Meet Itzel Rodriguez | Cake Decorator & Baker / home bakery owner

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

Hi Itzel, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
When I was 21 years old I went on vacations with my parents to Las Vegas. We were walking around and saw a sigh announcing the Carlos Bakery. I used to watch the show ” the cake boss” at home that’s why I knew it was that bakery, so I told my parents lets go ! I want to have this experience of being at the Carlos bakery ! We went and I saw everything there, I saw the kitchen where they’re making decorations etc. I felt like I wanted to be there making what they make. Right after those vacations I came back to California and the first thing I did was going to the store and I bought a cake mix box , box of fondant , purple food coloring and pearl sprinkles. I tried to make a cake and I loved it !! it was like when you meet the love of your life and you know this is going to be for ever. I started watching videos on YouTube on how to make decorations and practice then I decided to start pastry arts classes. The classes helped me a lot, I’m still learning everyday with each cake I make.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Raguez Cakes Shop means a lot to me. when I started school I thought it was going to be easy but it wasn’t. Its been a long way to get where I am now. A big challenge that I had was when I decided to became independent right before starting the pastry arts classes and it went really hard but it was one of the greatest decisions I made in my life to become who I am now, Another challenge was that I had to work in 3 different jobs plus school in public transit. My goal was there and it doesn’t matter if I didn’t sleep to get close to my goal. I have learned a lot of lessons on the way, for example don’t let no one tell you, you cant do it or laugh at your work when you’re barely starting. just watch and stay strong. Just trust your process if you don’t no one will do. learn out of the bad comments . no one will ever know the hardest thing you went thru your process don’t let no one think they can put you down. If you know what’s your passion don’t let it go! fight for it. it wont be easy, sometimes you will think to quit but don’t! Raguez Cakes shop is the name I gave to all the bad comments I had, to all the times I thought I wont make it, but also to my good moments my laughs my goals. when people hear about Raguez Cakes Shop I want them to not think its just a cake shop. its a goal in process, its years of hard working, years of learning years of thinking can I really do this? YES I did and I still doing it ! The most beautiful thing about my career is becoming part of my clients life and special occasions and watching them loved and enjoy their cakes.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My bestfriend is coming to small vacations I would plan to take her to the beach enjoy our afternoon drinking a soda and eating ships talking about our life. I would take her to downtown during night so we can relax dancing and have fun. the day after I would take her to the flower fields after that coming back home to rest, After this We would take a flight to New York city to enjoy the rest of the week accomplish the goal we have flighting together to NY. Getting to meet new places together.

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 would like to thank my Family for always been there giving me their opinions, telling me what I can improve, recommendations and support, also I would like to thank all my clients to letting me come part of their special events.

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