything in the oven back in Puerto Rico since we never had an oven in my house. It wasn’t until I moved here (FL) 12 years ago and had my stove that I started baking cupcakes and small cookies (all pre-made, of course, LOL), and over and over, I would look for any excuse to use the oven. Years passed, and it wasn’t until 2019 that I baked my first homemade sugar cookies, which were not actually in my plans. Coming from a big family, we have events for anything birthdays, get-togethers, etc.; honestly, if we don’t have any special event, we make one; we also like to help friends plan their events. One day my sister-in-law called me: “Zuly, I need you to make some sugar cookies for a baby shower that I’m planning” she then sent me some ideas. After seeing them, I responded, “excuse me? I’ve never made sugar cookies like that in my life,” and she said, “You got this.” I have to say I was so proud of those little bows I made; we have come a long way from those cookies. The quarantine in 2020 also allowed me to work on my craft, practice, and try different techniques to improve my decorating, which we keep doing until this day; every day is a learning experience. I’m truly grateful and blessed to have people around me that have supported me in this journey. If you have something in your mind that you would like to accomplish, work hard, desire to learn, and surround yourself with people who will encourage you through it all.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth? Not at all. My biggest challenge has been balancing my regular job, managing my small business, and finding time to spend with my family. I work full-time in retail, schedules are different every week, and not having the flexibility of a set schedule makes it challenging to work in my small business as a home baker. However, I will always keep going. Most of the time, I fulfill orders during my days off; with that being said, I have found myself working weeks without an entire day off. I put my best effort into making it all work; there have been multiple days where I have come home from work to change and work on decorating till the early am; in these moments, I find growth in perseverance. The truth is that, in the end, it’s all worth it. Finding myself alone in the kitchen and cookie room has opened the door to an experience that brings me peace, and in those moments, I have found it so healthy and therapeutic. I have learned that at the root of trials and tribulations is where growth is created, and those are the moments we have to seek to conquer and overcome; when we do, true success is found.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in custom-made decorated sugar cookies for events: baby showers, birthdays, weddings, engagements, and more. Working with royal icing allows me to create different techniques that bring my client’s ideas to life. When it comes to the flavor, I’m all in; my most popular flavor is our signature Zulitas Vanilla. I have some other yummy flavors, such as my Heavenly Nutella and my favorite, Cinnamon Twist. For me is all about the details. Planning each order takes time and is a process, but it makes each order different, unique, and special. Sometimes clients are specific about what they are looking for, but my favorite is when clients give me creative freedom and are willing to be surprised by my designs. Some techniques used in Zulitas cookies include airbrush, hand painting, transfers, and more. When decorating, I like to use layers to give depth and a 3D look to my cookies, using a variety of colors and sometimes unique shapes to create each cookie. Aside from my sugar cookies, I’ve also created Zulitas KrazyLocaz, which are large “giant” 6oz cookies stuffed with various flavors. I have my Cinnamon Toast, Graham S’more, Apple Cinnamon, and more. Making simple or detailed cookies is just as satisfying; seeing the final look of each order and the happy faces of my clients when they see them is what makes my heart full of joy.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Consistency and discipline are key to success; the ability to continue in moments you don’t want to get you to the finish line. I know that to be where I want to be, I have to be in situations I’ve never been in; conformity is the brakes of your race, and the more you are willing to accept changes and challenges, the further you’ll get. I believe this wholeheartedly.
Contact Info:
- Email: zulitascookies@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zulitascookies/
