Good Morning Readers!
Today’s article is about Chelles Bakery, LLC a home based start up out of Winter Garden, FL.
This is run by business owner Darimar M. Velazquez, a self-taught baker and cake decorator. She specializes in Gluten-Free French Macarons and much more.
I found out about this business through the Chelles Bakery Instagram page. She has such a variety of different macarons that all look incredible.
When asked what made her chose this product Darimar responded, “The first time I tried a macaron was at the Bouchon Bakery in Rockefeller Plaza, NY. I became obsessed. I was fascinated by the range of colors and flavors that I instantly knew I had to make this treat. I researched a lot, read a lot, tasted a lot, and even threw a lot of macarons in the bin just to get them right. I chose this product because it has taught me one very important and valuable lesson: to not give up.”
The decorating component of the business came about after Darimar’s sister-in-law used fondant for a cake for her daughter’s birthday. This experience propelled Darimar on her quest to learn everything she could about cake decorating through Google and YouTube. She became obsessed to learn how to create.
She then gained experience through small time bakeries and just trial and error. After some time, she knew it was time to take the risk and start her own journey. Originally selling her creations through word of mouth orders though her friends and family, she said that she would carry her phone everywhere and show pictures to anyone who was interested pictures of things she had created. Eventually, she made a Facebook and Instagram pages to market her delectable works of art.
She says, “I knew I had to find a niche to be able to stand out from the crowd. That’s when I remembered how much joy I got from eating my very first macaron. I wanted to bring that same joy to others. I soon got to work on these delicate, little pastries that are notorious for enticing the hearts of people and drawing tears to those who want to perfect them. I started selling my macarons on December 2017 at the Winter Garden Farmer’s Market. It’s only been six months into the business but being at the market has brought me so much exposure. Since opening I have been commissioned to three weddings, Sweet 16th parties, and much more.”
“Becoming an entrepreneur has enhanced my life completely. It has provided me with a new perspective. You begin to think as a business owner (which makes you feel pretty special, by the way).”
When asked if there have been any challenges she replied, “I wear many hats. From being a stay-home mom of two young girls to running all aspects of the business by myself it’s easy to see that time-management might be one of the biggest challenges I face. What I have learned is to delegate. I consistently ask myself, ‘Is what I’m doing right now the absolute best use of my time?'”
Her tips for others to start their own business are to work hard and find your niche “Do work you care about and truly believe in. This type of business is very saturated and competitive, but it can also be very fun and rewarding.”
Thank you so much Darimar for taking the time to share your story!
If you would like to learn more about Chelles Bakery, please visit the links below.
Due to the extreme heat in Central Florida she will be returning to the Winter Garden Farmer’s Market by the end of September or beginning of October. Follow her social media links to learn more about this and when she will be starting to sell her amazing treats online. While these will not be able to be mailed, she will be able to provide either pick up or delivery within Central Florida.
Thank you all for reading! Have an amazing day and remember to be uniquely you!
All pictures are graciously sent by Darimar M Velazquez and Chelles Bakery and are not my own.
This family has been in the business of dairy production for over 100 years. After starting in Sardinia, they recently expanded the business to the United States.
In their own words “Our story starts at the beginning of 1900 in Sardinia, an Island in the Mediterranean Sea (Italy). My grandparents were farmers. They had a farm where they bred livestock, mainly sheep, goats and cows. They also grew vegetables. In the farm there was a small room where the fresh milk was transformed into fresh cheese. When we were children, we used to help our parents. Before going to school, we took the goats and sheep to the pasture and when we came back we helped prepare the fresh cheese. It was lovely, because everything was so natural and fresh, the air in the fields, and the scent of the freshly made cheese that we made with our little hands.”
Now, they bring their passion and skills to our community through their small creamery in Orlando, Florida. “My life has changed and improved in so many ways coming to the USA. It has helped me be a stronger person.”
Coming to America has not been without its share of challenges. Some of the challenges include the language and business practices here. For aspiring entrepreneurs, they offer this suggestion: research not only your product, but how to manage a business. Learn about the process of doing business in wherever you are expanding because not all rules and regulations are the same.
Ultimately, this family business wants to share their passions with new communities and expand their reach. “The experiences we have with nature, sheep and goats was great it helped us make the best product in Sardinia, so we want to share our tradition in other countries, starting with the United States.”
Indie Central Florida 
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