Today we’d like to introduce you to Valeria Diaz.
Hi Valeria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My love for baking and anything related to pastries started when I was around 10 years old. I grew up watching baking competitions and YouTube tutorials from some of my favorite bakers. As I got older, my love for baking became more serious. I started practicing cake decorating and learning all the techniques that go into baking.
When I was 20 years old, I started working at a small business bakery, Abbie Cakes. From there, everything changed. I learned so many amazing things that I didn’t know before and gained experience I never thought I would have. I started with little to no experience, but working there helped me grow in so many incredible ways.
Now, I own my own at-home business, Panecito Mío, where I specialize in custom cakes and a variety of other small desserts. I’ve grown so much, both as a baker and as a business owner, and I’m so excited to continue learning, growing, and seeing where this journey takes me!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road! The learning process can be the most stressful, but it’s also the most rewarding. You don’t realize just how much you’ve learned until you take a step back and see how much you’ve grown. I’ve truly started to see that more recently!
Some of my main struggles have been with the cake decorating side of things. I think a lot of people underestimate the patience, time, and attention to detail that goes into creating one cake! Every cake is different, and I think the most amazing part is that you’re constantly learning new techniques along the way.
I won’t lie, the baking part can get a little stressful too! Trying to make the perfect concha took me a while. After lots of practice, I finally perfected them, and now they’ve become a crowd favorite!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Panecito Mio is a small baking business rooted in my Mexican background and my love for authentic Latin desserts! I offer a variety of baked goods, including conchas, cookies, cakes, and other specialty desserts, but conchas have definitely become one of the things I’m most known for!
I’ve always thought the idea of a gourmet concha would be amazing, so I decided to create my own take on it! I focus on quality ingredients, unique flavors, and making something that feels genuine to myself while still keeping the familiarity and authenticity of the Mexican pan dulce I grew up around.
What I’m most proud of with Panecito Mío is that it genuinely represents me and where I come from. I want people to experience something that feels homemade and authentic, but also creative, beautiful, and high quality. Whether someone comes to me for a box of conchas, cookies, or a cake for a special occasion, I want them to feel the care that went into making it!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe resilience is the most important quality for my success! You need to be able to be okay with setbacks and the little bumps along the way. Owning a small business can be very stressful, but reminding yourself that you are capable is what really makes you realize that the stress isn’t bigger than you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/panecitomiollc
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@panecitomiollc
