The small business community is second to none, working together to support one another through it all. In celebration of Women’s Small Business Month, NBCU and State Farm® have partnered to spotlight two incredible small business owners who were willing to share their journey, offer some advice, and provide motivation to the community.
Meet Maria Alvarez, owner of Maria’s Cakes, and Axel Jimenez, State Farm Agent. These two Normal, Illinois small business owners have been supporting each other for the past few years, working together to better their community. Read more on how they turned their passions into a business and offer insight into how other small business owners can too.
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When did you two know you were a good pair? How did you hit it off?
Axel: I owned a bakery and it was difficult to own having no baking or decorating experience, so I wanted to find a home-based operator that wanted a store front. I made a social post and that’s when Maria had seen it.
Maria: I saw the social post and a lot of people tagged me in it and finally my daughter told me it was a good opportunity! I was scared in the beginning, but I could tell he had good intentions. Axel gave me the great opportunity to have Maria’s cake business running out of the storefront.
Axel: Maria was working out of her home at the time with a commercial kitchen in a residential space, and was clearly a hard worker. When we spoke, we agreed on a trial period during the summer where Maria would work and I would foot the bill for all expenses – and in the end if we think it’s a good fit then we would make a deal. And it worked! Maria didn’t make a dollar the entire time, she just did the work when it needed to be done. And since she had never run a business, I helped her with all her business needs and understanding insurance. Our partnership was ignited and has grown ever since!
What drove you both to start your own respective small business?
Maria: I always knew this was my passion and that I would work hard to make my dream come true. I also wanted to be able to give back to my community and help children in Mexico. Now, a portion of proceeds of my sales goes to help buy supplies for children in Mexico.
Axel: I realized I wanted to do something in my community and that would help people. I also knew I wanted to be my own boss while working with people. When I found out I could do banking, mutual funds, insurance and more all in one place I knew I wanted to work with State Farm!
How do you measure success beyond sales?
Maria: My client’s happiness! I had a client that loved my work so much he not only tipped me extra, he was crying and told me “you have no idea how happy you made us!”
What’s the best piece of advice you got when starting your business?
Axel: I learned early on from people telling me there’s 24 hours in a day – you need so much to sleep, so much to be a good husband and dad, and you can still dedicate yourself to your customers without jeopardizing the balance of friends and family. Finding a balance and being mindful of pouring your soul into your business, but knowing you don’t have to sacrifice other parts of your life or friends and family. Finding this balance in your first year is especially critical!
Maria: Sometimes things will happen and they won’t go how you wanted, but you have to have faith and believe in yourself!
How have you each helped each other?
Axel: Maria was able to meet baking and decorating needs that I had no experience in! She really proved herself and saved the bakery!
Maria: Axel gave me the opportunity to work out of the storefront and helped with my business needs. He’s even helped me in other ways – once I couldn’t fulfill an order for cake with a picture on it, so I went to a larger baker nearby and told them my machine was broken so I couldn’t transfer the picture onto the cake. They told me their machine was broken too and they wouldn’t help me. I had to fulfill the order that day and Axel ended up taking me to another store that I didn’t know of and got the cake done for me!
What was your biggest challenge as a small business owner? How did you overcome it?
Maria: Balancing doing a lot of other things inside and outside of the business. When you are the owner, you have so much more responsibility. Axel is a great businessman and helped me work through time balance. I also stopped working side jobs where I wasn’t the boss and dedicated full time to myself where I am the boss!
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started your business?
Maria: Communicate and don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Do you have a personal motto? If so, what is it?
Maria: Work over time little by little and you will get better. Keep going and working on your goal!
Anything you want others to know about your business? I.e. Social handle, specials, etc.
Maria: Not only do we create cakes for special occasions, but we also have unique Latin desserts that are hard to find in our community!
When did you know you wanted to go into this profession?
Maria: Ever since I was 8 years old working in a kitchen, I was watching and wanted to learn more. I knew I had a passion and wouldn’t’ let anything stop me no matter what I went through.
What’s a funny story you both share?
Axel: Any story from our first summer together!
Maria: I didn’t know how to use some machines, they were machines I’d never seen before! I was asking Axel “how do you turn these machines on” and he didn’t know either!
Axel: We were getting orders but no one knew how to work the machines!
Maria: So I said no problem, I will figure it out! I learned and I knew I had to do whatever to make this business work. I never said “I can’t do it”, I knew I would figure it out and would make these orders happen!
What would you tell people about ways they can help support small businesses?
Maria: Spread the word about small businesses in your community! And if you own a small business, don’t be selfish and support other small businesses as well. I’ve seen a lot of small businesses close because they don’t have the support from others, but we can help each other. If you are too busy or can’t fulfill an order, instead of saying no, recommend another small business that CAN do it! Network and share customers when you can. Any town or city has enough business for everyone!
