We had the good fortune of connecting with Valerie Niggl and Myrna Perez-Topping N/A and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Valerie Niggl and Myrna Perez-Topping, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As coffee and donut connoisseurs, we wanted to start something for ourselves where we could extend our love of donuts and coffee with our clients. We began pursuing this passion for creating a small business just like we do everything-from scratch. We dreamed of operating and owning our own catering business someday and when the opportunity to begin Checker Box Donuts came around, we knew we had to take it.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
1./ What was your thought process behind starting your own business?

As coffee and donut connoisseurs, we wanted to start something for ourselves where we could extend our love of donuts and coffee with our clients. We began pursuing this passion for creating a small business just like we do everything-from scratch. We dreamed of operating and owning our own catering business someday and when the opportunity to begin Checker Box Donuts came around, we knew we had to take it.

2./ What’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
We don’t really like the rule about seeing the glass half-full. While it’s important to always be positive, seeing things as they are, and approaching challenges as such has worked out best for us. Overall, we feel it is best to see the glass as it is as you approach any situation.

3./ Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?
This whole business has been a risk- everyone thought we were absolutely crazy to start a business in the midst of a global pandemic. Crazy it may have been, we are so grateful that we took the risk! Initially, it was tough to imagine that this risk would have such a big impact on our lives. Starting a business during the pandemic has been challenging, but so rewarding to us as a family owned business. Not to mention, serving our clients safely and responsibly has allowed us to succeed in doing what we love!

4./ What habits do you feel helped you succeed?
Great communication- it serves as your foundation to everything.. As a couple/family business, communication is key for developing ideas and maintaining strong relationships with our clients and each other.

5./ What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?
The most important factor to the success of our brand is word of mouth. We are so grateful to our clients who have and continue to spread the word about our delicious coffee and mini donuts. There are many donut vendors out there but there is only one Checker Box Donuts. What sets us apart is the fact that our coffee and mini donuts are consistent and fresh every time we serve-we do not skimp on quality or freshness when it comes to our ingredients. Additionally, we offer customized party decor along with complimentary floral accents for the donuts and/or coffee station. We also offer over 30 different sugars & topping options. Not to mention, we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and experience in the industry. Our main focus is to “wow” our clients and make their experience with Checker Box Donuts positive and memorable.

6./ What’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
The most important lesson we have learned as a group is to have patience and do our best, ALWAYS. We have learned that our clients recognize and appreciate our efforts to make each of their experiences exceptional. Ethics mean everything to us as a company. That, along with reputation and repore with our clients is truly our recipe for success.

7./ Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?
For each of us, this is not our only gig. Working other jobs along with running Checker Box Donuts has been challenging in the best of ways by forcing us to keep the delicate balance of work/life in check. There’s never a “One size fits all” method for finding that balance, so we really try to think about it and practice it day to day. For instance, we assign roles and responsibilities to one another, and hold each other accountable.

8./ How did you come up with the idea for your business? When the opportunity for us to start our own business came calling, we knew we had to answer. We called on a couple of family members, got them on board, and soon thereafter Checker Box Donuts was born. As a team, we developed our branding, concepts, decor ideas, and endless sugars/topping options in our home kitchen. We loved the concept of bringing mini donuts, coffee, and decor to one station to compliment fabulous events and serve our awesome clients.

9./ Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career? There is an element of joy that donuts bring that’s just literally the best thing ever. We put smiles on people’s faces constantly, we have fun with the creative aspects of putting together customized setups/decor, and we truly LOVE what we do! Serving people and making their event that much sweeter with our coffee and donuts is one thing we love, but the connections we build with our clients at these events make our hearts sing. Donuts & Coffee people are truly the best people!

10./ What are you inspired by?
We are inspired by women owned businesses/bakeries, fellow small business owners, and people that do it with love. Whatever that “IT” is for others running small businesses , when you do your job with love, you can always tell-especially if it’s food related.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We would like to dedicate our shoutout to a fellow friend and businesswoman, Molly Buffham! Additionally, we would like to shout out to our local fellow small business owners Sam and Mike Robinson at Arvida Book Co. in Downtown Tustin. These individuals have been instrumental in the success of our business!

Website: https://checkerboxdonuts.com/

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

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

Image Credits
All photos were taken by: Valerie Niggl

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.