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

Hi Laura, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I have always been a “busy” person. I can never seem to just do one thing at a time. I also have a hard time saying no to things. So, when the pandemic hit, all the many irons I had in the fire all of a sudden went away! I was directing two children’s shows, 3 choir performances, and also taking on bakery orders. The latter being a VERY part time source of income. Since I could no longer direct shows for kids and perform as of last March, I turned to my baking business and really got it going. Throughout the years, I’ve been the kind of person who is task-oriented, driven, and basically keeps a million plates twirling on sticks! In addition to my career, I have a husband and three beautiful children whose needs come first. So, adding children along the way had allowed me to gradually morph into someone who is able to make sure that my children are taken care of and I’ve been able to grow my businesses while being home with them. When I do need to work outside the home, they get to come with me since I work with kids! Balance for me is making sure that those around me get what they need and that I get what I need. If you don’t take care of yourself mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, you’ll never be able to take care of anyone else. Do I get that balance perfect? Absolutely not. But, there are those rare moments when the stars align and everyone in my small bubble is satisfied and content. Those are the moments I treasure!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelors degree in Music Education. I moved to San Diego where I started singing with San Diego Opera. I’ve been a chorister with them since 2003 and still going strong! I started my company Playground Players Productions in 2016 and took over Edudance Classrooms in Motion in 2018. Since the pandemic, I’ve been building my home baking business Lollypop’s Bake Shoppe. Getting to the professional singing level is a continuous journey. You are always improving, always learning. If you stop using your talent, you can lose it! So it takes continual diligence to become better and better. This is true in all aspects of business and career. One should never stop trying to improve and learn. I have failed many times. I’ve lost a contract, I’ve been rejected at auditions, I’ve made mistakes with baking and decorating, and I’ve been criticized for my business choices. There will always be those moments when you ask yourself if it’s truly worth it. These are the moments that we need to pay attention to! This is when we learn. Without these setbacks, there is no room for improvement. The next time we will do better. I want the world to know my Lollypop’s Bake Shoppe brand as a place where my customers can indulge a little in a yummy baked good or have their cakes or cookies be the centerpiece at their event. Imagination is the ticket! For my performing arts businesses, we aren’t done yet! Once the world can get back to a semblance of what it was a year ago, my goal is to continue to inspire more groups of children to tap into their creativity and learn to love music and the theater. It’s a place where you can be anything!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my friend to the beach, of course! I’d also like to show them Coronado and the Hotel Del. I’d mainly want them to enjoy our fabulous weather! And, I can’t have a visitor come and not take them to Hodad’s!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Luke Monday and JD Dumas of Something Rad Candle Co.

Website: www.lollypopsbakeshoppe.com

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/lollypopsbakeshoppe

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