We recently connected with Lisa Vazquez and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa , thanks for joining us today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?

The route I took to scale my business to what it is today started with farmer’s markets. When I made the decision to start my custom cake business, I knew I had to think of a way to get multiple people to try something I’ve baked. Because once they tried a few things and enjoyed it (& I knew they would!) that’s when I had my portfolio ready!

I did farmer’s markets for about a year- year and a half. It was really something out of my comfort zone because I’m not a people person and very bad at initiating conversation but I knew I had to get out there and gain loyal customers & friends! I couldn’t have done this, of course, without my family’s support! At the time I had a 2 year old with my boyfriend (who came to every event with me) so my parents/siblings helped a lot with babysitting while we did markets early in the morning and sometimes, late at night.

It was also right in the middle of COVID, so when I wasn’t doing a market I still had to find a way to get my (baked) goods to the people! Why not online?! I created an online store where customers could see photos of different items like classic cookies (snickerdoodle, oatmeal, chocolate chip), hand pies, sweet & savory scones, cake tins, cupcakes, etc. From there, they could choose local pick up or no-contact delivery, pay online and they could even include a note or balloons if they wanted to order for someone else. I would bake everything fresh and deliver it to their door without coming into contact! I also had my social media set up so they had a way to see my cakes too!

From there, I slowly started getting more and more cake orders! I don’t do markets or my online store anymore, except I have a few dessert items that can be added to custom orders. I do miss seeing customers try my baked goods and ooo-ing/aww-ing over my presentation, but the reactions I get when customers see my custom cake designs is what really melts my heart.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Lisa Maria Vazquez. I’m 31 years old and was born & raised in Orlando, FL. Most of my family is from New Jersey & Puerto Rico. I graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts in 2010 where I majored in Baking & Pastry. There is where I realized I had a knack for cake decorating! After I graduated, I stayed in the food industry and had jobs like decorating ice cream cakes at Baskin Robins, being a manager, trainer, and food safety specialist!

I worked for big & small companies and learned a lot of useful business knowledge. From the big companies, I learned what I didn’t like about the “corporate world”. From the small companies, I learned that it isn’t easy and it’s a lot of work! Which is why I waited 10 years until I felt ready to start my own business. If I would have started sooner, I wouldn’t have gotten a chance to learn everything I did and my business wouldn’t be where it is today.

So it was time to build my own brand; Butter Bliss! I now design custom cakes that taste just as amazing as they look, for any type of occasion. My customers have told me stories before about how they order a cake and it looks beautiful! But then it’s time to cut the cake and the taste just doesn’t match up. It’s a horror story if you ask me!

Which is why Butter Bliss has so many loyal customers (cake foodies, if you will). It’s all about the customers experience as a whole. From start to finish, I make sure my customers can trust that I have their vision in mind as I create a custom centerpiece to their forever memories and no matter what flavor they choose, they know it is going to be just as memorable as the design.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think my detail to presentation along with taste helped build my reputation. The details is what people notice and pulls them in. Once they get to taste, they can’t get enough and don’t mind telling others about it too!

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I’m not a reader, but an audiobook I’ve listened to 3 or 4 times now is by Russ, called ‘It’s All In Your Head’. It’s about getting out of your own way and manifesting everything you want in life. My favorite podcast that has helped my entrepreneurial thinking process is called On Purpose by Jay Shetty. Being an entrepreneur can be tough mentally so it helps to have a clear, positive mind and stay focused on your goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.butterblissbakeshop.com
• Instagram: @butterblissbakeshop
• Facebook: @butterblissbakeshop
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/butter-bliss-bakeshop-orlando-3

Image Credits
Sydney Morman Photography , Dreamscape Photography + Video