We had the good fortune of connecting with Elisa Rodriguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elisa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Becoming an entrepreneur was never the goal! It was honestly fate how Elisa’s sweet surprise began to evolve again after taking a 4 year break from creating cakes. In June of 2020 I came back into the business, created an instagram just for my cakes and started posting, that same week I booked the entire month of July. I saw potential and I had a spark that no one was going to turn off. I didn’t know where I was going but I knew I wanted more!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Nothing comes easy, and if it’s easy that means you’re not working hard enough. Although I booked myself an entire month in one week of my return, I knew that I had to do something more. I did research on the industry again and how I can over achieve my Instagram to a growing audience to convert into customers. I slowly learned from mistakes that booking on instagram wasn’t the best form of communication so I purchased a work phone. But my turn around rates lowered. People didn’t want to give their personal number away on DMs? I questioned my ability to turn inquiries into customers and converting first time customers to returning customers and I lost focus. Life was everywhere since I was working a full time corporate job and managing my blooming business. I retracted my focus and decided give it my all again to my business and it’s when I decided to open up my LLC and create a website for inquiries. I invested money into better options than a DM inquiry and since now that is my best form of communication. Trial and error will always be the best lessons. If you don’t try you will never know what works best for you!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If it was a week long I would start off with
Monday:
Aquarium of the pacific
Find a new restaurant around the area to try

Tuesday:
Disney day ALL day long

Wednesday:
Universal studios
Try a restaurant at city walk

Thursday:
Cerritos mall and eat at Morena Mia’s tacos in Artesia, Ca

Friday:
Shopping and end the night at Las Islas Maria restaurant in Ontario, CA with live music

Saturday:
Some off-road day in Azusa canyon and eat at Ola Restrobar in Covina, CA

Sunday:
Brunch at Sena in Downtown Monrovia, CA and explore downtown!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be the woman I am today if i didn’t have the mother god gave me! She raised me with the strong mentality of anything is possible. She has guided me and supported all my crazy dreams and although some never happened the way I wanted to, she never discouraged me. When I became a mother in 2022, I realized I never gave her credit for being a young mom and having such an amazing mindset. I thank her for always being by my side. A big mentor in my life. A mentor in business would be Karen Trejo. We have worked together in multiple occasions but relate so much from strategic planning on our businesses and juggling mom life.

Website: https://www.elisassweetsurprise.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisassweetsurprise?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Image Credits
Karen Trejo Photography

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