Hidden Gems: Meet Marie Martinez of Hands on Sweets

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marie Martinez.

Hi Marie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hands on Sweets was created with the intention of providing the best quality cake made in small batches to ensure quality while also making the most beautiful wedding cakes. I started developing recipes and selling brownies in an office supply/ gift shop at the age of 11. Many years after while completing my degree in Pastry Arts at Johnsons and Wales University, I met Chef Carlos where we later married, moved to Tampa, FL and opened what is now Hands on Sweets. We have been in business for a little over ten years. We offer wedding cakes, custom cakes, edible favors and full-service dessert tables.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When a business is born one has to pour their heart and soul into it. Dedicate 100% to learning, making mistakes and growing from them. There will always be struggles but the intention of growing and being better is what gets you through those hurdles. I think the biggest struggle was growth and how to manage it. This is when we started to implement structure, rules and expectations as well as define our goals even more. Once those were in place it gave us the tools to take the business even further. Are we done with struggles, no, we are always learning. It keeps us developing and pushing us to be better people, entrepreneurs and offer even better products.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We specialize in wedding cakes. Clean, elegant cakes with a modern twist. We are known for our sugar flower work and hand-painted cakes. Through the years we have expanded our menu offering more than 100 different desserts. Many of our weddings now include a dessert table complimenting their wedding cake. One of the things that sets us apart from other businesses is the ability to be a full-service dessert company. We are not focused on quantity as we strive for quality always. Personalized service where clients can feel comfortable and helped when needed.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Absolutely! I think that at first, we all focus on the product and how to make it in the industry. If we shift a little bit of the energy in creating a process that works for the needs of the client and business it helps a lot in giving the business the tools for success. Invest wisely in the things that you need to get started without the added expense of bells and whistles, trust me there will be a time for all the luxuries. Keep your expenses low and start to save as soon as possible for backup on those not so great days. This will ensure your business will thrive even during tough times. After you have saved a little, invest if needed to grow. One last one and probably the most important thing for us was to be true to ourselves and stay grounded in the values of the company and who we are. Your business is what you put into it. Feed it with the correct tools and it will be excellent.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.handsonsweets.com
• Instagram: handsonsweets
• Facebook: handsonsweets
• Twitter: handsonsweets
• Youtube: handsonsweets

Image Credits
Jackie Cole Photography Kimberly Romano Photography Conelia Zaiss Photography Marisa Moss Photography Dewitt For Love Photography