We were lucky to catch up with Tiffany Badillo Jiménez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tiffany, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

For me, the desire to bake and decorate cakes professionally was there from a very young age. I remember being a little girl, maybe 6 or 7 years old, helping one of my paternal uncles and my only paternal aunt make doughnuts, cakes, muffins, breads, and other delicious desserts. I always felt so entertained, challenged, filled with curiosity, and loved, that I knew this was what I wanted to do until my last breath.

As I got older, practicalities seemed to take over. My parents taught me that having a stable career was always best. So, following their steps and recommendations, I pushed my baking dreams to the back burner. I acquired a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Multiple Subjects Teaching with a Special Education Certification. It looked great on paper yet, I always felt the urge to have that creative outlet.

It wasn’t until I hit the mid-thirties, and a very significant turning point, that I finally gave myself grace and permission to follow my own dreams. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) which made me reevaluate everything. My teaching job, while stable with a very good paycheck, it was incredibly demanding both physically and emotionally. At the time, my MS was newly diagnosed and medication had lots of side effects. The fatigue and other symptoms made it increasingly difficult to maintain the lifestyle I had, and made me realize I wanted to continue whatever life I still have, fulfilled with my own dreams coming true.

Getting diagnosed at 35 years of age, ironically, became the catalyst. I realized life is too short to not pursue what truly makes you happy, especially if your health is involved. Feeling so sick, weak, and depressed, I resigned to my early childhood special education position. Six months later, my health was improving with medications and I decided to start my own home-based business. This has been a bumpy road due having MS flare ups while managing and running the business on my own. Although it has been challenging, I feel like I am finally building that childhood dream on my own terms. It’s a different kind of demanding, but I love every minute of it.

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

It’s wonderful to connect with your readers! I’m the owner and baker of La Islita Bakery, LLC in Killeen, TX, and I specialize in creating decorated cakes, cupcakes, and cookies, with a particular passion for bringing the vibrant flavors and traditions of Puerto Rican baking to life.

I offer custom-decorated cakes, cupcakes, and cookies for all occasions, from birthdays and weddings to intimate gatherings. While I love creating classic flavors, my heart truly sings when I get to infuse my work with my heritage. I specialize in Puerto Rican cakes and pastries, which means I bring authentic flavors like guava, passion fruit, lemon, lime, coconut, and dulce de leche into my creations. Think traditional bizcocho mojaito (Puerto Rican “wet” cake), brazo gitano (cake rolls), and vibrant cake fillings.

What I believe sets me apart is this unique blend of artistic decoration and authentic cultural flavors made with the freshest ingredients available. Many bakers excel at one or the other, but I strive to bring both together seamlessly. I’m not just making a cake; I’m crafting a centerpiece that tells a story, that will evoke memories, and often, introduce people to the rich, delicious world of Puerto Rican sweets. For my clients, I solve the problem of finding a baker who can deliver not just a visually stunning dessert, but also one that tastes incredible and, for many, connects them to their cultural roots or allows them to share a piece of that heritage with their loved ones.

I’m most proud of the joy and connection my creations bring to people. There’s nothing more fulfilling that seeing a client’s face light up when they see their custom-made order, or hearing/reading about how a bite of my cake transported them to a time when they lived in the island, and those that after trying my sweets want to plan a trip to Puerto Rico for the first time. I feel like this business is more than just sugar, butter and flour; it is about preserving traditions, creating memories, and inspiring others.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that my brand is built on passion, authenticity, and commitment to great quality. When you order from La Islita Bakery, LLC, you’re not just getting dessert; you’re getting a piece of me as a person. I am very attentive to details ensuring that your creation doesn’t only look good but that it tastes great as well. Every celebration deserves a special treat, and I’m here to help make those meaningful moments unforgettable with my unique creations and flavors. Something else I’d like potential clients to know, is that, I am fluent in Spanish. I’ve had so many costumers feel relieved because they can communicate with me in their own language (Spanish) and ask exactly for what they want.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative in baking, is the joy and connection my work brings to people. There’s something magical in transforming simple fresh ingredients into something gorgeous and scrumptious that will mark someone’s special moment. This is more than just providing a dessert for an event; it’s about being a small part of someone’s celebrations and evoking memories. The tangible impact, the smiles, and the shared moments between friends and loved ones- that’s the ultimate reward.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Being a military spouse, I knew social media would be crucial for reaching people in the military community but also the people in the town; the locals. Facebook was the best platform to reach the local community groups, sharing longer posts, upcoming promotions, and clients being able to leave a review for potential clients to see. I engage with my Facebook communities often and reply to questions, messages, comments, and also support local small businesses! I’ve connected with different artists who make products I need, for example, I have a lady who makes my edible images, and another lady who makes my acrylic toppers.

Using Instagram, I realized that I needed to up my photography game. Good pictures are non-negotiable in this industry so, I started learning about light, backdrops, good angles, and such. I’m still learning! Instagram is a great platform to reach a wider population. I need to improve on posting more short videos since it’s a very popular feature. Here, I also use various hashtags that allow me to reach target audiences.

Some advice I can share to those starting their journey is to be consistent, not perfect. Aim to post regularly on your social media accounts. Consistency helped keep me top-of-mind. Don’t wait until your photos look “perfect”; show your authenticity, even if imperfect. Also, define your niche and audience. Who are you trying to reach? What makes your work unique? Finally, don’t be afraid of the camera! Every time I share a photo of me, I get so much more engagement and views.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/la_islita_bakeryLLC
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/la.islita.bakeryLLC/
• Other: TikTok

  https://www.tiktok.com/@la.islita.bakery?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc