(Editor’s Note: This post was updated at 6:14 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, to reflect that the owner’s last name is Carver, not Carter)
By Amira Van Leeuwen
WIMBERLEY — A Puerto Rico native, Jennifer Carver, dreamed of having her own business, but she was never sure what kind until the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Like many others, Carver stayed home and finally had the time to brainstorm and develop the idea of starting her own bakery: Coquí Sweets Y’all.
CONTRIBUTED BY JENNIFER CARVER
Guava pastries are a common dessert in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.
Coquí Sweets Y’all started operations in 2021. The name was partially inspired by Puerto Rican tree frogs – and she also wanted to embrace her Texas culture by adding ‘Y’all’ at the end.
“That just had a good ring to it,” Carver said.
Initially, Carver thought she would like to bake larger cakes but decided cupcakes were a better fit.
Carver is a cottage baker, meaning she bakes from home and produces traditional Puerto Rican Bizcocho Mojadito cakes and cupcakes, which is a moist vanilla cake with almond frosting. Carver also bakes guava pastries, a common dessert in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. The guava pastry is a puff pastry with guava paste filling and powdered sugar.
Carver explained the challenges associated with starting her own business.
“It’s just me. I don’t have employees or anything of that sort,” Carver said. “[I am] the manager, the baker, the marketing; [I am] the person that does the shopping, customer service.”
Carver said her small business has been an “adventure.”
“There’s just so many ins and outs,” Carver said, referring to the small things small businesses need for pop-ups. “It’s not just your product and you showing up. You need your canopy, your table, all the little details.”
All of Carver’s baked goods must have a sticker detailing what the product is and any allergens with a “Thank You” sticker.
In the future, Carver would like a commercial kitchen where shipping could be an option, along with a small storefront. She is also working on an official website that will be up and running within the next month.
A half-dozen cupcakes order starts at $18, and friendship mini-cakes are $9. Single cupcakes and Coquí Sampler boxes are currently only available at pop-up events. There are four cupcakes and two guava pastries included in a sampler box. Coquí Sweets Y’all’s next vendor event will be at BooHole Halloween at Blue Hole in Wimberley on Oct. 29 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Those interested in placing an order can select “Get quote” on Coquí Sweets Y’all’s Instagram page, send Carver a direct message on Facebook/Instagram or email questions and orders to [email protected].
