Flan, marzipan, gansito and guava — Stephanie Charo bakes cakes in flavors inspired by Mexican culture.
Charo baked cakes for her friends and family for years before opening her business, SC’s Cake Studio in Berwyn. When she was let go from her job two years ago, she took it as an opportunity.
“I’ve always had the dream, and that’s what I tell people now,” says Charo. “Sometimes, starting from zero is the best time to start.”
Charo’s family is from Acapulco, Mexico, and she remembers the flan vendors on the beach when she visited as a child. Plus, she explains that her mother’s favorite flavor is guava, so it was essential to include it.
“Gansito, marzipan are sweets that I grew up with and I decided to make them all into cupcakes,” says Charo.
Norma Martinez, an attendant at the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual expo, bought four cupcakes from Charo at her booth.
“I actually was impressed by the flavors,” said Martinez. “They all sounded very delicious. And I bought four of them, to take them home and have my kids try them.”
Charo’s cake studio is part of the Berwyn Shops program, an incubator that supports local businesses. She explains that she usually bakes her cakes at home, and the program provides her own space to sell her products.“It’s never the right moment,” says Charo. “There’s never enough money. If you have a dream, just start from zero and have that dedication.”
SC’s Cake Studio is located at Berwyn Shops at 6931 Roosevelt Road in Berwyn and is open on Fridays and weekends.
Claudia Johnson is a third-year student at Northwestern University studying Journalism and Biology.
Publisher’s Notes: This story, among others, was produced by undergraduate students in the bilingual reporting class at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media & Integrated Marketing Communications. Led by Prof. Mei-Ling Hopgood, the class aims to help journalism students practice sensitive and ethical engagement and reporting with multicultural communities in Spanish and English.
Photo Credit: Claudia Johnson