Meet Peaches Aguirre | Entrepreneur and Baker, Cravings by Peaches

We had the good fortune of connecting with Peaches Aguirre and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Peaches, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have been a culinary enthusiast since I was a kid. Having been around the kitchen at a young age brought about my appetite for cooking delectable meals and baking delightful desserts.

I have worked for more than 15 years in the corporate setting with combined experiences in hospitality sales, marketing, and events management. When things get stressful at my day job, I always find myself doing what I love the most, hustling and whipping something up in the kitchen. I would cater to families’ and friends’ requests for sweets and confections to celebrate special events and milestones.

I settled in California in 2017 straight from the Philippines. Relocating made me long for the taste of home. In my search for baked goods I was spoiled growing up with, and with the limited restaurants specializing Filipino baked products in my county, I started creating my own at the comfort of my home.

The peak of the pandemic made me realize what matters most. Finding a sense of community was on top of my priorities in my new found home. What better way to have the opportunity to connect with people and be a part of something greater than myself is none other than food.

Representing the Filipino cuisine and my humble roots, I am sharing the taste and goodness of home with my passion for baking, thus Cravings by Peaches was born.

What should our readers know about your business?
Cravings by Peaches is a passion project turned into a cottage food business offering the Philippines’ unique dessert flavors and favorite treats. Every creation that comes out of my kitchen tells a story of life, love, family, and friendship with the joy that every bite brings. My goal is to provide the best quality baked goods to satisfy your sweet tooth and warm your heart.

Being a licensed home baker has been an exciting journey. It has taught me to embrace the endless possibilities and weighs the limitations at the same time. Opportunities are limitless depending on your perspective. The only limit is YOU!

I have come up with my product offerings based on what is only allowed and approved by the health department. When I was conceptualizing my products, I have to be creative as to what I can only prepare from home and at the same time think outside the box. When my original preferred product is not permitted, cookies came to mind. But I can’t just offer any regular cookies that you can easily grab in a store and forget the next day. I started and came up with gourmet cookies fared with flavors of Filipino desserts and snacks that are dear to my heart. There is a cookie flavor for everybody. A cookie that will bring back childhood memories. One with tropical dried fruit that will give you a well-balanced explosion of flavor. A nutty and creamy cookie inspired by my favorite candy from my hometown or one that is a perfect blend for a refreshing all-season snack. And a rich, decadent cookie for the chocolate lover. I have since offered additional products like specialty cakes for the nut lover and cake cups with baked fruit mix for the bold and adventurous. Baked goods and desserts are part of a thoughtful menu planning in my kitchen. One that will definitely satisfy your sweet cravings.

As a startup homebased business, there have been many hurdles along the way. Balancing between working from home and being a stay-at-home mom and wife can be challenging. Everyday is an opportunity to switch the button to be in the present 100%.

What started as a hobby since I was a kid along with my endless passion for baking has inspired me to live my dream of having a baking business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are tons of great spots to visit and activities to do here in Ventura County. I’ll take a friend to do some water activities like whale watching off the Ventura coast, an e-boat ride at Channel Islands waterway, a sunset stroll by Mandalay Beach or a walk by Ventura Pier. When in season, strawberry picking is an exciting way to spend the morning in Oxnard and enjoy the breeze and relaxing view of the ocean by Grant Park in Ventura and end the day with a sweet note of Coastal Cone Ice Cream.

A food trail will also be part of the itinerary. Some of the best restaurants are Sea Fresh at Channel Islands, Sushi Hanada in Port Hueneme, Dominick’s Italian Restaurant in Oxnard, The Greek Mediterranean Restaurant in Ventura Harbor Village, Paradise Pantry and Café Fiore in Main Street Ventura.

We will also check out the farmer’s markets and maker’s markets around the county to support local farmers and small business owners in the community.

And to cap it off, the best way to showcase my hospitality is by serving a sumptuous homecooked dinner and homemade dessert straight from the heart of my home kitchen.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Being able to start my own baking business would have not been possible without the support of my husband. He is my number one taste-tester and food critic when it comes to the baked products I make. Our love of food binds us together, our culinary romance as what we call it.

A huge shoutout goes to my mom and aunt who have been very influential to my baking. I appreciate them letting my hands get dirty in the kitchen, and which has piqued my interest and love for food. One of my fondest childhood memories is definitely in the kitchen that is brimming with love through an amazing bite of yummy goodness. To the rest of my family and friends who have been very encouraging and have been my cheerleaders since day one.

I am beyond grateful to the small business community who has embraced me with a warm welcome and to my customers for their unwavering support. Your positive reviews and feedback give me the reassurance that I am doing something right. It inspires me to continue to do my best in my craft and offer only the best.

Lastly, this shoutout will not be complete without mentioning my mentors at score.org, who have been with me since this business idea all started, for keeping me accountable as a small business owner.

Website: https://www.cravingsbypeaches.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cravingsbypeaches

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cravingsbypeaches

Other: Email: hello@cravingsbypeaches.com