Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarina Torres.
Hi Sarina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I first started my business during the pandemic around Mother’s Day. I wanted something fun to do to pass the time, I was promoted on Snapchat and it very quickly started to attract people as at that time not many people were making chocolate-covered strawberries in my area. I then created the name “Sarina’s Berries”.
Slowly as I was making orders I started to branch out with different flavors and designs. Next, I set up all my social media and began promoting on Instagram and Facebook as well. During this time, I was also a full-time student at Kutztown University, as well as being a part of Phi Sigma Sigma at my school.
They had already held chocolate-covered strawberry sales in the past so they asked if they could hire me to do it for 2020.
Which led me to find out, that I needed an LLC to be hired, I applied and obtained an LLC from the state, and ever since then I have built my own website and have been hired for baby showers, weddings, birthday parties and I was also the youngest person ever to Present at the Pa Latino Convention in 2021.
I continue to perfect my craft to this day and hope that in the future I am able to make everyone’s special occasion memorable with my sweets.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the beginning, it was very easy for me to obtain customers and dedicate more time to my craft as the whole world was shut down. But as everything opened up I began to struggle with owning a business and all the other things that come along with my life. I am currently a full-time student and in a sorority where I sit on the Executive Board as the philanthropy chair.
I also am a Marketing Director for the Legacy Summit and work two jobs while being in school. Finding time to fulfill orders and even having time to test out and develop new ideas was very slim at one point for me. It was very stressful so I had to learn how to balance my time and be able to dedicate myself to my business. Also having the money to invest in me and buy new things becomes difficult for me.
I have bought stuff that didn’t work for my business and have wasted money on things that didn’t pay off but I feel like it’s all about the journey of being successful. Every struggle and obstacle I have dealt with before and after creating my business and all worth it for pay off I will receive one day.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business is based around making any holiday or special event feel unique and personalized for my customers. Having treats made to your liking with your favorite color makes people feel loved and appreciated. I am known for my chocolate-covered strawberries which I specialize in.
Although I have branched out with cupcakes, rice crispy’s, chocolate-covered pretzels, and my newest item cheesecake jars! I try my best to use the platform that I have created to bring awareness to issues such as woman’s reproductive rights, advocating for students, and the recycling initiative I have started.
I now only use glass jars to store all my products, buy in bulk, use my useable bags, give out glass jars for the cheesecake jars, and use recycle-able boxes and grass inside the box. I am most proud of being able to use any type of business venture I have to be able to educate and give out information connecting people to resources.
I think what sets me apart from others is my dedication to my business, sometimes in my field, you see a lot of people just selling for one holiday or a couple of months just for some extra money. But with me, I take great pride in the name and the business whether how small or large or how many orders I get in a month I am creating.
I have been doing this for over two years now and my willingness to grow and expand as time goes on is truly what sets me apart from others. I would like all the readers to know that If I can create this type of company and continue it for over two years so can you. College students and young people can create successful spaces for creativity and innovation.
It can be you too, regardless of attending school or not you too can be successful. I hope that anyone reading this regardless of age understands that the people you see around you owning businesses and doing all these different types of things can also be you. Hard work and networking especially can get you a lot of places.
So don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to people and talk to everyone you know about what you’re creating because that’s how it gets bigger. Most importantly it is okay to be the outspoken one in the room and to have your thoughts and opinions heard.
What’s next?
As of right now, my plans for the future are to continue obtaining my bachelor’s degree at Kutztown. I would also like to rebrand my business a little bit and switch up some of the menu items, maybe add some new flavors and designs.
I also have plans with my team called the Legacy Summit for the end of the year, as we do the Youth portion of the Pa Latino Convention. I’m excited as ever to network as it’s in my hometown and to be able to open doors for youth leaders. I would eventually like to start my own reseller store on my website so I can help other berries makers obtain the supplies they need to start successfully.
I am also hopefully looking forward to opening up my own little Sarina’s Berries shop and maybe even starting another small business where I help people create and obtain LLCs for themselves. I feel like no matter where I end up my passion for creating art through food and helping people will always coincide, I will always be around to volunteer and provide as much information as I can for people.
Pricing:
- Reg. Chocolate strawberries- $20
- Decorated ones- $35
- Graduation boxes-$40
- Cheesecake reg jars- $7
- Cho. Pretzels-$15
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sarinasberriesllc.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarinas.berries/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=sarina’s%20berries
Image Credits
Sarina’s Berries
