We had the good fortune of connecting with Irelina Fereira Romay and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Irelina, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I wanted to create a business that would allow me to be around my kids as much as possible, and at the same time I wanted to teach them how to work as my mother did with me. Since I was a little girl my mother would send me to cooking classes and allow me to be around her when she was cooking and baking. She made sure I did not just go to college, but also have another life skill that would help me provide for my family. My mother is my inspiration.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I can only say that life took me where I am now. My mother learned how to make cakes on her own by reading magazines. My dad supported her to the point that he ended up learning how to decorated cakes too, so I grew up watching them making cakes for the whole family. Cakes were their gift for every wedding and event in the family. Also, I come from a family full of self taught people in different skills like seamstresses, carpenters, crochet artists, math teachers, and more. My dad was always repeating and insisting in our house that if you are going to do something do it with love and passion or don’t do anything at all. That is his recipe for success. For him, success is not measured monetarily, but that you can go to bed after work tired and satisfied. My mother, on the other hand, was the person who was always praying for everyone and willing to help others. Sometimes despite her own limitations. I guess I am a combination of both parents. Circumstances in life keep me where I am and, I have to be honest, I have more than I deserve and I am honored for so much in life. Certainly there are difficult times during this process and failure is hard to accept and embrace, but it is also necessary for improvement, so I guess I can only say that I am not finished learning and I think I will never be finished learning.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have to say Houston is the place to go to eat, the best restaurants are in Houston. The first place I would go is Taste of Texas. I love that restaurant and cannot have enough of it! Then, if the weather allows it, I would take my friend to Discovery Green and spend some time in that park. After that, I would take them to walk around downtown. On another day we could go to Salt Grass. I love that place too and I already know what I am going to order. After that I can take them to Market Street, that is one of my favorites places to go and relax. The rest of the time I think I would spend in the privacy of my home. I love entertaining and chatting a lot.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to say thank first of all to God for giving me the skills and strength to thrive in life and for the parents and family he gave me. I also want to thank my kids and husband for their support and for putting up with me in my crazy challenges. I want to give a special thanks to my friends Susan Ware, Charlotte Frame and Heather Burch who not only taught me important skills, but also taught me how to trust God without a parachute.
Website: www.cakebyIre.com
Instagram: @CakesbyIre
Twitter: @CakesbyIre
Facebook: @CakesbyIre
Yelp: @CakesbyIre
Other: Instagram @CakesbyIre
Image Credits
A big thank you to all my costumers for sharing pictures with me and giving me the opportunity to help them.