Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Alvarenga.
Sharon, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
A lot of trial and error! I am self taught, and before I began I really only knew how to bake chocolate chip cookies. I would bake chocolate chip cookies while in college to help alleviate stress, and after I graduated I decided to grow my skills and share the experience on Instagram. That’s how The Dessert Pantry was born. That was four years ago and since then I have focused and developed my skills around decorated cookies and cakes. Since I am self taught I used quite a bit of do-it-yourself YouTube videos to learn techniques and all those tricks from other seasoned bakers. It is a continuous learning process for sure!
Great, 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?
It has been a bit of a struggle! I currently work a full time job, so scheduling in time to bake and decorate is challenging. On top of that, last year I gave birth to a baby boy and suddenly I barely had enough time to get in a shower! So I did take some time off and begin to question if this was something I wanted to continue because it does take away quite a bit of family time. But as the months passed and I learned how to balance family and baking, it all began to fall steadily into place once again. It’s definitely challenging, but I’m determined to continue and pursue my goals to expand business.
The Dessert Pantry – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The Dessert Pantry specializes in custom cookies and cakes. I bake and design everything that comes out of my kitchen. I think what most people know me for is the colorful desserts. Color and texture drive my designs, so I am always looking for ways to provide vibrant and unique dessert aspects to clients. It makes me proud to know I am self-taught and able to create beautiful delicious desserts. I think what sets me apart is I try to create a truly unique experience for each client – I want them to know and feel that their dessert comes from my heart, and it truly makes me happy when they tell me they love it.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Every experience with a satisfied client gives me the confidence to continue. From my high end clients to my stay at home moms to my puppy clients, each one of them imprints an experience on me that allows me to grow and pursue this passion to the next level. I look back on all of it now and I’m so proud of what I have been able to accomplish with virtually no formal training, no marketing experience, and just a strong passion to bake and share those desserts with the world.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @thedessertpantry
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