We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emily Costa. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emily below.
Emily, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
The story of how Guilty Pleasures – The Future of Tradition came to be is one filled with passion, determination, and a desire to create something truly unique. It all began in February 2021 when I, Emily Costa, a 23-year-old full-time medical college student in Florida, found myself in need of additional income to support my studies.
As a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences with the goal of becoming an Anesthesiologist, I knew that working a regular full-time job wouldn’t be enough to cover my educational expenses. I wanted to find a way to combine my love for baking with my entrepreneurial spirit, and that’s when the idea of starting my own business began to take shape.
I started by focusing on my cultural roots, drawing inspiration from traditional Argentinean dishes and desserts. Growing up in an Argentinean household, I had always been surrounded by the rich flavors and mouthwatering treats that represented my heritage. I realized that there was a market for these authentic delicacies, as well as an opportunity to introduce them to a wider audience.
With time, I began to expand my offerings to include desserts with an Americanized twist. I wanted to cater to everyone’s desires and create a diverse menu that would satisfy various taste preferences. Hence, the name “Guilty Pleasures” was born, representing the indulgent nature of the treats I would be offering.
What set Guilty Pleasures – The Future of Tradition apart from other baking businesses was the fusion of traditional and modern flavors. I took the time to research and experiment with different ingredients, combining the familiarity of classic recipes with innovative twists. I wanted to create a truly unique experience for my customers, one that would evoke feelings of nostalgia while also exciting their taste buds with new flavors and textures.
I also recognized that I was solving a problem that no one else in my area was addressing. While there were bakeries and dessert shops around, there was a lack of establishments that focused specifically on the fusion of traditional and contemporary flavors. I saw an opportunity to fill this gap and provide a fresh take on beloved treats.
The logic behind my belief in the success of Guilty Pleasures – The Future of Tradition stemmed from several factors. Firstly, I had a deep passion for baking and a genuine love for sharing my creations with others. I knew that this enthusiasm would translate into the quality of my products and the overall customer experience.
Secondly, I saw the rising trend of food fusion and the increasing demand for unique culinary experiences. People were becoming more adventurous with their food choices, seeking out flavors that combined tradition with innovation. I knew that by offering this blend of old and new, I would be able to tap into a growing market of individuals looking for something different.
Lastly, I trusted in the power of word-of-mouth and the importance of building a strong community around my business. I believed that if I could create an exceptional product that left customers wanting more, they would not only come back for their own guilty pleasures but also share their positive experiences with others.
The excitement I felt about this idea was immeasurable. I could envision the smiles on people’s faces as they indulged in the unique flavors and textures of my creations. I could see the joy that comes from reconnecting with tradition while embracing the possibilities of the future. Guilty Pleasures – The Future of Tradition represented a bridge between generations, a celebration of heritage, and an invitation to explore new culinary horizons.
So, with a burning passion in my heart and a determination to succeed, I embarked on this journey. Through hard work, late nights of baking, and a commitment to excellence, Guilty Pleasures – The Future of Tradition has steadily grown into a beloved bakery, cherished by locals and visitors alike.
Emily, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hello, readers! My name is Emily Costa, and I am the owner of Guilty Pleasures – The Future of Tradition. I’d love to share my story with you and give you a glimpse into my brand and the products and services I offer.
I’m currently a full-time medical college student based in Florida, pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences with the goal of becoming an Anesthesiologist. However, I quickly realized that working a full-time job alone wouldn’t cover my school expenses. That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands and started my own baking business.
What sets Guilty Pleasures apart is the fusion of traditional and American flavors. I take pride in combining the best of both worlds, offering a unique culinary experience that satisfies a variety of palates. Whether you’re craving a classic Argentinean treat or a delectable American dessert, Guilty Pleasures has something to tantalize your taste buds.
One of the main things I provide is event catering. If you’re planning a special occasion, I’m here to take care of your dessert needs. From birthdays to weddings and everything in between, I’ll create a customized dessert table that will leave your guests delighted and impressed. You can count on me to handle all the details, so you can relax and enjoy your event without any worries.
