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20 Worcester Business Journal | March 29, 2021 | wbjournal.com 21 Apex Drive, Marlborough, Ma 01752 • (508) 251 8666 • ApexEntertainment.com HOLIDAY PARTY or THE PERFECT VENUE FOR YOUR NEXT: W The Hustle is Real BY RENEE DIAZ Inspiration will find you, even late at night O ver the years, I have participated in a lot of speaking engagements where almost always stu- dents or attendees can ask questions aerward. ere are always a few repeat questions asked of me specifi- cally; Where do I find inspiration for my bakery? And has it been hard for me to be a woman in business? e answers to these questions have changed over time, which shows growth in business. I own and operate a beautiful bakery located in a historic building on Water Street in Worcester. I have spent many years figuring out what my personal style is and how it can be incorporated in my business. Photos from my hot pink and knick-knack-filled bakery in our former location in Millbury are almost cringe-worthy nine years later. Over time, the hot pink faded into a blush pink filled with floral arrangements, vintage touches and meaningful artwork. My style morphed into what I want our pastries to be like. We have always been known for our cupcakes and have since added delicious, freshly baked pastries. I always had the same goal in mind: fresh, creative, best ingredients I can afford and an ever-changing menu. I had a few rules when it came to décor; no piped carrots on carrot cake, no Hershey kisses sticking straight up on our cup- cakes, and nothing named Explosion. I have had a few slick employees over the years try to break these rules, but they know that wouldn't last long! When I look back and reflect on busi- ness and aesthetics, I have realized any time I have went looking for inspiration, I could not find it. Recently, when I was asked this question in a women's leader- ship class for Nichols College, I realized inspiration oen finds me. I may see a photo in passing, an image on Pinterest, a color scheme on a paint wall at Home Depot, and it sparks ideas in my brain like little fireflies at night. Inspiration strikes me before I fall asleep at night or wakes me up in the middle of the night. A few people I do business with oen ask if I even sleep, because I will message them in the wee hours of the morning with a new idea popped into my head. In a way, I love this about myself. I love the pride I take in branding e Queen's Cups and owning an ever-changing bak- ery. Keeping it fresh, as pastry and décor, is what has driven me all this time. Being a woman in business has certainly had its challenges. However, those challenges seem to be few and far between now. When I spoke at Nich- ols College, and the students asked about my experience being a woman in a seemingly male-dominated field, I shared the experiences I had when I was younger. I had a few salesmen, and a couple professionals I had hired to help me with certain aspects of business, that most certainly looked at me like a young female who had no idea what she was doing. ere is truth in that: I actually had no idea what I was doing. But you never forget how people make you feel, in the wise words of Maya Angelou. As time has progressed, so has my confidence. I have learned the best way to represent what you bring to the table is to always show up as who you are. I am not someone who is going to show up to a business meeting in a pantsuit (although, I do love a good pantsuit!) as it is just not who I am. I am not going to act like someone I am not to prove I am a good businesswoman. It has taken years to appreciate who I am as a person, accept my faults and learn from my mis- takes. I love being in a room full of peo- ple who inspire me and who I can learn from. I knew I did not want to be made to feel how I once was, so I show up as I am, and the rest takes care of itself. I have learned I am not going to be motivated or inspired every day. at is normal and part of human nature. But, when inspiration strikes, I know it found me, and it found me for a reason. It has been an important lesson to realize con- fidence comes with time and experience. Everyone around us is met with chal- lenges, but when we show up, unapolo- getically as ourselves, magic happens. Renee Diaz is the owner of e Queen's Cups bakery in Worcester.