Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Elias.
Hi Paula, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Since a child, I have loved to bake. I have learned many things from my mother, both grandmothers, and by watching others. I have always wanted to have my own business doing what I love best, and that’s having fun in the kitchen. My “Grama Zagata” would always refer to dessert as Z-zert (pronounced zee-zert), and I couldn’t think of a better name for a company specializing in desserts. At Paula’s Zzerts we make all our baked goodies just as my family did, using organic butter, eggs & vanilla, pure cane sugar, unbleached King Arthur Flour, and heaping mounds of love.
One cookie that has always made a difference in my life is the chocolate chip cookie. I would always bake those cookies for my friends and would often bake them for a family friend who was house-bound. I’d even mail chocolate chip cookies to friends in care packages. I’m sure at that time in my youthful zeal, they arrived in crumbs, but it is the thought that counts, right? As a result of sending chocolate chip cookies to a friend away at college, the cookies were a catalyst for me spending almost two years in England as a missionary. A portion of the proceeds from our chocolate chip cookie sales goes straight to the mission field.
As a business, we started out with online sales, catering, festivals and farmer’s markets. Over time, we added street tacos as an offering for hot food at the farmer’s markets and festivals. Eventually, we would split the business into two, creating Joe’s Lonestar Tacos.
We have recently opened our first storefront in Canton, GA, offering a variety of baked goods, and of course, we share the storefront with Joe’s Lonestar Tacos. The storefront also doubles as an event center where we host murder mystery dinner parties and children’s cookie decorating parties.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course, there were and still are struggles along the way. Of course, the increased costs of our ingredients and supplies has made an impact on us. I would say the biggest struggle is creating an awareness that our storefront is open and ready to serve our community. Previously, we always went to where people were now, the roles are reversed, and we have the opportunity for people to come to us. The storefront allows a greater variety of menu offerings, and also opportunities to make memories together as a family by attending one of our events.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are in the memory-making business via baked goods. We make baked goods using family recipes, high-quality and organic ingredients and huge helpings of love. I love hearing people comment that the molasses cookies (or whatever the baked item happens to be) remind them of their grandmother. We also love creating events that will allow families to create memories together. (cookie decorating parties or even our murder mystery dinner parties)
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk taking — opening a storefront during Covid and Covid’s aftermath and now with the increased inflation/recession – that’s crazy. Getting up every day and giving it your all doing what you love to do – that’s joy amidst the risk.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.paulaszzerts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulaszzerts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulasZzerts
Image Credits
Paula Elias
