Today we’d like to introduce you to Aileene J. Rosales.
Hi Aileene J., we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am the Owner of Andy’s Mini’s here is Austin, Texas! Born and raised here in the city, since I was a little girl I’d spend my summers with my grandmother & she would always have something fun for us to bake or cook. One of our “specialties” was pancakes- both mini and JUMBO. Fast forwarding to when I was pregnant with my son Andy back in 2020, my cravings couldn’t help but take me back to my childhood in which I was craving mini pancakes non-stop, now if you’ve ever been pregnant, you know that you literally cannot resist cravings and most of the time indulge regardless of how much you’ve already eaten.
Each time I’d top them with a different crazy topping and one day I even mixed 8 different toppings -(which are all on our unlimited toppings list) it was the most amazing thing I’d ever eaten. As my pregnancy progressed, I continued to add more and more toppings to the minis and I started to post them on my social media accounts. I quickly got a lot of questions like: “where did you get these”, “did you make those??”, “WOW, are you selling this or how can I get some?”
My messages were flooded. I began to make them for my close friends and thanks to word of mouth even strangers began to message me on social media. With Andy coming and school debt starting to pile up, I felt it was time to step up my game. Not only am I able to connect with my grandmother every single day by returning to my childhood when I’m in the kitchen, but I’ve learned how to network and connect with the community and world via my mini pancakes which is amazing. Andy’s Mini’s is not only my everyday passion but it’s also fulfilling to be able to get feedback from my clients and make people happy! As my business continues to grow, I have added a lot of other delicious treats such as: crepes, fried Oreos, fresas con crema & so much more! Alongside the desserts, I also incorporate private catering, event decorations, paleta Bar (yes, they also include toppings!), balloon garlands & set up which is always a great feature for our clients to add when asking for our catering services and a great way to continue to grow my small business.
I am so proud to be Austin’s Original Mini Pancakes with Unlimited Toppings as well as watching it transform into something bigger. Watching my small business grow is only proof that anything you set your mind to can be achieved with hard work and not only have I seen it within my own experience but also other great small business owners whom I connect with!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like everything in life, there have been bumps and “dry seasons”, there were times when managing school, work, Andy and the business was burning me out but it was important because after I was able to learn how to balance and time manage everything. After sitting down and creating a set schedule, I was able to balance my personal and professional life while having fun doing it all. There have also been slower months than others which can be hurtful both financially and mentally, however, I found that downtime was just extra time to think of the next move, which I now see as a very valuable opportunity.
Even when business is slow it doesn’t mean don’t do anything but instead do more, what can you do better? How can you improve sales during a recession? Once these questions started to flow, new ideas and visions came to play.
I know that with every struggle comes a learning experience that can only make us better and I look forward to continue to grow and learn from Andy’s Mini’s and I try to never get discouraged but instead take in the good and the bad.
As you know, we’re big fans of Andy’s Mini’s. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
As I finished up my studies at St. Edward’s, I wanted to keep allowing Andy’s Mini’s to grow while continuing to spend time with my son. I have been passionately working on growth daily and committing myself full-time to my business. As of now, I personally am in charge of all the business’s social media, deliveries and baking but hope to expand into a bigger space and team soon. The goal is to transform into a food truck and even a storefront one day!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way to get in touch with me is via Instagram through our page @andys.minis – I am basically online all day and frequently check it and post all updates via my story and posts. We do have a Facebook and email as well in which I can always be connected by. I am always looking for ways to grow and collaborate with other local businesses, I try to do giveaways monthly, I attend markets as often as I can and station at HOA’s, schools and other awesome events in and surrounding Austin. Aside from different POP UP’s, I offer full private event catering and can bring everything directly to you- we love to travel! Whatever the next step may be I know it can’t be done alone, community is so valuable and I hope to continue to connect and collaborate with anyone who is willing to grow with me! There is a big saying where my roots come from in Mexico and its “El sol brilla para todos” translating to “the sun shines for all” and I hope Andy’s Mini’s continues to shine and grow just as every other small business doing all of this powerful and truly inspiring work.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andys.minis/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Andys-Minis/100070231515431/
