Rising Stars: Meet Fraña Colón

Today we’d like to introduce you to Fraña Colón.

Hi Fraña, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Wud’n Spoon was not where I knew I would be years ago. But it is where I am now, and I love it here. I have always loved to cook and serving others in the kitchen. It’s something that I feel is pretty deeply rooted into my DNA. I have many relatives who have a natural passion for food. Some even had their own side hustles/businesses back in their days. And many have the same now. I consider myself privileged to have that same love of cooking/baking like them.

My start really began at work. Haha, it really did. I loved cooking and there were always willing taste testers available! It really was a winning thing for everyone involved! This all started about 20 years ago. My co-workers would tell me I should open my own cooking spot, but I wasn’t ready mentally. I still had some growth to get through to get to where I needed to finally take that leap. Almost every job I worked at had my food in some way. I even found ways to “spice up” the plain hospital food for patients when I worked as a Unit Secretary at a hospital in Tempe.

I found opportunities to spoil people with love a.k.a. food on a regular basis! Hazah! I found my happy place? But I wasn’t where I wanted to be just yet. I knew I’d eventually get there, though. I didn’t have a set-out game plan. Covid kind of became the push I needed. I just so happened to decide to learn how to make bread. And, it turned out to be really good. A great friend encouraged me to sell it and BOOM! It took off. But I feel what put me where I am today is all of those years of loving on people with my hugs and food. And now new people that try my breads like what I make as well.

Wud’n Spoon was a dream that has now become a reality. I’m looking forward to seeing what I grow into next. I’m ready… 😊

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh, man… For me, it has been juggling caring for my mom and trying to run my business. She first hurt her foot in 2019 (Fall)-2020 (Summer), then went back home only to find out she now has cancer. In what one would think would be a great time to be out here pushing my business… I am choosing to fight cancer with my Mom. To me, it will all be worth it once she is cancer-free and able to see her “Baby” running her own business for many years to come.

Another struggle is keeping up with the demand. I didn’t expect people to go crazy over bread. Who knew??? But they live what they make and wants it often. I am a home-based business, so I know I’ll have more opportunities to obtain a commercial space. But until I get my Shero healed. It’s just me and my one oven. For now…

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?
Monday through Friday, I work at a financial firm. After my work hours, I go straight to the Lab (my kitchen), where I work on my recipes or fill orders when I am able to. At work, I am known for my savory and sweet treats. Through Wud’n Spoon, I am known for my Ghana Sweetbread, dinner rolls (Yeast and Sweet Potato), and Sweet Potato Pie rolls.

I am most proud of the Ghana Sweetbread. I have friends from Africa who gave their stamp of approval after trying it a few times. I really took the time to watch a lot of videos and make sure I was paying the proper respects while making it. For me, food is more than just something we eat for satisfaction. It can touch the soul. And if something I make takes a person to a happy place, I have done my job. I feel my Ghana Sweetbread has been doing that.

My personality! I am a wholesome, fun-loving, encouraging Soul. I just want to see people happy. Not just on the outside but within. I’m out here making good food, yeah. But if I can use my image to help someone smile or walk with their head high or believe in themselves, then damn it… I contributed to the greater good of those around me. I’m known as a “Mama Hen” to many. So I might as well live in that role.

How do you define success?
Being able to get out of bed every day with the determination to be better than I was the day before. That may sound “generic” to some. But for someone who used to get in their own way, this is everything. I didn’t believe in myself to take steps to start a business. Once I started believing in me and what my Tribe saw, I took the leap.

Now I am determined to stay the course daily. It takes the feet of the one walking the journey to make the dream happen. So for me, it’s taking the steps and not looking back.

Pricing:

• Ghana Sweet bread: $7.00
• Sweet Potato Pie rolls: 2 pack: $9/4 pack:$16/half dozen: $23
• Dinner rolls: $6.00/dozen
• Sweet Potato Dinner rolls: $7.00/dozen

Contact Info:

• Email: Frana@wudnspoon.com
• Website: www.wudnspoon.com
• Instagram: wudn.spoon
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/WudnSpoon/

Image Credits
The picture of me in the floral skirt was taken by: Earl Tubbs of Contrast Photography