Meet Lizette Mendoza | Aspiring Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lizette Mendoza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lizette, what do you attribute your success to?
When others find my business and passions intriguing, my biggest hope is that they leave inspired. I pray that others can leave full of ideas and realistic ways to improve their home or enjoy cooking great meals without feeling any pressure to do anything other than dreaming with me! When opening up their homes with care, love, and hospitality, I want families of all sorts to feel empowered to love their homes without feeling intimidated by today’s expectations of what is good and necessary.
I have such a passion for hospitality and hosting, and I love making a house truly feel like a home! It’s also a huge pillar of my small baked goods business––there’s nothing like a good meal or a homemade sweet treat to really make someone feel right at home! I love learning how to cook, and bake, and learn about different cultures. I try to gain as much understanding as I can about others’ traditions, especially art, home design, and cuisine. I’ve had so many awesome and diverse people welcome me into their traditions, cultures, and ways of enjoying this beautiful world. There is so much to learn and so many opportunities to get inspired!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Growing up, I realized just how much weight the word “influence” carries. Whether I am being influenced by others or I am the one influencing others (in whatever capacity), I never want to take it for granted. I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur, but I just had no idea when or how! It was difficult to just leap––leap into the unknown. I think it was hard to believe in myself and the timing never seemed right. Coming from a huge, creative family I’m grateful for their support. Because of them, I knew it wasn’t impossible.

I just recently got engaged, and with a wedding right around the corner my fiancé, Drew Cochran, and I decided to take the chance and try something new! We thought, “What’s the worst that could happen?” (And we knew that raising some extra funds for the wedding couldn’t be so bad!) We decided to start a small business called Made with Love! The business is in the very early stages, but I’ve loved having something of my own!

This small bakery feels like it’s just beginning… With a handful of markets and the support of our community, it really seems like others love the products and holiday menus! I think something that easily sets me and my small business apart is that I genuinely care so deeply of the product and the way that it can impact someone. I’ve had such great opportunities to create ways to connect with others. And now I feel like I finally can with my own product! Through my recipes, I want others to feel empowered to take the influence back in their own homes, and I’m hoping this inspiration can come from a taste of my treats, or a a glimpse of the content about creating the dish. As a new entrepreneur, the only thing that I want others to feel is the love and care, and I always hope they’ll enjoy my recipes. They’re truly made with love!

Although, a bakery is not the end goal for me, it is encouraging to hear the joy that the treats have brought to others. I have big dreams that go far beyond this stage of this business. One day, I really would love to write a book about lifestyle, interior design, and delicious home cooking!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Some of my favorite spots are Cafe Intermezzo for breakfast, or maybe even Le Bilboquet for brunch!
Lunch spots are amazing like St. Cecila, and Antico’s Pizza! For dinner, anything with a rooftop or live music is always the best! The zoo and botanical garden is almost a need when visiting, too!!

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?
Honestly, my family deserves this shout out! I come from a huge family full of creative and talented people. We have artists, chefs, other bakers, and even musicians in my family!

My family is always pushing me to believe in myself and to take chances on the passions that I love. A lot of what inspires my dishes/recipes come from my family. Had it not been for them introducing me to rich and diverse foods from all around the world, I’m not sure I would dare to have the pallet I have! Most of my family is in Oklahoma, and my being here in Georgia makes sharing the recipes that much more special! When we share them with each other or re-create the dish, it feels like we’re right there with the other.

Instagram: @lizrenaemendoza

Other: TikTok: lizrenaemendoza

Image Credits
Drew & Lizette Engagement by Josh Jasper Photography