Student fosters passion for entrepreneurship and educating
Life during the global shutdown for COVID-19 was a time of changes for many. For some, the isolation of quarantine allowed for a chance to explore hobbies and develop new skills amid the chaos and uncertainty. For sophomore education major Sara Alonso Gonzalez, it was the chance to explore that awakened her love for baking and set her on the path of entrepreneurship.
Gonzalez has two small businesses she has been operating for roughly three years now. The first is dedicated to sweet treats and confections. Aptly named “Sara’s Bakery Sweets,” she provides a variety of desserts fit for many occasions, from the traditional cookies, cakes and cake pops to chocoflan, mini tres leches cakes, chocolate covered strawberries and breakable chocolate hearts.
“It started during COVID year. I was very bored at home, and I started enjoying the baking industry, and just got the hang of it,” she said. “[My mother] was without a job. I definitely didn’t have school, so we just both kind of enjoyed it, and we found some fun recipes. And from there, it was just as family, baking for family, and then it just turned into a business.”
In her tandem business venture “Bouquets by Sara,” Gonzalez creates beautiful floral arrangements by hand, an art she originally taught herself how to do as a way to keep busy.
Sara Alonso Gonzalez is a sophomore education major. She learned how to bake during the pandemic and taught herself how to make bouquets. Photo by Baleigh Davis.
“I always liked flowers, and I wanted to work with them, but not full time,” Gonzales said. “So, I found that making floral arrangements keeps me busy, and it’s one of my favorite hobbies now.”
Gonzalez not only juggles being a student as well as a young dual business owner but is also employed part time in a school district, working toward her dream of educating.
“I am looking forward to being a teacher.” Gonzalez said. “I do work at a school district, and being able to do teaching and having my own business as well makes it more fun or either way.”
As a college student and business owner, managing time and figuring out the school-work-life balance is important to Sara.
“If it’s flowers or a cake during that week, I try to always make sure it’s after my school hours,” she said. “Because I think school is more important for me, and it’s always during the weekends that I get more orders, so just having that [balance] will be more helpful.”
While her businesses began as both a creative outlet, as well as a way to provide some extra income, she has plans to eventually expand enough to carry a staff and reach a larger consumer base while also maintaining her career ambitions to become an educator.
“It’s been lovely. I like it, it’s kept me busy. I like where I’m going with it. I really hope I do expand more later on in the future, and see it as a big business, hopefully one day,” she said.
To view and order Sara’s products, reach out to her through her business’ social media pages at @saras_bakery_sweets_ and @bouquetsxsara on Facebook and Instagram.