Additionally, I’m actively involved in the local farmers markets. Every Saturday and Sunday, you can find me at my booth, showcasing and selling my delectable creations to the public. It’s a wonderful opportunity for those who haven’t had the chance to order from me directly to discover the unique flavors of Guilty Pleasures.
What I’m most proud of is my ability to honor and preserve my cultural traditions while also embracing and expanding into new territories. By blending the richness of Argentinean cuisine with the familiarity of American tastes, I believe I’ve created something truly special. I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that Guilty Pleasures represents more than just delicious desserts; it symbolizes the harmonious blending of cultures and the celebration of culinary diversity.
So, if you’re looking for a delightful fusion of tradition and innovation, a taste experience that will transport you to different corners of the world, look no further than Guilty Pleasures – The Future of Tradition. I invite you to join me on this exciting journey and indulge in the guilty pleasures that make life sweeter.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
I’d have to say that the most effective way of growing clientele has been marketing. Through countless amounts of apps I have learned a few things on how to market to the correct crowd. Instagram & TikTok have been a great help as well. Videos have helped give me more ideas on the different Americanized products that some people may be interested in. Going to baking events and speaking to different reps and learning about new tools and techniques that have helped me branch out with passing out pamphlets, business cards and more. My website also has this feature where I am able to send a blast email to everyone who is subscribed to receive news letters/notifications on events that I may be attending, reminders about the local farmers market, special discounts, give aways and much more.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I’m going to start off by saying “he who does not risk does not win” You want to start by having some sort of ideas in these fields:
1. Define your goals and target audience: Clearly identify your business objectives and the audience you want to reach. Understand their demographics, interests, and behaviors to tailor your content effectively.
2. Choose the right social media platforms: Research which social media platforms your target audience is most active on. Focus on a few platforms that align with your business goals and where you can best engage with your audience.
3. Create a consistent brand image: Develop a cohesive brand identity across all social media platforms. Use consistent colors, fonts, and visual elements in your profile and posts to build recognition and reinforce your brand.
4. Optimize your profiles: Fill out your profiles completely, including a clear and concise description of your business, relevant keywords, and a link to your website. Use high-quality images or a professional logo as your profile picture.
5. Share valuable content: Provide content that is useful, informative, entertaining, or inspiring to your target audience. Create a content strategy that aligns with your business and audience interests. Use a mix of text, images, videos, and other media formats to keep your content engaging.
6. Be consistent and active: Regularly post content to keep your audience engaged and interested. Develop a content calendar and schedule posts in advance to maintain a consistent presence. Respond to comments, messages, and mentions in a timely manner to foster engagement and build relationships.
7. Utilize hashtags: Research and use relevant hashtags in your posts to increase visibility and reach a wider audience. Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags to target specific communities and topics.
8. Engage with your audience: Actively participate in conversations related to your industry or niche. Respond to comments, questions, and direct messages promptly. Show genuine interest in your audience by liking, sharing, and commenting on their posts.
9. Collaborate with influencers and partners: Identify influencers or complementary businesses in your industry who have a significant following. Collaborate with them to reach a wider audience and gain credibility. This can involve guest posting, hosting joint contests or giveaways, or engaging in influencer marketing campaigns.
10. Analyze and adjust: Monitor your social media analytics to gain insights into what content performs well and resonates with your audience. Use these insights to refine your social media strategy and make data-driven decisions. Experiment with different types of content and approaches to see what works best for your business.
Remember, building an audience on social media takes time and consistent effort. Stay patient, adapt to changes, and continuously optimize your strategy based on the feedback you receive. I started off by just making Alfajores de Maicena (Original and famously known cornstarch sandwich cookies that in the middle have a spread of dulce de leche a sort of caramel spread, then rolled in coconut to finish), in the beginning no one knew what they were, I advertised them in cute baskets for Mother’s Day and would even post on my stories on my social media accounts different people trying them and their testimonials. Now, those alfajores are the ones that ALWAYS sell out at every event. In the beginning it sure was hard, we were in the middle of a pandemic and everyone was freaking out. This all started off as just an idea of me messing around in the kitchen with old recipes that my grandma gave me to turning out to be something that has led me to raise funds for my medical school expenses/ tuition.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://guilty-pleasures.square.site/
- Instagram: @guiltypleasuresarg