Today we’d like to introduce you to Roni Bravo.
Roni, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started baking when I was in Junior High School. My mom catered and made wedding cakes. My sisters and I would help her set up, serve, and often times bake and make frostings. I have baked since then.
After high school, I went on to beauty school. I continued to bake to earn extra money in order to become a licensed nail tech. I moved on to earn an Associate’s Degree from SMCC, then ASU to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Chicana/o Studies & Women’s History. During my time at ASU, I was a nail tech. I kind of put baking on the back burner. I only made cakes and treats for special occasions for friends, family, & co-workers.
Fast Forward a few years, I met Brandon while I was working for the Maricopa Community College District as an Academic Advisor. We had our first son, Austin, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). 18 months later, we had another child, Jonny, who was also diagnosed with ASD. Life took one of those unexpected turns and eventually became too hectic caring for our boys while we both worked. I quit job in order to get them to and from school and therapies (Speech, Feeding, Occupational Therapies).
I started working on cakes again as a hobby during the short two-hour stretches I had to myself. My business grew by word of mouth and I am still taking orders for custom sugar cookies, small desserts, and small cakes.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No. It has been a little tough. Baking and decorating has always been easy, but most home bakers have day jobs and bake/decorate at night. I worked at the community colleges for several years and then running kids around more than usual made for late nights baking and filling orders.
Trends change, desserts people want change, so having to learn new techniques took a lot of trial and error. Rules as a home baker weren’t in place when I started, this venture. Arizona has since put cottage laws in place. Learning to navigate that was a bit tricky at first. Eventually, I learned the ropes and had my treats tested through UofA’s Food Safety lab and approved for business.
Some cakes have been super stressful. My mom, sisters, and cousin often step in and help with bigger orders if I decide to take them on. I’ve had to really figure out what I can handle with family life and what requests are just too much for a home baker.
I have finally set my menu to smaller items and small cakes to better manage my time with family and make sure my customers get the best desserts I can create.
AZ Sugar Fairy – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
AZ Sugar Fairy used to be AZ Sugar Fairy Cakes & Sweets. I used to focus more on wedding and quinceanera cakes. I have scaled back on the larger tiered cakes recently.
I feel like my company is known for bespoke cupcakes, small birthday cakes, custom decorated sugar cookies, and logo sugar cookies. I also make other items when requested such as Candy & Caramel Apples, candied popcorn, Rice Krispie Treat pops, Cakesicles, Cake Pops, and Pies.
I feel like the most unique thing I make Are my cookie leis. Most people order them for Graduations. I’ve made them for pre-k kiddos all the way to people earning Master’s Degrees.
Everything I make is custom made for specific events.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I love what I do. I love to see the smiles on people’s faces when they receive something so special & custom that their family took time to think out and order months in advance. Those reactions make the late nights and hours of work so worth it.
Success to me in this industry is having those same customers come back over and over, or refer someone to me because they know they will receive something that tastes amazing and is made just for them.
Paying bills is also helpful. I am able to charge a little more for my services because of the skill I have worked so hard to achieve, the quality ingredients I use, and the time I put into each order.
Pricing:
- Basic Cookies start at $42 per dozen currently. Pricing is determined by the size of cookies and the details involved.
- Character cookies start at $54 per dozen currently. Pricing is determined by the size and details involved.
- Cupcakes currently start at $24 per dozen for simple cupcakes with buttercream swirls (NO FONDANT).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.azsugarfairy.com …….coming soon (again)
- Phone: 480-253-9663
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/azsugarfairy
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/azsugarfairy
Image Credit:
Leslie Ann Chait
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