Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Ramos.
Hi Stephanie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I can remember, my mom loved to bake—and so did my grandmother. I would often be in the kitchen with my mom, trying a new recipe or simply making a box cake to enjoy with coffee during the week. Having a cake or sweet treat readily available was always a staple in our household as I was growing up.
When I went to college, I initially majored in nursing but quickly realized I wasn’t majoring in something I truly loved. I decided to study pastry arts instead. While attending college, I slowly built my home bakery to make some extra cash—but it grew beyond what I ever expected.
Fast forward to when I turned 27, I became ill for months and was eventually diagnosed with Celiac disease. I had to close down my bakery at its peak and focus on my health. As a baker, being diagnosed with what is essentially an allergy to gluten felt like the worst thing that could happen to me. But with time, I developed a love for creating gluten-free recipes and connecting with people who also never get to eat the cake at parties.
That’s when I knew I wanted to shift my business to a fully gluten-free bakery—to give people like myself the opportunity to enjoy birthday parties, work potlucks, and all the parties in between. No more packing our own treats to the function!
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?
Absolutely not! LOL. Running a business is anything but smooth—but it’s incredibly rewarding if you’re doing what you love. I’d choose this journey over and over again if I had to.
The hardest part about running a business, for me, is that when life happens, you can’t just “call out”—because your business literally won’t run without you. There’s nobody there to cover for you. I’ve had a dozen cakes due while battling through sudden loss, grief, or illness, and you have to push through whatever you’re feeling and get it done. Otherwise, you risk letting down a lot of customers and negatively impacting your business.
I’ve also had to close down a few times due to major life changes that made it impossible to fully serve my customers. Each time, I was afraid I wouldn’t be successful when I reopened—but every single time, I encountered incredible people who supported me and continue to, regardless of the hurdles.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a baker specializing in gluten-free Puerto Rican cakes and baked goods. My most popular item is my Puerto Rican cake—it’s my best seller! After many attempts, I finally perfected a gluten-free version of my original recipe, and it’s been a hit ever since.
What I believe sets me apart is that I’m not just a baker—I’m your friend, your biggest supporter, and a listening ear. I build real relationships with the people who start off as customers. I pray for them, laugh with them, and ask about their families when they come to pick up an order. If I know it’s a special day or they’re going through a tough time, I’ll include free treats to their order.
My customers aren’t just customers, they become my friends, and people I genuinely care about.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t believe I’ve had good or bad luck—I have God.
I truly believe that everything, both good and bad, has been used by God to bring me to where I am today. Even in the most horrific times of my life, He has always managed to create something absolutely beautiful out of it. The times I’ve put God first and fully trusted Him have been the seasons when my business thrived—and so did my mental health.
But every time I’ve tried to take control or completely shut out my faith, that’s when everything starts to fall apart. My faith is the foundation of my business.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @dulcehauss
Image Credits
Karina Zavaleta
Sydney Morman
