We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tianna Gonzales a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tianna, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Growing up, I always dreamed of becoming a nurse, drawn to the fast-paced hospital environment and the reward of caring for others. However, baking was another passion that brought me joy, especially when sharing treats with loved ones and seeing smiles on their faces. At 10, I was already assisting my mother in the kitchen, where she taught me how to make Filipino cassava cakes. By 12, I started taking custom orders from family members, discovering my entrepreneurial spirit.

Pursuing a nursing degree at Mount Sac Community College, I was just one course shy of completing my Associate’s in Science and Nursing. That was until, the pandemic hit. I clearly remember the day I headed to class. I stumbled upon the culinary arts program. Transfixed, I peeked through the window, and in that moment, my heart shifted. I knew God wanted me to abandon my nursing aspirations and pursue becoming a baker, in hopes that one day I would own a successful bakery.

After much prayer and reflection, I gathered the courage to share my career pivot with my parents. I was so incredibly nervous. As their first-generation Filipino-American first-born daughter, all I ever wanted to do was make them proud. Especially after everything that they have sacrificed for me. But after telling them, all they gave me was their utmost support. They said, “As long as you put 110% into this, we’re fine with it.”. Not only did they grant me with their blessing, but they told me that they believed in me and that’s all I needed to hear.

I dove headfirst into building my business, researching and working tirelessly outside my home bakery in West Covina, California for about two years straight. I seized every opportunity to participate in pop-up shops, farmers markets, and collaborations, networking with local entrepreneurs and small business owners. I had no formal training in business or culinary arts, but I did learn a lot from family recipes and online tutorials. Through dedication and hard work, I finally started to see my business flourish. I started receiving recognition around town, and customers began requesting custom orders. I am so grateful for those who took a chance on me early on. Every custom order counted, and I appreciate the support that helped my business take off!

In 2022, I took a significant step by formalizing my business with an LLC. I named it “Tamistea”. I shifted my focus from saving for nursing school to building a “Future Bakery” fund. Despite the doubts of others, I persevered, driven by the belief that if others could do it, so could I. Two years of diligent saving and business planning finally paid off. In February, I began exploring options for leasing or buying a bakery space. I contacted around 100 agents and received a response back from about 10 of them.

My parents and I searched for the perfect space, and that’s when we stumbled upon a hidden gem in Torrance, California – a former Subway location. I still thought it was a long shot, but the location was stunning. It’s down the street from the beach, with perfect weather and a lovely neighborhood. I thought, “There’s no way I’d be able to afford something like this, but let’s just take a look for fun.” Little did I know, I’d be taking a leap of faith and signing the lease just a couple of weeks later.

Eight months into owning my storefront bakery, and we’re still not open to the public. I thought running a home bakery was challenging, but this is on a whole different level. The city’s opposition and financial stresses have truly been overwhelming. Securing permits, licenses, and approvals was just the beginning.

Being a baker and a business owner are two distinct roles. I’m learning as I go, navigating unexpected challenges. Despite the difficulties, I’m convinced this is where I’m meant to be. I’m grateful to God for planting this dream in my heart.

I owe it all to God, who has guided me every single step of the way. Without His direction, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I want to share both the success and challenges of opening my business with you, to give you a realistic view of what it takes. My goal is to not discourage, but to inspire and show you that with perseverance and faith, anything is possible. As Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!”.

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

For those who have not heard about me before, hello! My name is Tianna Gonzales, the proud owner of Tamistea. At 22 years old, I’ve turned my lifelong passion for baking into a dream come true. Established in 2022, Tamistea has grown from a home bakery into a welcoming storefront. With a heart for hospitality and love for Christ, my goal is to serve you all with the same kindness and care that God shows me. I’m thrilled to share my talents with you and create a warm welcoming space here at Tamistea. I can’t wait to meet you and share my passion in every cup and treat. I’m excited to see where this journey takes us! God bless.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson I had to unlearn, was thinking I could do it all on my own. Initially, I approached my business with an independent mindset, believing I could handle everything on my own. However, I soon discovered that this approach was not only incorrect, but super limiting. As a business owner, it’s real easy to let pride get in the way, making us think we can do everything solo. But I’ve learned relying on my own strength just ain’t it. It wasn’t until I humbled my heart and accepted help from others that I started seeing progress. The phrase “it takes a village” couldn’t be more true. I’ve learned the importance of asking for help, and I’ve learned to lean on my friends, family and community, in times of need. It’s what they are there for!

It all begins with humility and a willingness to accept the blessings God has in store for you. I was making things unnecessarily difficult for myself until I finally understood that asking for help is not only okay, but necessary. Without the support of others, I was unable to make meaningful progress.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Consistency over results. Making sure that new people come in being trained with consistency. That we cater to the customers needs, but before you can even do that, making sure you cater to your teams needs first. I still have yet to experience what it would be like to run the shop full-time with a crew working behind me, but something I always told myself was I never wanted to be called “boss”. I feel like it’s just as important to make sure they recognize that without them, I cannot get work done and that team work makes the dream work! I am no higher, nor lower than you. I see my fellow teammates as my peers that help Tamistea become what it is. And in the process of doing this, I hope and pray that the business grows, as well as the people around me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tamistea.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamistea/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tamistea-west-covina-3

Image Credits

@sinai.img on Instagram