Aneesia DelaGarza (12) started her own business called Nene’s Confections. It is a baked good business that primarily focuses on cupcakes.
Her friends Leili Christensen (12) and Kendra Rodriguez (12) have watched her grow this business from the ground up. “It was a slow start, but she has definitely been practicing for a while,” Christensen said.
Inspired by her love of sweets and treats, DelaGarza began the process of starting a cupcake business. “I guess I’ve always liked sweets and the concept of, like, the art behind making cupcakes,” DelaGarza said.
DelaGarza said she has had a dream since she was 7 to start a baked goods business. “I don’t know what about cupcakes that drew me in,” DelaGarza said. “I like the freedom of the creativity that is involved.”
The cupcake business combined both of DelaGarza’s main interests: baking and art. “It was either artist or, like, something with, like, just treats,” DelaGarza said. “And then I just combined them and I don’t know it just, like, suits me.”
The business takes a lot of time out of DelaGarza’s schedule. “It’s something she loves and it’s her passion, so I don’t think it’s ever overwhelming or stressful,” Rodriguez said.
Besides cupcakes, DelaGarza said she makes cheesecake bites, simple fondant and chocolate-covered strawberries.
“She jumped into (the business) and I knew she would do well because she’s great at making (baked goods),” Christensen said.
There are more challenges to owning a business than just producing a product. “I think going to different venues to sell her cupcakes is pretty stressful and, like, transporting everything,” Christensen said.
One thing that has helped DelaGarza is how well she knows her recipes. “I honestly feel like I’ve memorized everything now, same with my cream cheese frosting — that’s, like, my specialty,” DelaGarza said.
One of the most challenging things with starting a business is staying determined throughout the process.
“I think you definitely have to push yourself. I was really scared going into it because I just assumed that, like, not everybody wants cupcakes, there’s so many other cupcakes out there,” DelaGarza said. “So, I don’t know, I think you just have to believe in yourself, otherwise you’re just holding yourself back.”
One of the ways DelaGarza stays motivated is though her family’s constant support.
“I feel like my mom gave me that push, like, she’s really just my go-getter. She’s always just pushing me,” DelaGarza said. “I really appreciate her.”
DelaGarza’s mom isn’t her only inspiration while working on her business.
“My aunt in Wyoming owns a business and I think, like, I used to make treats all the time with her, so I think that kind of just inspired me to try and make my own business,” DelaGarza said.
DelaGarza and her friends have some fond memories from selling cupcakes at a music festival.
“The last cupcake stand we went to visit, there was a concert and it was really cute because we got to help pass out cupcakes,” Christensen said. “She let us help her out, which was, like, a new scene for all of us, so it was really fun.”
The music festival not only promoted DelaGarza’s business but also brought her and her friends closer together.
“One time — me and my friends — we went to one of her selling things at like the markets, and it was super fun and they had, like, a bunch of music,” Rodriguez said. “A lot of people were there and we were kind of just standing there, but we were like dancing around and, like, trying to help her give out … pamphlets and stuff to … have people come in and get some cupcakes.”
That day was an impactful day for DelaGarza’s business with the number of products sold.
“Everybody loved my cupcakes and we sold out and that was really exciting because my family (was there) too and they were really proud of me,” DelaGarza said.
Find DelaGarza’s business on Instagram @nenes__confections.
