Life & Work with Jessica Pena of Pacoima

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Pena

Hi Jessica, 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?
A little bit about me, my name is Jessica! I was born & raised in the San Fernando valley & grew up in the kitchen with my mom who also loves to cook. At a young age I knew I wanted to be in the culinary industry. I’d sign up for free classes at Michael’s to learn about crumb coating & piping techniques when I could & when it was time to go to college, I decided to go to a trade school. I graduated from Le Cordon Bleu, College of Culinary Arts in 2014. I went on to doing my internship at a bakery as a bakers assistant as I had fallen in love with baking. Unfortunately I was not in the culinary industry much longer after that due to the business shutting down in 2016. I was heartbroken, my dream job was taken away from me. Fast forward to a few years later, 2022-2023, to be exact when I started to rekindling my love for baking & creating. I began to bake for close family & friends & started posting my progress pictures on instagram. What was once a kind gesture, giving cakes to family & friends turn into consistently taking orders from referrals. That’s how She’s got cakes was born!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road at all. From the lack of certainty of having a job to losing a bit of passion while being in the industry. It was definitely overwhelming to deal with, as well as dealing with mental health along the way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At the moment we only specialize in cakes, it’s in the name, She’s got cakes! I truly believe that’s what sets us apart from others. Although there are businesses that sell a variety of different sweet treats & desserts, we’re one of the few that just focuses on cakes. All kinds of cakes! We’re constantly working on perfecting our flavors & flavor combinations & are always working on adding new ones to rotate into our menu! We’re mostly proud & known for our strawberry crunch cake. A strawberry cake with a homemade strawberry jam filling, coated with a vanilla mock Swiss meringue buttercream & topped off with fresh strawberries as well as strawberry & vanilla crumbles.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My only advice for those who are just starting is to keep going & take it one day at a time! It can be extremely overwhelming to look into the future when you’re first starting out. Where you want your business to go, how you want to progress & move forward, but anything can happen & change the trajectory of your life. So keep going, take it one day at a time & move with love! I promise you’ll end up exactly where you’re supposed to be!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shesgotcakes__
• Other: https://linktr.ee/shesgotcakes_

Image Credits
All photos provided were taken by me.