Easter themed sneak-peek chocolate covered strawberries. Cover photo by Sara Marquez
Delicious chocolate-covered strawberries, themed cupcakes and decorative cake pops are only a few of the many desserts senior Sara Marquez has been working on for the startup of xsweetbysarax on Instagram.
“In the beginning, I liked doing it and I did it for my family,” said Marquez, Entertainment Editor for the Pearl Post. “It was something I liked to do and I was like, ‘Why not do something productive with something I like?’ ’”
In December of last year, self-taught baker Marquez decided to turn a hobby she enjoyed doing in her spare time into a small business. Within the short amount of time, she has found herself receiving many orders from customers that can’t wait to try her desserts. Unlike other businesses, Marquez allows her customers to select the chocolate flavor for the chocolate-covered strawberries, any toppings for the sweets, as well as any custom order the customer may show.
“I feel like a lot of businesses are like ‘This is the menu, this is all we are sticking to’,” Marquez explained. “I feel like with mine, if you ask me for something, I will try my hardest to match a photo or I try to make it as sweet as possible.
Prices for Marquez’s sweets can range anywhere from $12 - $25 depending on what you want and how much you want. She allows pick-ups and deliveries to make it as contactless as possible. On her Instagram, she explains step-by-step how to order as well as letting her customers know all orders must be placed a week in advance.
“Sometimes I will have a little table or a bench outside. I will let the customers know I left it out there,” Marquez said.
Aside from keeping her customers happy, Marquez also wants to keep them healthy. Sanitary issues are something important and Marquez keeps that in mind as she makes the orders. She takes all the necessary precautions to make sure her desserts come out perfect for anyone who made an order.
“As for making (the desserts), I wear gloves because people eat that and I switch them out after each order. I wash my hands extra and I try not to directly touch anything as much as possible,” Marquez said.
Running a business, big or small, comes with its own challenges. For example, not having a big enough workspace. Marquez finds herself leaning on her mom, Celia Marquez, when she needs that extra support. It could be something as small as making grocery store runs or taste-testing her new dessert combinations.
“My mom has been the one supporting me since I told her about the idea. She will be the one to go on Costco runs with me. Without her, I feel like I’d be a bit stuck,” Marquez said.
Marquez makes sure each order is perfect before handing it over to her customers. She takes time and puts in a lot of work with each of the orders she makes.
“I will make it as personal as possible just so it is more sentimental,” Marquez said. “If I were receiving a gift I’d want someone to put effort into it. I feel like my effort sets me apart.”