Meet Monique ‘moe’ Alcalá | Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monique ‘moe’ Alcalá and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monique ‘Moe’, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
There wasn’t really a thought process when I first started this little micro bakery – meaning I have never truly had this grand idea of starting my own business or anything – I simply just wanted to bake & share that with others.

It stated with me taking leftover baked pie that I had made for my boyfriend’s birthday to work and the feedback was incredible. People came up to me and said they would buy this – I was just excited that people loved what I baked and wanted to keep sharing that with others.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
From the beginning I’ve always shared with potential customers that I am not a professional – I don’t have the aesthetic as many other bakers have but my items will always taste delicious! However, I am huge on feedback & I have always welcomed it because that’s how I grow as a baker. This all started with my previous co workers encouraging me to sell baked goods after I had brought in leftover Pumpkin Pie. My thought was – “to hell with it” and I decided to see who would buy a pie for Thanksgiving. To my own surprise I had received so many orders I was completely overwhelmed & amazed.

That all being said, this journey hasn’t been easy. It’ll be 5 years this November of me starting my little bakery business but within that time frame I have worked a full time job which I currently do, I finished up undergrad in 2022 all well trying to balance my social life and trying to practice my skills as a baker.

The fun part about being a baker is that there isn’t a structure I have to attain to – my business name has Pies because that is my main focus but I bake so much more and am known for those items as well. For example, I bake cookies, cinnamon rolls, brownies, breads and they’re all so popular! I’m so proud of that.

I look back at some of my pies I baked in the beginning and can see the amount of growth I’ve had along the way. I really am so incredibly thankful to my customers & friends & family – especially the ones who have supported me from day one.

What I want people to know is baking is my therapy – my passion. The joy I get when someone tries something I’ve baked and they love it, is one of the best feelings. Feeding others is a love language for me so being able to do this through my baking brings me joy. I want people to think of my business as a little rustic cottage bakery and so many have told me they absolutely do. I’m proud of that. Recently at a market I was a vendor at – a customer praised my set up, how beautiful and elegant it looked. It wasn’t the first time someone had compliment my set up either and every time I feel a sense of pride. My table/set up is something I had a vision for a long time and it took effort to execute it. I’m proud to see it come to life each time.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is while in high school, my parents and I lost our house & we were homeless for some time. I’ve been blessed with people who’ve showed me kindness along the way. I try to do that now as I’m an adult. One thing I’m proud to be apart of, is working with the Non Profit Org called Do For The World during the holiday season and I donate baked items that they provide to the unhoused. Last year I was able to recruit a few fellow bakers to do the same.

Bottom line is – I love to bake. Its my love language and it’s therapeutic for me & I’m proud of Little Shop of Pies journey.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m typically a homebody – but one of my favorite local spots I love going to is Common Corners Brewery in Walnut. Another fun shop I would definitely want to show off to a friend is the Local Gem Collective in Orange along with Wild Poppy in Whittier. Not only because I’m totally biased and was a vendor at both these stores but these are all small businesses which I’m obsessed with. I love encouraging friends and family to support other small businesses.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shouout my Mom & my boyfriend – they both have been patient and supportive over the years with me creating my little bakery business – while working full time & finishing up my undergrad. I moved in with my boyfriend the same year as the pandemic & it’s the same year I started Little Shop of Pies – it all started with the Pumpkin Pie I baked for his birthday.

Most importantly I want to dedicate this to my Aunt Chela who passed away many years ago. My fondest memories are of her and I baking – she had a love and appreciation for it & I’d like to think that’s why I love baking so much.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littleshopofpies?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Kim Cisneros