We were lucky to catch up with Esmeralda Badillo recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Esmeralda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
Coming up with a business name was definitely a challenge. I had everything in place for my home-based dog baker, except the name. Feeling a bit impatient, I started brainstorming ideas with my boyfriend. We tossed names back and forth, trying to find something that would reflect both my Mexican heritage and my love for dogs.
As much as I wish I could claim credit for the name, it was my boyfriend, Anthony, who came up with the clever idea: Pawstelitos. The name is a fun combination of the Spanish word pastelitos, meaning “small cakes,” and paws, adding a dog related twist.
The moment I heard it, I fell in love with the name. It felt perfect, and I had no hesitations about committing to Pawstelitos.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Monday through Friday I work my full-time job, but by weekend, I’m proud owner of my home based dog bakery: Pawstelitos. As someone who’s passionate about animals, especially my two adorable Golden Doodles. I saw an opportunity to combine my love for dogs and creative side into something truly special. Pawstelitos is my side hustle, and it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life! I can only dream one day of making this my full-time job.
I create a variety of homemade, healthy dog treats that are not only delicious but also safe for our furry friends. From pup cakes to biscuits, my treats are made with high quality, dog friendly ingredients that keep your pet’s health in mind. What sets me apart is my efforts in remaining each recipe as simple and clean as possible. I make every treat from scratch, with lots of love and care, ensuring that each one is perfect for your hairy four-legged family member. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to spoil your pup, your dog will enjoy our treats.
Through my business, I aim to solve a meaningful problem, making sure dogs can enjoy treats that are not only tasty but also safe. Believe it or not, I come across MANY picky eaters. I fear I would get offended if your pet did not want to eat my treats. So, I try my absolute best to develop delicious treats. So many mass-produced dog treats are filled with artificial ingredients, preservatives, and unnecessary additives, but I believe our pets deserve better! That’s why I focus on creating wholesome, handmade treats with only the best ingredients. It’s my way of giving back to the pups who give us so much love. Currently I am facing an on-going challenge. Due to clean recipes and no preservatives, I have not mastered a long shelf life. I am still deciding if I have come to terms with our current shelf life. My research will continue through trial and error, and one day I hope to see my treats in stores.
For anyone who’s looking to spoil their dogs with something unique, tasty, and healthy, I want you to know that every treat I make is crafted with the utmost care and attention. Ask my boyfriend, he loves to try and eat any leftover treats. He’s earned the title of “Treat Taster” here at Pawstelitos. I’m here to bring a little extra happiness to your dog’s day, that’s something I never take for granted.
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
One of my favorite marketing stories revolves around my first time being a vendor at as market. I had discovered this amazing dog-related event that was looking for vendors, and I thought. this was my chance. So, I signed up, and when they approved my application, I was over the moon. I dove straight into planning, creating a new menu, adjusting prices, and even learning to sew so I could add bandanas to my booth.
The week leading up to the event was chaotic. I barely slept, and my stress levels were through the roof. I felt completely unprepared, and doubt started to creep in. I wondered if I had made a huge mistake and was in way over my head, especially since I had never done anything like this before. To calm my nerves, I watched videos from other vendors on social media to understand what to expect and what I might need.
When the big day arrived m, I packed my car the night before, made a checklist, and kept praying I wouldn’t forget anything. On the way to the event, I couldn’t help but feel anxious. I kept thinking, “What if I don’t make a single sale?” What if I fail? The only thing that kept me grounded was the support of my boyfriend, who helped me with everything from set up to break down and kept me sane through it all.
When we arrived, seeing all the other vendors set up gave me a huge rush of adrenaline. I was so proud of myself for making it that far. As the event opened, people began to flood in, and within 10 minutes, I made my first sale. I almost teared up as my customer paid, probably because they didn’t realize how emotional I was, but it was such a meaningful moment. Someone was genuinely excited about the products I had created and willing to pay for them.
The rest of the event was a huge success, and I’ve never been more proud of myself for taking that risk. A big shout out to Anthony my boyfriend, there’s no way I could have done it without him. His help, support, and vibes were invaluable.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Well, because I work full-time I was able to save and slowly put those funds into this dream of mine. I started with very basic baking tools and materials that I very much still use today! Every time pay day would come, I’d purchase a few more things of what I would need to get Pawstelitos off the ground. Making a list of what I needed and being realistic with myself was key. I had to talk myself out of any fancy gadgets that at the end of the day I really didn’t need. My goal was to build something with as little equipment as possible. It was important to me that I was fully on my own when it came to funding my then idea. I wanted to be responsible and in charge of the finances. Once orders started to come in I can now depend on my profits to sustain my small business which is amazing!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Pawstelitos.sd
Image Credits
Bianca romero