Meet Luciana Lino | Custom Cookie Decorator

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

Hi Luciana, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I came up with the idea of Delici.Uso Desserts at the end of 2020. At that time I was into my 7th year of working at my job and adjusting to being a single mother. I found myself finding ways to express my creativity such as baking and drawing. I would bake for all my friends and family, for every event & would stay up for hours coloring and drawing. I’m sure like others out there, I wasn’t having the best time at my day job & wanted to see if I could come up with another source of income that would also allow me to spend more time with my daughter. I saw that people really loved to have custom decorated treats at all kinds of occasions and thought I’d give it a try! I went out and bought all the things to create decorated sugar cookies for my family’s Christmas dinner and got to work. Not only did I have the best time baking, icing & decorating the snowflakes and candy canes, but they were pretty tasty too! Everyone who had one loved them and said they would pay money for my cookies. I decided to offer valentines cookies for 2021 and have had the honor of creating custom treats for so many special occasions since.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a Samoan/Woman owned home bakery that creates custom decorated sugar cookies in the North Bay of California. My business has grown from word of mouth, by using social media to post sales and pictures of all the different sets I’ve made and vending at pop ups and events to connect with my customers. I’m very excited to see what cookie themes I’ll be creating this year and how I can better perfect my techniques. Ive learned that it’s alright to ask for help and to take your time when making big decisions for your business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m located in the small town of Cloverdale, nestled in the mountains of Sonoma County California. When my best friend comes to visit, we would firstly head into town to explore the amazingly curated Cloverdale Nursery to pick up some new house plants. Then walk down to the historic Picks Drive In, that has been around since 1923 to enjoy some burgers and milkshakes. The next day we would grab coffee and breakfast at Plank Coffee before heading down to Geyserville to check out the tremendous views and visit a few wine tasting rooms like, Locals and Trattore Farms. Later that night we would end of day at the Sawmill Saloon to grab a drink and dance to the local musician playing. For the last few days of her visit we would relax a little at the new Beet Lounge for a little bubbly and charcuterie, drop in across the street to the newly renovated refillery co-op SoCo Trading Company to pick up some locally made products. We would end her trip with a day at the river. Pack a cooler full of food and drinks and the car with inner tubes, towels and chairs, head over to the river & have some fun in the sun while enjoying the now full and flowing Russian River.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The entire cookie community is amazing! We’re all here to help each other grow as artist. I’d love to shout out all my customers because of you all I get to do what I love! My friends & community that push me to take the next step and my parents for always having my back. Most of all my daughter for being my biggest supporter and my number 1 reason for working so hard

Website: www.mycustombakes.com/DeliciUso

Instagram: @Delici.Uso

Facebook: @Delici Uso