On this episode, we speak with Kristine de la Cruz, foundher and owner of Creme Caramel LA, a bakeshop specializing in custard-based artisanal food that uses Filipino and traditional ingredients and recipes.

You will learn about:

• How Kristine used and still uses a business plan to guide her decisions for Creme Caramel
• Testing a concept at farmers' markets and growing a following that would justify a permanent location
• The importance of creating multiple distributions channels - direct to consumer and wholesale
• Tools and skills that every business owner should have

Kristine is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and has participated in the Small Business Majority Summit in Washington D.C. to discuss the needs and concerns of small businesses along with other founders from across the nation. It has been an honor for her to be included in several food and business panels discussing the state of the industry (Next Day Better, Women's Entrepreneurship Day by City of Los Angeles, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles, Eastside Food Festival).

Crème Caramel LA was named an Outstanding Small Business by Mayor Eric Garcetti and SBA, featured in several media outlets including Food Network, PBS, Eye On L.A., Eater, Los Angeles Magazine, and TimeOut LA. Crème Caramel LA partnered with Found Coffee to open their 2nd location, FrankieLucy Bakeshop, a collaborative effort that features Crème Caramel LA branded products and Demitasse coffee (a local Los Angeles boutique coffee roaster). Crème Caramel LA is managed by the two founding members, Kristine de la Cruz and Sean Gilleland.