Meet Fuatino Ruiz | Owner

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

Hi Fuatino, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success and I believe for most people’s success is having a great support team. I can honestly say I have the best support team. I am a wife and a mother of 4. Juggling being a wife, mother and a business owner is tough at times, it gets hectic and challenging, Last year, in 2021 when I started my business, it was during Co-vid and around the time my kids had to do online school. It was very challenging, I remember breaking down a couple of times, but I had to gather myself, my kids needed me. They motivate me each and every day to do better. They definitely keep me on my feet. I am grateful for my husband for always being my rock. He has supported my dreams since day 1. With a great support team, anything is possible in life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I call myself a Treatmaker! I started my business in 2021. I have always been fascinated with charcuterie boards and anything dipped in chocolate. I love chocolate! I knew I had to start a business around something I love. So I started putting together my own treatboxes. With my treatboxes, I like to have a variety of things inside, from chocolate treats, candies, fruits, wine, breakables, you name it, it’s in there! I love putting treatboxes together, it’s my way of showcasing my creative side. I remember seeing a chocolate breakable heart for the first time, and I was amazed by it (hahaha) I was like omg, what is that? It’s different! since then, I started watching YouTube videos on it and practicing making them. I’m not gonna lie, when I first started making them, it wasn’t easy, and I remember wanting to give up, but I told myself, the only way to get better at it, is to keep practicing, and eventually I got it. Then came the chocolate covered strawberries, and so on. I am proud of the hard work I put in to my business, with me being a mother of 4, I hardly have any time to myself. Most of my time is being consumed by my kids, but with a consistent daily routine, I was able to get my business started. Being patient with myself was one the lessons I’ve learned. Patience is key in what I do in my daily life. I have to be patient and trust the process. I want the world to know, that I am a wife, mother and now a business owner. I felt like I needed something outside of being a wife and mother. I needed something for me, and that’s why I started my business. I felt like once I became a business owner, I’ve accomplished my goals in life. I am complete!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love sports and I love to eat! Being from LA, I am a huge Lakers fan, so of course I would take her to a Lakers game. It’s the hottest ticket in LA. Then of course there’s the Dodgers, going to a baseball game would be on my list, and then there’s SoFi Stadium. One of the best, if not the best stadium in all of football. Who wouldn’t want to catch a football game. You can’t leave LA without visiting some of our popular beaches. First on my list would be Hermosa Beach Pier. It’s so much fun to walk. They also have a great restaurant there, called Watermans! Great food and just such a great vibe there. Then there’s Redondo Pier, again, I love food, they have a restaurant called Tony’s on the Pier. My husband took me on a couple dates there, food is good. You can’t go wrong with Venice Beach, Venice Beach has always been one of my favorite beaches growing up, so much to do down there. Oh and you can’t forget Santa Monica Pier, definitely a tourist attraction here in LA. I love it there! The boardwalk is great. I love chicken sandwiches. Some of my favorite chicken places, is Cluck & Blaze and Main Chick Hot Chicken which are both in Long Beach. The chicken sandwiches are on fire. I love them both, and don’t forget the mac and cheese, both places have great mac and cheeses. Ill definitely take her to a Farmers Market, I love the one at Wilson Park in Torrance, great food and music. Last but not least, drinks! I love wine! I would take her to the Malibu Wines & Beer Garden. They have a variety of wine and craft beer. The vibe and view there is amazing. There are tons of things to do and check out in LA but going to sporting events, eating great food and wine drinking are definitely on my to do list when people are visiting LA.

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?
I credit my family! When I say family, of course my husband and kids but my extended family as well (sisters, brothers and cousins) has also played a role in my success. I come from a big family. I am the oldest of 8. I have 4 sisters and 3 brothers. I can honestly say, they have shown me love along with their spouses since I started my business. I have my cousins who have been there too. One of whom, is one of my best friends. She has shown me so much encouragement and I appreciate her for that. My husband and kids are my biggest supporters!

They witness the ups and downs daily, they truly are my biggest motivators. They all deserve a little credit and recognition for the success of my business.

Instagram: @tantalizingtreatboxes

Facebook: Tantalizing TreatBoxes By: Tino Ruiz

Other: Email: tino_ruiz@tantalizingtreatboxes.com