Jia Rodriguez (CDN PHOTO/ EDD BUENAVIAJE)
The lady is prim and very dainty—almost bordering on the saccharine. “Are you really this nice and sweet? Are you even for real?,” we ask her. Now almost covering her face blushing with an impish smile, “I get that a lot. Maybe it’s because of the way I talk. But am I really? Hahaha!” Unfazed despite being placed on the spot, Jia Rodriguez shows sincere candor. Thanks to her pedigree—her father the businessman, mother the famous designer and brother the restaurateur—the pastry lady whose thriving business Got Cake? has what you call, the right amount of sweetness. Everyone can just go on wondering how did a single mom and a Nursing graduate at that, successfully made a name for herself. Chances are, she’s already whipping the right amount of hard work for her to thrive—and she’s fixed that she already has the seat in the industry, nowhere else.
Take us back to how your love for the sweet stuff started…
Jia with adorable Eddie (CDN PHOTO/ EDD BUENAVIAJE)
Second year high school. I was 12. I’d have my alarm clock go off at 4 in the morning so I could bake macaroons and bring them to school to sell to my classmates for 2.50 per piece. I’d make 200 pieces every day so I get to go home with 500 pesos. This supported my obsession for Hello Kitty and Sanrio stuff. When the driver comes to pick me up from school, I would go directly to Gift Gate, sales for the day in hand.
Why pastries?
I’ve always had a fascination for cakes. I remember, back when I was a child, I never felt my day was complete if I didn’t have a cake on my birthday. When I had a cake to blow, that made me happy. Cakes, cupcakes and pastries just make me happy.
Your business is doing really well. Did you even expect this to happen?
Definitely not. Looking back it was when I just graduated from my second course which was Nursing. Psychology was my first. Nursing or any medical-related field is very challenging. Apart from the pressure of working in the hospital, there were graveyard shifts too, requirements to submit and cover, you have to read and study every little free time you get. I decided to take a break for a while. I spent two weeks in Bangkok with my bestfriend. I came back so refreshed and rebooted, then something just made me pick up a spatula and my sisters and I made cakes and cupcakes. There was no plan really. It was more of fun. I recall how amazed we were just looking at the cakes and cupcakes we’ve made. When I posted the photos online, I got very good feedback. People kept asking if I took in orders. So I did. That’s how it all started.
You’re a nurse as well as a career woman. Was the transition easy?
Nursing school was very strict. You had to always tie your hair up in a tight bun. You can’t wear nail polish and I’d get reprimanded for sporting a hot pink lanyard for my ID with a pink teddy hanging on the side. Haha. Of course I understood all the reasons for that. But with cakes, my love of creating and arts flourished. I love colors. I love working outside the book. It made me do all that. So, it all was very natural.
People have this misconception of you that you have everything easy. What are your struggles?
My life is far from being perfect or easy contrary to what others may think. Everyone in life has a story. I have mine too. Problems are inevitable. Sometimes plans don’t always work out the way you want them to and at other times, things that aren’t planned, work out. I always believe though that no matter what your story is or what you’ve been through in life, you have the power to turn your life around, pick yourself up should you fall, and make something good out of the bad. I do give myself time to grieve when I feel bad about something. But I give myself a timetable. It’s like … okay Jia, you can cry and sulk for today. But tomorrow’s another day. Get up and create something beautiful or treat yourself to something that’ll make you feel good. Upbeat music and singing alone in the car while driving, long showers, cooking and baking are nice stress relievers too. It’s just really all about learning to roll with the punches.
Got Cake? Christmas cupcakes by Jia Rodriguez (CDN PHOTO/ EDD BUENAVIAJE)
How do you keep up with the growing demand?
I’m very hands on with my cakes and pastries so I hardly get any sleep. That’s the only way.
Is there a need for you to compete? What makes you different from other establishments?
In all businesses, I guess you really have to keep up with what a client wants and asks for. I learned that in economics. Demand and supply. But I do my own thing. I just make sure I put myself in the shoe of the client. I ask myself this all the time. If you order a cake, paid for it, and this is the product you get, will you be happy? I make sure my answer is always a yes. I make sure my cakes and pastries taste as good as it looks. Always. That’s what makes people remember you and come back. I have clients whom I made a wedding cake for, the christening of their child, and every birthday that comes every year after that.
Where do you draw your creativity/inspiration?
I love it when the client does not submit a design for me to follow and they trust my creativity. That’s when it all pours out. It comes from the heart. All that I create, I create with love.
How creative were you as a child?
I had a pink cabbage patch backpack with me all the time when I was 5. Inside were coloring books, a notebook, crayons and colored pens. I’ve always loved writing, coloring, sketching, doodling and doing artsy-craftsy stuff.
Coming from a family of achievers, your mom is a designer, dad is a businessman, brother is a restaurateur—was there pressure from your end to keep up and be at par?
I would say I took after my mom’s creative side. My dad’s cooking skills. My grandmother’s taste. And I am very proud of my brother who worked hard to get to where he is right now. No pressure though. I just did my own thing and followed my heart.
For a time you were a single mom. How was it?
I had to transition in the beginning. I had to learn how to drive and I was forced to know how to use a screw driver and other manly tools. But I learned. And I am blessed to have so many men in my life who are very supportive. My dad has always been in every school program my son was in since he started nursery school. I have three brothers who I could call on anytime. My mom and my sister, too. Family is just love.
What pisses you off?
Hypocrites, non-moving traffic when you’re in a rush and rude drivers who just can’t follow simple traffic rules.
Do you see yourself growing with the business?
Yes. This is me and this is what I love doing. This is what I see myself doing for years and years to come.
Jia Rodriguez (CDN PHOTO/ EDD BUENAVIAJE)
How do you want your business to be five years from now?
My family’s been talking me into opening a coffee shop. I haven’t given it much thought yet. But I would like to have a small cake boutique in the
future.
What cake or pastry will you be preparing for Christmas?
Cupcakes with cute edible toppers are a must. They make everyone happy. That is never off my Christmas menu that people can order every Christmas. It takes time to do but that’s okay. I like making people happy. And some extraordinary specialty cakes—chocolate moist, yema cake, red
velvet—that clients can take home to share and enjoy with their families as I do mine.
What gift will you give yourself this Christmas?
Now that I think about it, I’ve never given myself anything for Christmas since. But I really do love Christmas. It’s my favorite time of the year. I like it better than my birthday even. I like going through my list, thinking of what to give and wrapping presents too. Christmas for me is more of the joy of seeing loved ones unwrap my presents, their eyes light up and hearing that laugh. That is a gift for me in itself already.
And you’re already with someone special right now. Christmas will not be cold to Jia in terms of that “second sweetness” in the love department.
I am thankful that I’ve met him. I am an old school hopeless romantic. Nothing ever stopped me from believing in love.
