We were lucky to catch up with Ilse Chiri recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ilse , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

One late February evening, I found myself cozied up with my small Lenovo laptop, nervously holding my breath as I clicked “submit” on the application that—unbeknownst to me—would change my life. Yes, I boldly nominated myself and my business with this application to the First Horizon Bank Business Contest for the Tampa/Sarasota community’s business contest.

To enter, applicants had to send a picture or video of their business and write a paragraph about how they would use the prize money. The day I received notice that I had been chosen to proceed—marking one step closer to winning the grant—I was ecstatic! I was determined to win this contest, emboldened by my advance in the competition.

Fast-forward to March 2, 9:52 p.m. ET: I had been chosen! I couldn’t believe that I was a finalist in this contest thanks to a panel of judges who selected me and 49 other businesses to advance. Winning the contest was ultimately up to voting. I began promoting the voting link for my business every day in March. I was working two jobs and attending networking events every night. One of the events I attended in Orlando was particularly memorable because Trace Cyrus was in attendance. Trace is well known for hit song “Shake It” and for being the brother of Miley Cyrus. The adrenaline was coursing through my veins when he grabbed my business card and the sticker from my hand put them into his right pocket. I hope to one day make one of his sister’s diaper cakes.

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?

¡Hola! My name is Ilse Chiri, and I am the CEO and founder of Lil Cutie Diaper Cakes. I am both Bolivian and Floridian.

Lil Cutie Diaper Cakes was born on October 10, 2021, as a beautiful 5 lb. 9 oz. tower of creativity, joy, and love.

She debuted that afternoon at a friend’s baby shower—almost immediately I was peppered with questions and compliments. They ranged from “Where did you purchase the gift?” to “Is it a cake? “This is so darn cute!” to “Does it come in buttercream?”

By the end of the baby shower, I was not only overjoyed by the response to my craft, but I also now had orders to fulfill! That weekend I fired up the hot glue gun, grabbed a matcha on the way to the craft store, and diligently got to work.

My Lil Cutie creations are handmade with love and the environment in mind. Produced with reusable, environmentally friendly components, Lil Cutie Diaper Cakes are all of the above, except edible.

Finding the perfect gift has been nearly impossible, until now! I solve the problem of buying the perfect, thoughtful, memorable baby gifts for baby showers, gender reveals, or children’s birthdays. My business specializes in custom-made diaper cakes. We are known for producing one-of-a-kind creations that make for unforgettable presents.

Customizing the diaper cake can get as granular as selecting the brand and size of diaper customers prefer and the toys or clothing the customer wishes to be featured on the cake. All the items in the diaper cake remain fully functional and intact through the process of making the cake. I also ship my products anywhere within the United States.

What sets me apart from others is that my creations are lovingly crafted with keen attention to detail. I also like to incorporate different geometric shapes—not just your average three-tier diaper cake. My diaper cakes are a step above the rest; I’m constantly challenging myself and my clients to push their creative boundaries, and my cherished creations are characterized by their painstakingly crafted, distinctive themes!

My products are meant to be displayed and also used afterward. You can gradually disassemble them and use the diapers and other constituent components. I want buyers to be so pleased with my products that they boldly display them at their baby showers, gender reveals, or in the nursery.

When I reflect upon this past year building my business, I swell with pride in both my accomplishments and my efforts. I am grateful for this experience—being able to share my creations and bringing my customers’ visions to fruition make it all worthwhile!

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my audience on social media by joining as many platforms as I could without paying for any memberships or monthly fees. I received orders from different social media platforms such as Facebook ,Instagram and Nextdoor. My niche is very unique and different so I know that my page stands out.
The hashtags and also engaging with the audience has helped tremendously.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I put the initial capital for my business from working two healthcare jobs. I had no idea that I would be starting my business when I started saving this money. I have my Biomedical Science degree but I had no idea how to start a business. I attended some free online classes for new business owners and began the process of making my business from scratch. I have learned so much in such a small amount of time. I am so thankful for this journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://qrco.de/bcXqNO
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilcutiediapercakes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilCutieDiaperCakes/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilse-chiri-409506227/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lilcutiediaper
• Other: Tik Tok @lilcutiediapercakes