We were lucky to catch up with Alonso Navarro recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Alonso, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Finding my purpose at the beginning was really hard. Specially after graduating from college in 2015 I really didn’t knew what I wanted. Ironic right ? After spending almost five years in college and you don’t know what you want. I decided to move away from my country on my own to start a new life. I am originally born and raised in Lima, Peru and as gay person I knew it was going to be really hard for me to be happy, so I moved away. Came to live to the states and the first city I lived in was Fort Lauderdale, Florida and since then my journey started. I was going through a lot of anxiety and depression when I move. Moving into a new country by yourself with no friends or family it was hard at the beginning. I found baking very therapeutic for me. More than a fun activity it was more like a therapy, and after a while that’s when I realized this is what I wanted to do.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Hello! My name is Alonso, and I am 32 years old. I am a baker and a cake decorator and I currently own Beary Good Bakery. I started baking in 2016, when I moved from Peru to Florida. My life had a big twist right after I finish college and I moved away from my country. Baking and decorating for me at the beginning was more therapeutic for me than a fun activity, I was going through a lot of anxiety and depression back then. Moving to a new country by yourself without friends and family, was really hard. But baking helped me a lot throughout that time of the year. After a while it made me realize I was really enjoying it and having fun with it. And also I was really good at. Baking desserts it was a way for me also to communicate and express my feeling throughout baking good. It was a way for me to tell other people “thank you”, “I appreciate you”. I do not have a culinary background, I didn’t went to school for it, I am a self-taught baker . I have learned everything from books and the internet.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe one of my biggest qualities is my work ethic and I am very goal driven. Once I set a goal in life I never stop until achieve it. And that’s what helped me here. When I started back on 2016 I never thought I will be where I am now. I have improve and grow so much and I am very thankful for that. In terms of areas of knowledge nowadays it’s very easy to find everything everywhere online. Specially when it comes to information, tutorials, etc, and that helped me a lot as well to improve a lot of my skills and techniques when it comes to decorating. I am very grateful for this times I hate to say it but the internet and the big baking community whiling to share tips and advices for everyone who is starting their own business in this field.
One of my biggest advice and that I always tell everyone, is to not compare yourself with others. We all are unique and different in our on way. And there will be room always for everyone. Just find your own style and uniqueness and you will set yourself apart from the rest. The internet and social media is a powerful tool and can be very hurtful sometimes. Keep trying and never give up.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I will say in this aspect definitely my family. My mom and dad they have always been my biggest supporters in life and they have always wanted the best for myself. I am not gonna lie, I get my work ethic and I have become a very hard worker because of my mom. She is one of the most strong and powerful women I have ever met in my life. And I am the person who I am right now, and I am where I am in life right now because of her. And I will always be forever grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bearygoodbakery.com
- Instagram: @bearygoodbakery
- Facebook: @Bearygoodbakery1
