Check Out Karen Romero Valdez’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Romero Valdez.

Hi Karen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It’s Friday night, almost time to clock out… check Instagram… check Facebook… check Snapchat, click… click… click. “Does anyone know someone who does chocolate-covered strawberries?” I showed my sister, “What do you think?” Of course, my sister is always supporting my crazy ideas, my love for anything sweet, and me. She quickly responded, “Do it!” I smiled. Next thing I know, a week before Mother’s Day I am taking orders!!! I was super busy, I had 50+ orders in that weekend.

That weekend I was so exhausted, but I wouldn’t have traded it for the world. I was on top of it!!! I was very hesitant to start my little side hustle because of what everyone was going to think, what everyone was going to say since there was already someone on my in-law’s side of the family that did baked goods. But I have to thank my support system for telling me “WHO CARES”, to make it MY OWN, that I could do it better, and to make it UNIQUE TO ME! I owe a big thank you to Gladis, she was the one who gave me the push and told me to follow my heart. I actually have SO MUCH more to thank her for, she’s made me very strong. I then started my Instagram page and I grew really quickly! I can confidently say my work speaks for itself, I try my absolute best to make it as pretty and tasty as I can! I take pride in every detail of my desserts. I was so excited for this new journey! My boyfriend has supported me a lot through this, which I am immensely grateful for. He is my toughest and truest critic! I started promoting myself on my Facebook, on my snapchat, friends were sharing my work. It’s amazing to look back and see all the little milestones I have accomplished in such little time. This one is huge for sure! Thank you for having me be a part of this. Above it all, THANK YOU, GOD. <3

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh my, I wish! I wish I could say that it had been remotely easy, I’ve encountered a lot of personal issues in starting my business. My partner has always been super ambitious, super hard-working and he’s always looking for a way to stay on top and make some extra cash. It was hard to keep up with him at first, we did not see eye to eye. He would constantly ask me, “What are you passionate about?” I really had to sit and think about this! I do not like to do anything that doesn’t make me happy, that I don’t love, and most definitely anything that doesn’t COME FROM ME.

I finally figured it out- I love to bake, I love arts and crafts! I have also encountered someone copying some of my work and ideas. But with the support of my boyfriend and closest family and friends, I quickly brushed it off. Hard work speaks for itself and my work confidently SCREAMS for me! I’m flattered. Although it hasn’t been all cupcakes and rainbows, I’m blessed to say it has taught me how to manage my time, increased my patience, boosted my creativity, learned new techniques to use when baking (Thank you Youtube, Pinterest, and Google), and overall just how much I genuinely LOVE what I am doing. I love all the awesome customers I have met, served, and built friendships with!

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Cakes and Karen is a home-based bakery that was started in May of 2020. I was 22 years old when I started my baking business. I didn’t really think anyone would take me seriously, I was super scared and insecure. But with the support of Anthony, Gladis, my best of friends, and Jessica all being greatly supportive and, most importantly, honest of my work, I grew immensely!!! I am a ONE-man team! I do all my deliveries, all of my baking, I take all of my pictures, run all of my social media accounts, and I do all of my promoting. Just me. I’m proud of that. 🙂 I bake, make, and create all kinds of things- chocolate-covered strawberries, chocoflans, cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, cheesecakes, flan, breakable chocolate hearts, number/letter arrangements, number/letter cakes, flower arrangements, dog-friendly cakes and mini cupcakes + a small variety of Keto desserts. I also make my own fondant and use my own buttercream frosting on my desserts.

Another thing that i think sets me apart, is instead of avoiding the “hard orders”, “difficult wants/needs”, I ENCOURAGE THEM. I want them. My favorite orders are the challenging ones, the ones that make me almost cry at night, LOL. I love having to test my limits, I love to take on a challenge when it comes to special orders + CREATING NEW THINGS! I would proudly say my cupcakes, customer service, and details to my orders are what set me aside from others. My cupcakes are stuffed! You can order them regular size or jumbo! They’re the perfect sweetness, they’re different and baked to perfection. My customer service is TOP NOTCH. I constantly go above and beyond for my customers just because I want them to remember me and feel the difference here.. because I definitely wouldn’t be here with out them! Lastly, the details – I genuinely love WRAPPING my boxes and making sure to decorate them with cute bows, stickers, colors. It has to be PERFECT. That’s something I get SO MUCH recognition for from my customers and it makes me feel amazing! But I love and admire all of my work! I put my ALL into everything when it comes to my business. I’m proud of EVERYTHING I’ve done + what is to come in 2021!

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I wouldn’t call myself a risk-taker at all. But power to those who are..LOL! I hate surprises. I hate the “not knowing”. I love being in control. I like knowing what is going to happen. As much as others hate it, for example, I can not watch a show (once interested in it) not knowing what’s going to happen. With risks you don’t get that certainty, it kills me! I will start researching all my questions, all the answers I’m looking for! I’m definitely a know-it-all. But – not in the snobby way. I don’t walk around thinking I know the answers to everything or tell others what I think they should do… that’s not me at all. I just like to know what it going to happen. Risks scare me, I for sure will overstress it. It is a quality about myself that I have a love-hate relationship with. But don’t get me wrong, I am always up for adventures and trying new things. I just have to have a sense of knowing what MIGHT happen, what could go wrong or what could go right, and I won’t go crazy stressing over stuff.

Contact Info:

• Email: nerak.romero18@gmail.com
• Website: cakesandkaren.com
• Instagram: @CakesandKaren
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cakesandkaren

Image Credits
Anthony Lopez – Partner Gladis Molina – Family