Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Ojeda-Gutierrez
Hi Alexandra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Since I was 10, I liked baking. I even put together my own little recipe book as a kid. I kept it up as a hobby after I started working full-time. In 2018. I started experimenting with gluten-free and dairy-free baking. Sharing these on social media was how I unofficially started of Alita’s Bakery. I realized how much passion I had for bakery and started dreaming of having my own bakery, and I finally took the leap in 2024. I had gotten married and had a beautiful daughter in 2021. However, the pregnancy came with many medical complications that forced me to quit my full-time job. For the next few years, I kept battling medical issues and focused my energies on parenting. During an especially difficult moment, I promised to myself that if I got through all of it, I would pursue my dream of baking for a living. I wanted to show my daughter that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams and overcome difficult challenges. Thankfully, things worked out, and the rest is history!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. I’m a perfectionist, so I wanted to bake everything and bake it well. I spent a lot of time trying new recipes and refining them. What I eventually realized was that I needed to focus on a few items and make them incredible. Even then, getting to what I envisioned took months as well as lots of dry cinnamon rolls and flat cookies 😂.
On top of this, I’m still recovering from medical issues, so I need to pace myself and accept that things sometimes tale me longer than usual. Thankfully, as the months have passed I have a lot more energy and am able to accomplish more.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the owner and head baker for my own business Alita’s Bakery. We sell freshly-baked cookies and rolls online and at pop-up events. While we make a fantastic chocolate chip cookie and cinnamon roll, bur we also like to mix it up. We male delicious twists on these classics, like red velvet cookies and lemon-blueberry rolls. Our goods are beautifully packaged and make great gifts.
On the side, I also work part-time as a substitute teacher in my daughter’s school 🙂
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The pandemic was tough on all of us. Personally, I was laid off from my full-time job, it prevented much of my family from attending my wedding, and most importantly, I lost a loved one. Still, we made it through and were able to come out with some good memories as well.
Be present and appreciate all your loved ones. It doesn’t matter how hard things get. You have to remember you are strong enough to keep going.
Pricing:
- Cookies – $18 for 24 ( mini ) & $15 per dozen ( medium) & $24 per dozen (large)
- Seasonal Cookies – $20 for 24 ( mini) & $16 per dozen (medium) & $30 per dozen (large)
- Shortbread – $24 for 20 ( medium)
- Cinnamon Rolls – $25 per dozen (medium) & $30 per 24 ( mini)
- Specialty Rolls – $ 28 per dozen ( medium) & $33 per 24 ( mini)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alitasbakery.my.canva.site/homemade
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alitas_bakery
Image Credits
Steph Barboza
https://www.instagram.com/stephbarboza.photo/
&
Sofia Espina
https://www.instagram.com/sofiaespina?igsh=NGVteHY0NnIxd2sw
