Today we’d like to introduce you to Marelis Martinez.
Hi Marelis, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Since I have memories, I have always been attracted by gastronomy, especially about desserts.
When I was a child, I used to look my grandma’s, cooking books.
It was at the age of 13 when I started selling my key lime pie to my classmates. Later, I studied Political Sciences at the Central University of Venezuela and cooking was still a hobby for me.
In 2015, to earn an extra income, I started selling desserts to my co-workers. Seeing that I was selling more every day, my husband encouraged me to start my own event dessert table business.
Little by little, the clients grew, but unfortunately, we had to flee the country due to the political situation in 2017. From that moment on, our lives changed completely. Cayenne was born from my desire to rebuild our lives and improve myself in this country, and of course, to make my fellow Venezuelans smile when they try my homemade desserts.
I started by making 10 boxes with samples of some of my best desserts and giving them away at some Latin restaurants in Orlando. From there I had my first clients. Thanks, their recommendation and to social networks, today I can say that I am doing what I am really passionate about, making high-quality desserts and not only for Venezuelans. I have clients of many nationalities and that makes me very happy.
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?
Start a small business is not easy. Even more when you suddenly have to move to a country that you didn’t know and with a different language from yours.
When I arrived, I didn’t know anyone. My husband’s family knew that I made desserts in Venezuela but had never tried them. I was really convinced that I could do it because I had a great product. So that did not stop me, little by little I was making my desserts known and now I can proudly say that I started from scratch and I am currently fully dedicated to make my creations every day.
As you know, we’re big fans of Cayenne. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Cayenne was born from the idea of satisfying the needs of the growing Venezuelan community located in Orlando, Florida, and the general public who wants to try completely handmade desserts with a Venezuelan stamp, with a professional finish, but with a homemade taste.
Currently, my best-selling products are the mille-feuille cake, the profiterole cake, the strawberry tartlet, and the passion fruit cake roll.
I take care of the whole process, from taking orders from customers, to buy the ingredients, cooking, and advertise the products.
You can find me on Instagram as @cayenne.baking and there you can learn much more about me and my work. Now I’m working on my website and I’m really excited about it.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
All my memories revolve around my whole family sitting on the table sharing delicious dishes.
That, without a doubt, is the best memory I have of my childhood and the basis of who I am today.
Pricing:
- From $25
Contact Info:
- Email: Cayennebaking@gmail.com
- Instagram: @cayenne.baking
Image Credits
@Lopezstudio_
