Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimena Grimaldo
Hi Jimena, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We started baking 6 years ago.
During Holiday and Christmas season, we traveled to Mexico. My father in law has a friend who is a baker, so he organized a family activity at his home and the baker taught us how to do 2 traditional recipes: conchas and rosca de reyes.
As soon as we went back to Ohio, we decided to bake again, as we were missing our traditional flavors. We got like 12 pieces of conchas, so we enjoyed some pieces with the family but decided to sell the extras. I posted on social media that I was selling pan dulce. I was sure there would be more people wanting to try freshly baked Mexican sweet bread.
The next weekend, I posted again, and again and again until now. For me, having 3 or 5 orders every weekend, was an amazing moment. Without knowing it was the beginning of my small business.
Time passed and we started attending Farmers markets and selling also to companies, museums, schools, etc
Day of the dead, Hispanic heritage month became more popular and trying the sweet side of Mexico and latin flavors became a curiosity in our city.
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?
Its nor a smooth process.
Being an entrepreneur is always a path full of challenge and satisfaction.
Even I am not a chef, but studied Food Science, baking is “science”. Ingredients, temperature, humidity, mixing time, those are variables. Even you follow a recipe, a little change on those variables can change the result. After 6 years, I am still learning.
My husband says that I am the owner of ” Vainilla y Chocolate” and that I started the business, and maybe yes, that was 6 years ago, but now I think is totally a family business. All the stuff you have to handle, you cant do it all by yourself: production, social media, buying supplies, attending events, selling, etc. You need a reliable team, My husband and my kids are my team.
Innovation and growing. Offer always the best products with the best ingredients to your clients. Get out of your comfort zone and keep moving.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I studied Food Science, have a Masters Degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Worked so many years in Mars Mexico – Queretaro ( Pet food ), my husband got a new job here in Ohio 9 years ago, so I had to quit my job and we moved to the US.
I was pregnant at that time and decided to be a stay home mom.
6 years ago I started my own small business while taking care of my kids.
Hobbies: love to run and triathlons
– Half marathon / Cap City Columbus
– Full marathon / Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Triathlons
– Transamerica Chicago
– New York City
Ironman 70.3
– Delaware Ohio
– Louisville Kentucky
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Ironman 70.3 ( Ohio and Kentucky)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vainillaychocolatemx.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vainillaychocolatemx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vainillaychocolatemx/
