Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina Gutierrez.
Cristina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started Chica Churros because I have always loved churros but here in our area the only way we could get them is at the Mexican bakeries but in Mexico you can get them freshly made and when you have them that way you won’t ever want them any other way. So I started playing with different recipes. I own a baking business that operates under the cottage food law where we specialize in the most delicious buttercream frosted cookies and cake pops made from scratch (Cristina’s Sweet Obsession) so when I would do Pop-Ups I started taking our churros to test the water and see if people would love them and they did. Thing was that under cottage food law they had to be pre made at home and pre packaged, but I knew if I could bring them hot and freshly made they would be a bigger hit. So I went for it and it wasn’t easy because they had never seen anything like what I wanted to do. But finally in November we became the first licensed Churro buisness in Genesee county. So we got to work and started doing Pop-Ups and now we are at the Fenton Farmers Market every Thursday and Owosso Market on Saturdays. We have been receiving lots of positive feedback back and repeat customers.
We’re excited to continue growing and hope to be part of weddings, graduation parties, corporate events, and celebrations in the future.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Getting licensed was definitely a challenge because our business model was something new for the area. We had to navigate a lot of questions and requirements along the way, but we’re proud to be the first licensed churro buisness in Genesee County.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We are Chica Churros, a mobile churro catering and pop-up business specializing in fresh, made-to-order churros. Unlike many dessert vendors, our churros are prepared and fried on-site, allowing guests to enjoy them hot, fresh, and customized with their choice of drizzles and toppings.
We are most proud of turning an idea into a successful business. One of our biggest accomplishments was navigating the licensing process for a business model that was relatively new in our area. It took a lot of determination, research, and hard work, but we were able to become fully licensed. I would say what sets us apart is the experience we provide. We don’t just serve dessert we create a memorable experience where guests can watch their churros being made fresh and customize them. Our focus on customer service, and creating something unique has helped us build a loyal following in a short amount of time.
As we continue to grow, we’re excited to bring our churro experience to more weddings, graduation parties, corporate events, festivals, and special celebrations throughout Michigan.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important thing I learned was not to give up. Starting a new business came with plenty of challenges and there were moments when things felt overwhelming, but it taught me that staying persistent, being willing to learn, and continuing to move forward even when things were difficult will pay off.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chica_churros?igsh=enUwZWxzYndqcDRv&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AeohVhCcU/?mibextid=wwXIfr
