We had the good fortune of connecting with Belén de la Cruz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Belén de la Cruz, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I started off giving cooking classes, just having fun teaching people how to make Argentine empanadas. Invariably, after a class, people would ask where they could buy them, and I had no answer. When my brother learned this, he encouraged me to open my own Argentine bakery so that more people could enjoy our empanadas, cakes, and pastries. I never knew that seeing the delight on our customers’ faces could make me so happy. Once you see their smiles, you want to deliver that experience every time.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more, what makes your business unique?
Everything we do at Belen de la Cruz Empanadas & Pastries is “Baked with Love.” There is a lot of me in everything we do, and you can’t replicate that. In such a competitive industry, I try to embrace who I am, be consistent, and avoid distractions. Things are not always perfect, we make mistakes. But I know I will try again tomorrow, and make it better – I have the spunk to keep at it. It’s an attitude. Maybe I was just born this way. Maybe it’s my culture. I feel like I carry a lot of Argentina in me. This translates into the business and makes us unique.

This was not an easy journey. I never planned on having my own bakery – much less five stores and more in the works! As a self-taught cook and entrepreneur, I had to learn how to do everything and how everything worked from scratch. I had to find a suitable location, understand what it meant to have my own bakery, set up a commercial kitchen, and familiarize myself with all the rules and regulations. I had to leave my comfort zone and explore the unknown. There were weeks when I would “fire” myself, and “hire” me again on Monday morning. My will to understand and learn, paired with this desire to be the best I can be at it, keeps me constantly evolving and moving forward. One thing I’ve learned along the way is that there are no set limits. We need to keep challenging and expanding our limits. As we evolve, we grow, and that’s how we move forward.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my friends visit from Argentina, the first place I bring them is home. I want to show them that Atlanta made it possible for me to create a home like we had in Argentina, where I’ve raised a family and my children are happy. My home away from home. I like to show them Avalon in Alpharetta, Canton Street in Roswell, and Johns Creek, where I started with my first bakery. For a day trip, I drive up to the Montaluce winery. In town, I love to share all that Atlanta has to offer. The Chattahoochee Food Works on the Westside, Piedmont Park in Midtown, and the Beltline, where we’ve just opened our newest Belen de la Cruz Empanadas & Pastries store, inside Kroger. I also love to visit Swan House and stroll around the gardens. And, for a real treat, I take them to a basketball game!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m grateful for the first person who suggested that I give cooking classes and for the community that trusted in a self-taught cook from Argentina, encouraging me to open my first bakery and store. I’m grateful for my husband, my brother, and my family who supported me through the arduous process of launching my bakery. To have my kids tell me: “Mom, we are so proud of you,” is the best feeling in the world.

Website: https://belendelacruz.com/

Instagram: @belendelacruz_empanadas

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/belen-de-la-cruz-empanadas-pastries/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100059688683311

Image Credits
Belén de la Cruz

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