Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlena Roe.
Hi Marlena, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story began in South Central Los Angeles, where I am originally from. I would watch my grandmother and aunt make delicious cakes, pies, cookies and cobblers. They’re originally from Mexia, Texas and all of the down south baking and cooking, they brought with them to California. What a blessing that was because it rubbed off on me! I think back of the time my mother bought me an “Easy Bake Oven” for Christmas and how much fun that was baking up little cakes and cookies. Never in a million years did I think that those two great experiences would bring me to starting a small business of my own. Some many years later, my grandmother grew weary of baking for others, so I started to look over her recipes and began where she left off. I started just baking tea cakes and german chocolate cakes for family and friends. I then thought to myself, “how awesome it would be to get into this industry professionally”. During that time, I had been in the commercial insurance industry for four years and it became a bit boring. So, guess what? I later enrolled at “Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts” and received my “Associates of Science Degree” and a certification in “Baking & Patisserie” and this is the foundation that started leading me in the path I’m following now.
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?
Unfortunately, it was not a smooth road. I loss my eyesight in my left eye and partially in my right shortly after I graduated from college. I had started working at a French bakery for my externship and they decided to hire me on permanently as a Baker. Shortly afterwards, I moved up to be Assistant Pastry Chef. Then things completely turned left. I woke up one morning to get ready for my shift and noticed that my vision was a bit off when I turned on my bedroom light, I could see streams of blood running in my eye. Becoming alarmed by this, I rushed to see an optometrist only to be referred to a specialist, who then diagnosed me with having a detached retina. This occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow behind the retina, causing loss of vision or impairment. I had one surgery to try to correct the problem but it failed. This devastated me because I was no longer able to do what had become a love of mine. Okay, surgery number two using a different method by having an oil-based substance placed in my eye to keep it in place. To God be the glory, my vision partially restored! However, I could no longer lift heavy objects are be around excessive heat. Again, another hurdle! “How can I do what I love when I can’t use the equipment that is necessary to get the job done”, I asked myself.
At the time when all of this happened, I was residing in Las Vegas, Nevada. I decided it was time for me to go back home to California an ust maybe things would get better. I begin to work for Los Angeles Unified School District in the cafeteria since the job position was not so demanding. I was not happy but bills still needed to be paid and I had kids to provide for. I was on my job for maybe three weeks when I had the same situation to happen to my right eye. I wanted to give up altogether but a little voice kept saying, “Marlena don’t you give up”. The specialists I had started seeing in California told me before my sight got better, it would get worse because now I have the bleeding but no retina detachment. I’m being honest here, I was upset with God! I asked Him, “why me, how could you allow this to happen to me”? He quickly corrected me by saying, “why not you, what makes you so special”? Did I not say, “there will be trials & tribulations in life and it will rain on the just and the unjust”. I understood this and it was time for me to wipe the tears and keep pushing, so I taught myself how to use the oven and microwave by touch only and I bought wooden dowels to help guide me in rolling out the dough evenly for the tea cakes.
My youngest son, seeing that my passion for baking was so great, stepped in to help once my eyesight got worse. What a great help he was! I realized God still had me! At this time in my life, my eyesight is much better, I receive injections monthly to help slow the bleeding and help stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels and I try my best to keep my glucose levels down. However, I am still partially blind in my left eye but that did not stop my dream to start my business “CupCake Connection” that I originally started in California. I’m now residing here in Austin, Texas with my loving and supportive husband, who is behind me 100 percent, who is a native of Austin, Texas.
Before ending this part of the story, I would just like to say, “no matter what trials and tribulations may come because they will come, don’t yield to fear, it’s very crippling. Remember the three P’s (Pull yourself up, Push towards your dream and Pray while going through).
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Cupcake Connection is a home-based baked goods business that was originally started in California in 2021. We are now located here in Austin, Texas in the Northwest area. You can found us at nearby pop-ups in the community that are advertised on Facebook and Instagram.
We offer freshly made to order delicious cupcakes, cakes, cookies and so much more! We took a simple idea of bringing the love of baking delicious treats from our kitchen to those who love the taste of homemade baked goods that are guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth. Our products are offered online and most can be delivered that’s in a 10 mile radius, picked up or shipped to customers. Catering is available as well as special orders (sugar-free, gluten-free or vegan products), we strive to meet our customer’s needs. We’re known for our “Granny Mae’s Tea Cakes” that are soft in texture and our “Going Crazy Banana Pudding” cupcakes that taste just like banana pudding. We always get feedback from our customers that the tea cakes bring back great loving memories of their grandmother’s being in the kitchen baking. That makes us smile, knowing that our customers are satisfied with our products and they bring back great memories! This, is what set us apart from others.
Though we are a home-based online business, I’m prayerful that God has a plan for us to be in a building in the near future!
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
If I’ve learned anything in this crisis, is to stay prayed up keep myself protected and others around me while respecting the beliefs of others and their opinions about the Covid-19 Crisis whether I’m for it or against it. Also, life is too short to walk in fear, anger and destruction. I’m going to live life, encourage, pray and bake! I will not lose the gift and talent God gave to me!
Pricing:
- Cupcakes $15.00 – 54.00
- Cakes $24.00 – 54.00
- Cookies $15.00 – $17.00
Contact Info:
- Email: cupcakeconnectionca@gmail.com
- Website: cupcakeconnection.net
- Instagram: @cup_cakeconnection
- Facebook: @CupCakeConnectionATX
