Today, we’d like to introduce you to Amy Padilla.
Amy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As far back as I can remember, creativity has been a driving force in my life. It wasn’t until my early teen years that I discovered my passion for baking. For years, I happily baked for friends, family, and coworkers. However, everything changed in 2009 when a friend encouraged me to enter a cupcake contest in Austin. To my surprise, I walked away with two trophies, sparking the idea of opening my own bakery.
But as life often does, it threw a curveball our way in 2016 – three adorable kiddos and countless cupcakes and cakes later, I decided to hang up my apron temporarily to spend more time with my young kids. It was then that our family made the move to the wonderful community of Liberty Hill.
Fast forward to today, my kids are now young teenagers, and my love of baking has called me back. In early 2021, I grabbed my apron and opened The Treat Box, TX. Here, we’re all about small treats with big flavors!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Navigating the journey of entrepreneurship has certainly had its share of ups and downs, and like many entrepreneurs, striking the right balance between family and business has been the greatest challenge for me. In the early days, with a young kid at home, I often struggled with that familiar “mom guilt.” Striving to be present for my three kids while growing my business was no small feat. There were many instances of trial and error as I worked to find that balance between family commitments and business demands. Ultimately, I made the decision to prioritize my family and step back from the business for a period of time. I didn’t want to miss out on those precious moments with my children when they were young.
However, as life settled and my children grew a bit older, I felt the creativity and baking bug calling me back. With a bit more life experience under my belt, I started on this journey once again. This time, I feel a little older and wiser. Today, the road feels much smoother. Now that we are in a different chapter of life and my kids are young teenagers, I am incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside them in the kitchen, passing down the art of baking and entrepreneurship. The quality time spent with my children is truly the greatest blessing, and it makes every hurdle along the way worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love nothing more than blending my creativity and mouthwatering flavors to create the best treats imaginable! My bakery offers a variety of services designed to meet customers’ needs and preferences.
Firstly, I specialize in custom orders, where I thrive on turning customers’ ideas into edible works of art. From cake pops to custom buttercream sugar cookies and even brownie donuts, I love bringing unique treats to life. My custom cookie cakes, which have been gaining popularity, are a particular favorite among our clientele. Plus, for corporate clients, I offer logo cake pops and cookies that showcase our signature soft and chewy sugar cookie base topped with our fluffy, light buttercream.
Secondly, the treat boxes are where The Treat Box TX began. I curate these boxes with a mix of individual treats, each hand-decorated and a part of a common theme, usually inspired by holidays. Ranging from 6 treats to 50 treats, our treat boxes are a perfect way to indulge or share with loved ones.
Finally, you’ll find me rolling up my sleeves and diving into local events and markets, where I get to engage with our community directly. These events not only allow us to introduce new treats but also receive invaluable feedback from our customers.
While we’re most renowned for our cake pops and their fun designs and unique flavors, we take immense pride in the recognition we’ve received over the years. We’ve had some memorable achievements along the way. In 2009, our Kona Kahlua cupcake clinched both Best Amateur Chocolate Cupcake and Best Overall Chocolate Cupcake in Austin at the inaugural Cupcake Smackdown. Then, in 2023, we were honored to be voted Best Sweet Treats by the Liberty Hill community. Each accolade only adds to our passion for baking.
What truly sets us apart, however, is our unwavering commitment to detail and creativity. I pour my heart into every treat, ensuring they not only taste amazing but also look like miniature works of art. By limiting the number of custom orders we take, I guarantee the extra time and attention necessary to create treats that are truly a step above. It’s incredibly rewarding to hear our customers say, ‘This is too pretty to eat!’.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Customer connection is at the heart of everything we do here. In today’s digital age, where so much interaction is virtual, I believe it’s crucial to establish a genuine connection with our customers, especially when they trust us to help celebrate their special occasions. Understanding their vision and needs is paramount.
That’s why I prioritize taking our conversations and order processes offline whenever necessary, providing our customers with the personalized attention they deserve. It might seem like a small gesture, but it’s becoming increasingly rare in today’s world. By doing this, we ensure we’re fully tuned in to our customers’ desires and can deliver exactly what they’re looking for. It’s these personal touches that truly set us apart from the crowd.
Pricing:
- Treat boxes start at $25
- Custom logo cookies start at $36/dz
- Custom logo cake pops start at $66/dz
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thetreatboxtx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetreatboxtx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetreatboxtx/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-treat-box-tx-liberty-hill
