Looking to support a small business in Parkdale? Presenting seven small businesses you should look into. Covering Baking, Jewelry, Crocheting and more! 

1.) Claudia Hidalgo Chicas – Sweetreatsbyc

Junior Claudia Hidalgo Chicas, sells brownies and delicious cakes like churro cheesecakes and tres leches topped with juicy cut strawberries. Chicas has said she started baking for fun, she brought brownies to school and started to receive more requests! Now she sells a variety of yummy sweets.

Her mission in her business is to satisfy her customers’/friends’ cravings. She loves seeing smiles on people’s faces when they try something new. There are hard times in small businesses, for Chicas, the hardest part of her business is the bad sale days, “when starting and handling a business, It includes good and hard times, but that’s what makes you come back 10 times stronger!” She said.

Go check out what treats she has this week!

Instagram: @sweetreatsbyc

2.) Marissa Merino – Mimi’s Sweets ‘n Treasures

Junior Marissa Merino loves baking and got her inspiration from her mother’s legacy.

Merino wishes to further grow her business and wants to grow diversity in the sweetest of her treats, which some may not be able to obtain. With a huge variety of products, From drinks to cakes! To Merino, her business brings her joy and she wishes to carry her legacy and inspire others. 

“No matter the situation/circumstances you are currently in, there is always a way out leading to a better future,” Merino said.  

Don’t forget to place an order for churros or macarons!

Instagram: @mimis_treats_n_treasures_

3.) Gabriela L. Garcia – Gabby’s baking

Junior student, Gabriela L. Garcia,  started her baking business in the 8th grade but she didn’t see it going very far as she was doubtful through the slow sales for some days or weeks. Her business started as a small thing she did to make money, but she grew to fall in love with what she did. 

“You can’t have success without a few steps back,” Garcia says; she values her small business and customers and thinks of businesses as blessings.

Putting a smile on people’s faces with her treats, her favorite product to make is cheesecakes! There are so many combinations to choose from, she describes it as a very delicious creamy dessert. 

She never thought she would be able to interact with customers one-on-one, luckily she got the chance to do pop-ups. Garcia’s hope for the future is for her home-based business to move to a small truck or commercial kitchen. She wishes to reach her dream audience–people who love what she does.

“I make what I feel like I will be best at and what my customers love the most from me,” she says. It makes her day to hear her customers’ reviews about her homemade pastries. Especially when her customers see the small details she adds. She is very proud of where she started, and where she ended up!

Order from Garcia, she has delicious party treats!

Instagram @gabbys_baking_

4.) Evelyn Bravo Guzmán – Sweetreatsbyeve

Have you ever heard of a florist and baker? Look no further, you have found Evelyn Bravo Guzmán! 

In the beginning of Guzmán’s business, she was nervous to start it, but with the support of friends and family, she was able to start her own business. With the help of them promoting her, she received several orders and was so happy to give her customers happiness through her orders.

Her favorite product to make is eternal flowers because of how long they last. She loves that her customers can have them forever! 

Guzmán does not claim to be perfect, she admits to mistakes she’s made. Guzmán says “My business is unique because it started as a young teenager at home and learning through mistakes.” Committing to fair pricing so at the end of the day both she and her customers are happy!

Order flowers from Guzmán; they last forever! And don’t forget to get yourself some yummy chocolate-covered strawberries!

Instagram @sweettreatsbyeve_

5.) Jessica Marin Lopez’s- jessijewlz

Freshman, Jessica Marin Lopez, is a jewelry maker. She makes custom keychains and bracelets! All her Instagram posts are so organized and pretty!

Lopez does not have a favorite style to sell. She is open and enjoys exploring all styles. She hopes her business will reach those who love jewelry, and those who would like simple affordable accessories. 

She was inspired to become an entrepreneur because of the many people around her that had custom jewelry. It began as a fun hobby for her, until she realized she had a passion for it, so she decided to take it a step further by creating her own business.

Order a custom phone charm from Lopez! She is open to creating anything!

Instagram @jessijewlz0

6.) Dayanna Orellana Melendez – Chloedayrainbow

Featuring myself! I own my own small business since late February of this year! I was inspired by Merino who learned skills throughout her business journey. I have always loved to create and loved shopping at Lovisa in malls especially when jewelry was cheap. However, I never really thought about how it’s made.

I was hesitant at first to start this business because I didn’t know if I would be able to run it since I’d failed acrylic nails after years of practice. But with the reassurance of my friend’s support, I thought to myself “I know I can do this, and I will.” I created my Instagram account before I ever got to order anything. I just waited for my birthday to come by and with money from my birthday party. I used $300, give or take, to buy little by little. Now I sell custom earrings, keychains, necklaces, phone charms, and bracelets. I always think of my customers as little me’s, always considering my prices to be as low as possible. 

@Jewlerybyme2025

7.) Rachel Nzeni’s – Cozylikecarila

Rachel Nzeni is a senior! She owns a small business where she creates custom crochet products. Inspired by her mother who had a cloth side business, and her grandmother who made crocheted bags. Nzeni’s business is unique because she has a partnership with other crochet businesses to serve customers with connected products. In Nzeni’s business, customer satisfaction is prioritized over profit. Nzeni explains that as long as you have talent and the passion behind the talent; with the right help, you can start a business.

If you want a custom plushie you should order from Nzeni! 

In fact, according to home.treasury.gov small businesses contribute a lot to our economy. Especially since the pandemic, small businesses are growing more very hopeful in 2024, which is because of the decline in inflation worries and continued strength in consumer spending and business investments.