Today we’d like to introduce you to Xochitl Cruz.
Hi Xochitl, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi everyone! Let me introduce myself, my name is Xochitl, Wife & Mother of four. Living in between two amazing cities Marietta and Hiram so I get the best of both worlds! My dipping curiosity began in 2012 after giving birth to my Youngest, I received a beautiful gift from a well know dipping arrangement company of chocolate-dipped fruit. I guess you can say I was hooked at first bite. After all, it had been my first ever taste at chocolate-dipped fruit and thought to myself, ” I can make these!” So I went out and bought what I thought I needed just so I could satisfy my chocolate fix. Well, I was in for a rude awakening! Have you ever tried dipping strawberries and making them look nice and smooth, yeah I know it was just for me, but I didn’t want to eat anything that looked clumpy and ugly! Lol. So at this point, I was determined, and so started my curiosity on how to make them look “better.” Little by little, I began making dipped treats after family had tried them and began requesting them at dinners, parties and just for your everyday “chocolate fix”.
At this point, it was a mission to make these treats look presentable at the very least. It was definitely a work in progress and at the same time very therapeutic! There’s something about dipping either fruit or a rice krispy treat, pretzel, cookie even a cake pop and it’s like a clear canvas…waiting for your individual art to make it pop! The ability to turn something simple into something amazing, and…it tastes great! Nothing worth having comes easy so many years in the making! So in February 2020 right smack in the middle of Covid is when I decided to launch Berry Lovely Berries…. great timing, right!? Lol, but Husband’s work was slow and I was a stay-at-home Mom so I needed to help supplement income and I took a chance. Remarkably it went great! Who would of known People would love to have another person dip their treats from home and deliver them to you right in the middle of a pandemic! Trying to make a big impact out of Paulding County!! I’m excited to share this story because it’s a glimpse of how things started and where we are today thanks to my absolutely amazing Berry Community or as I like to call them, my Berry Fam!
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?
I’d love to say it’s been smooth sailing, but that would be a total lie. Just like any small business you thrive based on your community, word of mouth is always a huge factor. Unlike other large corporate companies, I don’t have the funds they do, the production, the ability to ship, lol. When I say this is a small business, I didn’t lie, it’s just me. I dip, decorate, pack and deliver! This has prevented me from taking more orders, and that’s money! You’ve seen those signs at local restaurants that say, ” This isn’t fast food please be patient as we make your order”… well that’s me, lol. I give every order all my attention and time so I can only take a few orders a day. I’ve had many same-day requests and although I wish I could take them because God knows it would have help me, I had to apologize and say I couldn’t. One thing I’ve learned is Quality over Quantity! I can’t tell you how many orders I’ve ruined along the way, how much money I’ve lost by trial and error and when you’re a small business, that hurts!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Berry Lovely Berries is more than just dipped strawberries, dipped fruit and treats…it’s a dream you’re helping to make reality. It’s my dream and I’m passionate about it. This is why when you place an order with me and say, “Just make it pretty” I take that seriously! It’s my favorite time to shine, that’s a green light to be creative let my imagination go and provide you with something many say ” It’s too pretty to eat” this ladies and gentlemen is what makes my entire day, week…month! At Berry Lovely Berries I create beautifully dipped treats in chocolate, not candy coating but real chocolate and like I said before, it has to taste great too! The point is to have returning customers and I can’t do that if you don’t like my product!
I’d like to think my amazing customers would say what sets me apart is my customer service. I am nothing absolutely nothing without my supporters the People who’ve believed in me, who place orders, who have conversations with me…the best part of doing what I do is the amazing People I’ve met along the way. My very special Friend/ mentor once told me Customers are Friends who become Family who are here forever! This is why I always make sure to offer you the absolute best customer service there is to give, I always say this on my social media pages and I stand by it, you work hard for your money and it’s my job to provide you with quality! I always do my best to give back to our community when I can, I feel strongly about helping others and about building a beautiful community supporting other small businesses.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Passion, Creativity and Persistence!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/berrylovelyberries
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/berrylovelyberries?mibextid=ZbWKwL
