Inspiration will find you, even late at night
Renee Diaz
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Over the years, I have participated in a lot of speaking engagements where almost always students or attendees can ask questions afterward. There are always a few repeat questions asked of me specifically; Where do I find inspiration for my bakery? And has it been hard for me to be a woman in business? The answers to these questions have changed over time, which shows growth in business.
I own and operate a beautiful bakery located in a historic building on Water Street in Worcester. I have spent many years figuring out what my personal style is and how it can be incorporated in my business. Photos from my hot pink and knick-knack-filled bakery in our former location in Millbury are almost cringe-worthy nine years later. Over time, the hot pink faded into a blush pink filled with floral arrangements, vintage touches and meaningful artwork. My style morphed into what I want our pastries to be like. We have always been known for our cupcakes and have since added delicious, freshly baked pastries.
I always had the same goal in mind: fresh, creative, best ingredients I can afford and an ever-changing menu. I had a few rules when it came to décor; no piped carrots on carrot cake, no Hershey kisses sticking straight up on our cupcakes, and nothing named Explosion. I have had a few slick employees over the years try to break these rules, but they know that wouldn’t last long!
When I look back and reflect on business and aesthetics, I have realized any time I have went looking for inspiration, I could not find it. Recently, when I was asked this question in a women’s leadership class for Nichols College, I realized inspiration often finds me. I may see a photo in passing, an image on Pinterest, a color scheme on a paint wall at Home Depot, and it sparks ideas in my brain like little fireflies at night. Inspiration strikes me before I fall asleep at night or wakes me up in the middle of the night. A few people I do business with often ask if I even sleep, because I will message them in the wee hours of the morning with a new idea popped into my head. In a way, I love this about myself. I love the pride I take in branding The Queen’s Cups and owning an ever-changing bakery. Keeping it fresh, as pastry and décor, is what has driven me all this time.
Being a woman in business has certainly had its challenges. However, those challenges seem to be few and far between now. When I spoke at Nichols College, and the students asked about my experience being a woman in a seemingly male-dominated field, I shared the experiences I had when I was younger. I had a few salesmen, and a couple professionals I had hired to help me with certain aspects of business, that most certainly looked at me like a young female who had no idea what she was doing. There is truth in that: I actually had no idea what I was doing. But you never forget how people make you feel, in the wise words of Maya Angelou.
As time has progressed, so has my confidence. I have learned the best way to represent what you bring to the table is to always show up as who you are. I am not someone who is going to show up to a business meeting in a pantsuit (although, I do love a good pantsuit!) as it is just not who I am. I am not going to act like someone I am not to prove I am a good businesswoman. It has taken years to appreciate who I am as a person, accept my faults and learn from my mistakes. I love being in a room full of people who inspire me and who I can learn from. I knew I did not want to be made to feel how I once was, so I show up as I am, and the rest takes care of itself.
I have learned I am not going to be motivated or inspired every day. That is normal and part of human nature. But, when inspiration strikes, I know it found me, and it found me for a reason. It has been an important lesson to realize confidence comes with time and experience. Everyone around us is met with challenges, but when we show up, unapologetically as ourselves, magic happens.
Renee Diaz is the owner of The Queen's Cups bakery in Worcester.
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