We recently connected with Emily Acevedo and have shared our conversation below.

Emily, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.

Mix it Up bake shop today is a wholesale bakery servicing small businesses throughout Northern New Jersey. When I first launched Mix it Up, I was still exploring what I wanted for my business. During the first five years of business, I was still working a full time job managing a small town bakery in Chester, New Jersey.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, much like many other small businesses, the bakery I had been managing ultimately decided to close its doors. I saw this as my opportunity to take a leap of faith and work tirelessly to make Mix it Up my full time job.

As the bakery in Chester was closing, our wholesale clients were looking for new dessert and baked goods vendors. I offered to jump in and start wholesaling to them through Mix it Up. These relationships helped me realize the potential my business had as a wholesale vendor. With my love and passion for local businesses, I found a natural fit selling to small businesses, such as farms, coffee shops, and restaurants throughout Northern New Jersey. You may also find us at a pop-up near you, be sure to follow our Instagram to stay up to date on our latest goods!

Emily, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Mix it Up bake shop is a Latina owned bakery that services small businesses throughout Northern New Jersey. Our main clientele includes coffee shops, local restaurants, and farms. You’ll find our menu is constantly evolving, offering a mix of traditional American deserts and baked goods, with a latin flair.

From my parent’s kitchen table to the kitchen’s of the Institute of Culinary Education, my number one priority has always been to provide consistent flavorful deserts, baked with whole ingredients. As a Chef and Owner, I am most proud to be sharing my family’s recipes and traditions that have been passed down for generations. Since launching Mix it Up as my full time career, my family has endlessly shown their support. Without the help and support of my family, I know I would not be as successful as I am today.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I transformed Mix it Up from a side hustle to a full time gig, I re-strategized and pivoted from selling primarily to individual clients for large parties and special events, to providing wholesale baked goods to small businesses. While I loved the creativity of working with clients for their lives most special events, the opportunity to work with small businesses led me to finding a natural fit in the wholesale market.

For the entire first year of working full time as a business owner, I tried to maintain selling both for wholesale and to individual clientele. It became clear that this could not be sustainable, and it would benefit not only me personally, but the business if I made the hard decision to focus exclusively on wholesale. Since doing so, I have been able to triple my wholesale clientele. When the opportunities arise, and to allow a chance to still connect with individual clients, you may see Mix it Up as an occasional pop-up. When we are able to have these pop-ups, it is always one of my favorite parts of owning my business as I get to share my craft and connect with my consumers directly.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I transformed Mix it Up from a side hustle to a full time gig, I re-strategized and pivoted from selling primarily to individual clients for large parties and special events, to providing wholesale baked goods to small businesses. While I loved the creativity of working with clients for their lives most special events, the opportunity to work with small businesses led me to finding a natural fit in the wholesale market.

For the entire first year of working full time as a business owner, I tried to maintain selling both for wholesale and to individual clientele. It became clear that this could not be sustainable, and it would benefit not only me personally, but the business if I made the hard decision to focus exclusively on wholesale. Since doing so, I have been able to triple my wholesale clientele. When the opportunities arise, and to allow a chance to still connect with individual clients, you may see Mix it Up as an occasional pop-up. When we are able to have these pop-ups, it is always one of my favorite parts of owning my business as I get to share my craft and connect with my consumers directly.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for us has been word of mouth! Local business owners have strong connections, and having a personal reference from these successful business owners have opened so many doors for Mix it Up. We value our business relationships and dedicated consumers who travel near and far to purchase our products.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mixitupbakeshop.com
• Instagram: @mixitupbakeshop
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063667532576