Her Story
About Amaya
I currently own my own small business called Love and Bake, which we consider a nostalgic bakery. Our goal is to help families create new memories while reflecting on old ones, one dessert at a time. I started my business for two reasons: to honor my grandfather, who was big on food, family, and tradition, and to create generational wealth for my daughter. My goal was to help other families connect with one another through food, like I did with my grandfather. I've been in the food industry for 15 years, starting as a cashier at Fuddruckers. After having my daughter, I moved back home to attend culinary school, where I earned my bachelor's degree in culinary management and graduated with honors. I got my first full job with a nonprofit working in their kitchen, and I went all the way up from prep to interim supervisor. While working there, I went back to get my master's in restaurant hospitality management from the University of Alabama. I actually opened my bakery right before going back to school when I started making beignets. I officially started running my business in 2018 from home, and it grew through COVID all the way to where I'm in a commercial space right now, doing pop-ups, catered events, and taking orders online through Google and social media.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amaya
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of my chefs from culinary school, Chef Shuby, really encouraged me to think outside of the box when it came to food. Not that we make it every day or follow a recipe, but thinking about how the food makes the customer feel beyond it tasting good. He was my favorite chef, and he still really encourages me. He was a big part of my culinary journey when I was going through culinary school.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say to believe in herself, that it can be hard. There are gonna be days where things just don't go your way, but if you believe in yourself, and believe that the purpose that has been placed in your life is bigger than anything you can dream of or imagine, you'll get it.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
It's important for people to know that there is a real person behind my brand. When I talk to people, they don't understand that I answer emails and I bake until they talk to me and see my story. The same person who's baking cookies for someone's birthday is the same person who gave them great customer service, so there's no boundary or wall between me and the customer. I think it's important for people to not only know me for baked goods, but also see that I am a real human being. I am a wife, I'm a mom. I love taking care of my daughter, I love spending time with my family. There's a real person outside of Love and Bake. I'm not just a baker or a business owner trying to make money. I want people to feel good about what they do and what they get from me.
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