Lourdes

I began my bakery during the early months of Covid-19. I’m originally from Jalisco, Mexico, and I have lived in Tacoma, WA, for 25 years. For more than two decades, I worked as a property manager while raising my family. When my twins were five, we relied heavily on daycare, but when Covid-19 outbreaks forced the daycare to close, I suddenly had no childcare. I brought my children to work, but management didn’t allow it, and I had no choice but to leave my job.

Facing the uncertainty of supporting a family of six, I turned to something that has always grounded me—baking, a skill I learned back in Mexico. I decided to take a chance on myself, get my business license, and start selling cakes from home. As word spread, my clientele grew. My husband helped me convert our garage into a small shop, giving me a space to meet clients professionally.

Looking back, I feel grateful and humbled to see how far this journey has taken me. I want my children to be proud and to see that with hard work and determination, dreams are possible. Every day, I’m reminded that leaving my country in search of the American dream was worth it.