Mariana Cortez @ Bunnie Cakes: the only vegan, kosher and gluten free bakery in Miami!
What is Bunnie Cakes?
The only vegan, kosher and gluten free bakery in Miami, voted the best!
What is the best part about being an entrepreneur? What is the worst/hardest part?
The best part is being your own boss, having the flexibility to pick up my kids from school and participate in their daily activities. The worst is being able to sacrifice many things, like money, time, comfort, social life, etc.
Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur? Do you come from a family of entrepreneurs? Did it help or did that set you back?
No, my mom is dentist, my dad is a Doctor. Sometimes is difficult for them to understand the way I am, how I sacrifice my financial stability because of my dreams and my willingness to make them real.
On the other hand my uncle is a very good and successful entrepreneur and he has guided me in many occasions when I needed.
Do you believe that anyone can become an entrepreneur? Do you think that everyone should try?
If you are willing to learn from your mistakes, if you are willing to try and be relentless. If you are willing to sacrifice your time and comfort, then yes you can be an entrepreneur.
How do you keep yourself motivated when you can’t keep going anymore?
I think about my kids, the example I am giving them, how they see me, how important is for them to see that hard works always pays off.
Is it important to have mentors and mentor other people? Why?
Definitely, it is a crucial part during the entrepreneur journey. You need a helping hand, someone that can maybe discuss and give you some guidance where to go and how to do it, this minimize errors, time and of course money.
Do you think you want to start other businesses in the future or do you want to keep growing this one as long as possible?
I want to keep growing Bunnie Cakes to a national level and leave it to my kids to continue our family business.
Is it important to set goals or is it better to just “go with the flow”?
Set goals, always. It is very important to know where you are going, and to know the strategy behind each goal.
Most entrepreneurs say that it’s hard to trust other people with their own business and that delegating is hard to learn. What do you think? Was it hard for you? How did you overcome it?
Extremely hard. It is one of the hardest things for me when I started to grow. I am a perfectionist, so I try to maintain a direct communication with my team, and have a weekly meeting to go over every detail at the store. I also try to be patience and have them feel comfortable with the process.
What part of your personality helped you the most with your entrepreneurial journey?
I never gave up. No matter what people told me, no matter how difficult it was, I never looked back. I kept my goals very clear, and I never stop working towards them.
Someone once said that you can’t tell your big dreams to small minded people. Do you believe that it’s a true statement?
It depends on the people that surround you. It is difficult sometimes to explain your dreams or ideas to people that do not believe in what you are doing, so I always try to surround myself with positive energy and people that can maybe don't understand me but trust me and support me.
Why do you think now is the time to be a female entrepreneur? Do you believe that times are changing for the better? Is it harder being a female entrepreneur or do you think it doesn’t really matter?
It is definitely harder to be a female entrepreneur. It is difficult because female business owners are seen as not being the wiser to make business decisions or to grow a dream big enough to make money out of it. It was difficult for me being female because I am also a mother of 4, and I have to handle many things at the same time that not many people believe is possible.
How important is your network? Is there such thing as doing it alone?
It is important to be part of the community, because you need moral support sometimes, you need to connect and being able to network to always being in touch with other people that like you are building this community.
How do you contribute to the world? Do you belong to any organizations? Do you donate your time / money?
We donate all of our one day old items to local food banks and always collaborate with fundraisers and local events. We have worked incessantly with local autism organizations and charities that are very closed to my heart.
What are some ways we can inspire other women and young girls to start their own businesses and build them to last?
Teach them how to never take "no" for an answer when following your dreams. To teach them how everything that you set your mind to is possible, how you can being an entrepreneur makes you powerful and free when you have the control of your own life.
What does success mean to you? What does it mean to “be successful”?
To be able to work everyday in something that I love. To be able to make a living making things that were once inside my head and they are now a reality.
What is one (or more) piece of advice you can offer our readers and other entrepreneurs that are reading your interview?
To never give up. I can tell you that no matter in what situation you are or what discapacity you have, everything is possible with hard work, perseverance and passion.