Meet Marian Urdaneta | Entrepreneur

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

Hi Marian, how do you think about risk?
My journey illustrates the complex relationship between risk and personal growth. Amid the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic, I took a significant risk by quitting my stable job, driven not by fear but by a sense of readiness and opportunity. My experience shows that embracing uncertainty can lead to innovation and success.
1. Recognizing Opportunity in Adversity: I didn’t let the pandemic paralyze me; instead, I leveraged my skills to create a new business model with food trucks in the company that I was working setting up completely safe for our costumers (a touchless operation online), demonstrating how taking risks can result in unexpected solutions.
2. Embracing Change: Quitting my job was a bold move that required self-awareness and confidence. This reflects how risks can sometimes be necessary for personal and professional fulfillment, pushing individuals out of their comfort zones. (big part for me being a single mom with two kids and having a fix salary)
3. Finding Purpose: After taking the leap, I started baking, I always loved to cook but savory food, not baking. But trying and enjoying time with my kids I started baking which led to the creation of Pavlova by Marian, a dessert business. This highlights how risk-taking can reveal hidden talents and passions, fostering personal satisfaction.
4. Resilience and Growth: my journey embodies resilience—navigating challenges and transforming them into opportunities. Taking risks can lead to growth, both in skills and in self-belief.
Overall, my story serves as a powerful reminder that embracing risk can open doors to new possibilities and ultimately lead to personal and professional transformation.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Pavlova by Marian , we pride ourselves on creating not just desserts, but joyful experiences. What sets us apart is our unique blend of cultural heritage and innovative spirit. Inspired by my Venezuelan roots and the classic pavlova dessert, we offer a taste of nostalgia and happiness, encapsulated in every bite.

Our Journey: From Adversity to Opportunity
My journey began in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time filled with uncertainty for many. After eight rewarding years in the restaurant industry, where I grew from Restaurant Manager to Director of Catering, I found myself furloughed due to the impact of the pandemic on my employer. Rather than letting fear dictate my next steps, I embraced the challenge and turned it into an opportunity.
I started with a simple idea: repurposing food trucks to bring tacos directly to neighborhoods. This initiative not only helped keep my team employed but also reaffirmed my belief in my ability to innovate. This experience led me to realize that I was ready to pursue my own passion.
After taking a much-needed break with my kids, I had a moment of inspiration while making a pavlova for a family dessert. The result was so delightful that it sparked the idea for my business. In August 2020, I launched Pavlova by Marian, and the response was overwhelming. Just two weeks in, I was filling my calendar with orders, and I couldn’t be more excited.
Overcoming Challenges and Lessons Learned
The journey hasn’t been easy. The uncertainty of starting a business during a pandemic tested my resilience. I learned the importance of adaptability, creativity, and the power of community support. Each challenge reinforced my commitment to my vision: providing happiness through delicious desserts. As right now I am evaluating the possibilities of opening a brick and mortar which has been a big challenge financially. Starting up is not easy to have people believing in your dream. But I know soon that dream will also come true.

Our Mission and Vision
At Pavlova, our mission is simple: “Giving happiness one bite at a time.” We want the world to know that great things can emerge from adversity, and that with passion and perseverance, you can create something beautiful. Our story is a testament to resilience, the pursuit of dreams, and the joy that comes from sharing love through food.

Also while working making the pavlovas with most of the ladies being single mothers I started feeling in my heart a different purpose than just the initial mission. A mission that resonates deeply with my experience and values of empowerment and community support.
As a fellow single mother, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges of balancing finances while nurturing my children’s dreams. That’s why I will love to to Create the Giving Cup Project—a heartfelt initiative that I will love to come true very soon designed to support single mothers in providing extracurricular activities for their children.
Extracurricular activities are not just hobbies; they are vital pathways for children to explore their passions, develop skills, and build confidence. Unfortunately, for many single mothers, these opportunities often become the first casualties when budgets tighten. Through the Giving Cup Project, we aim to alleviate this burden, enabling mothers to invest in their children’s aspirations without the stress of financial strain.
This project is more than just about pavlova making; it’s about creating a supportive community that uplifts single mothers and empowers their children to chase their dreams. Together, we can transform lives and foster a generation of passionate, inspired kids.
I invite you to join me on this meaningful journey. Together, we can make a lasting impact and turn dreams into reality. Let’s give these children the opportunities they deserve.

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?
First place I take her is hiking to Sawnee Mountain, and drive by lake lanier on Buford Dam. then take her for a drink and have some tapas at Eclypse de Luna at Halcyon and also take her to a small place at the Halcyon as well called Il bottegone best Panninis and Carpaccio in Atlanta. And not forgetting to take her to Tacos & Tequila’s Mexican grill where I worked for over nine years “my favorite Mexican restaurant” grateful for the amazing opportunity I had there.
Also I will take her to the city of Atlanta and eat at Yeppa another Italian restaurant that I love. Of course take her to the world of coke and the beautiful aquarium.
The Botanical garden will be another beautiful place to take her and eating at Barcelona.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow, my eyes water on this one. there is a big shoutout to my team that started with me without charging me but believing in my dream. My niece Camila Sanchez who is in charge of my social media. Carlos Vera my ex husband who has helped with all the web related, Maria Denis Vera my graphic designer and Staphanie Marquez my book keeper. Teyi Aponte the photography master, The Suarez Lemmo family first thanksGiving all at my house making over 40 pavlovas free labor 🙂

Honey Freytes, Karina Moreno, Teddy Aponte, Noris Aponte, Teyi Aponte, Cristy Pena (They are all pavlova makers) they help me in different times always here to help me when is needed. Adolfo Schael (pavlo driver)

My amazing kids who had being here, encouraging me, supporting me and believing in me. And my Father, my brotheres and my sister all being in my hearts being far away.

and without my Incredible PAVLOVERS!! this dream would never being possible. I feel so Thankful, grateful and blessed.

Website: https://www.pavlovabymarian.com

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Linkedin: Marian Urdaneta

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Image Credits
Teyi Aponte
@teyiphoto