It’s one thing to be an entrepreneur when you’re introducing a familiar product to the marketplace. It can be an entirely different story when you’re not only creating a new business, but having to introduce it to a different culture. That is what Jennifer Solis, owner of Dolce Amore Peruvian Bakery, has accomplished in just a few short years. Starting the business from humbler beginnings at farmers’ markets throughout the area, she has established a rapport with the community. Now, as Dolce Amore gets ready to celebrate their third anniversary on June 11, she spoke with the PW Perspective about how it all started, adjusting to the changes of the past two years, and lessons learned along the way.

“It means a lot for us because when we opened this shop, we were nervous,” said Solis. “It was the first time we opened up a storefront, and we were trusting in God always, but still working hard to ensure that things would run well.”

“There aren’t a lot of bakeries in the areas, but we went for it, and we’ve been blessed to see a lot of success so far.”

What was it like in the beginning, and how she gets started? “When I lived in New York, I went to culinary school and that’s where I began designing many of the treats we have in the store today. After moving to Virginia, I started making the treats in my home, and then began working at the farmers; markets in the area. We went from Manassas, to Fairfax, to Dale City. It helped us to get our name out there and help propel the business forward.”

She credits the support that she’s received being an instrumental part of the businesses’ growth, especially that of her husband, who’s been an integral part of the success. “My husband has been my biggest supporter,” she says. “Since we moved here, we both had jobs in the beginning, then we got to a point where we both worked 100% into the business.”

As with creating any brick-and-mortar business, she knew about how to deal with the challenges starting the storefront. “There were a lot of people who didn’t know what an empanada was [laughs] when we started in 2015, so I had to introduce our product to the culture. It was challenging to introduce a new flavor to the community, but it was worth it.”

Another challenge she discusses is overcoming the initial fears. “When you’re opening a store, you’re committed to a contract as compared to working at home, where you have a little more flexibility. You have to deal with new customers and employees, but you learn as you go. Our business has been growing well, and people who come in are those we met from the farmers’ market.”

When people think of Peruvian cuisines, they tend to think about only one item, but Solis was able to open up people’s minds to a whole new variety of foods from her culture. “It means a lot to me, because when a lot of people think about Peruvian foods, they think of rotisserie chicken, but we also have a variety of different foods that many people don’t know about. For instance, a lot of our fruits are used to make the sweets we have here in the store. There are different types of pastries, ice cream and empanadas that speak about our culture. It’s great to see when people recognize the different flavors that Peruvian foods have to offer when we’re at parties and other events.”

Speaking of which, how were they able to navigate through the pandemic? “At the moment when we opened in June 2019, we started picking up customers and things were going well. Then, in 2020, we saw so many businesses shut down in the shopping center. We weren’t even a month in, and all of a sudden, now we’re wondering if we have to do the same thing. Fortunately, our business was classified as a restaurant, so we were able to stay open.”

“We had to change to being a carryout business and use disposal containers to provide our food, and then go to a delivery model. It did change our business model, but we made it through.”

“Now, things are starting to pick up again. We’ve added more tables, and now we can add a patio, which will be really big during the summer months.”

One of Dolce Amore’s biggest pluses is that they are very health conscious in their approach. “We always want our customers to be able to try new flavors. For example, we have pork sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, and even Peruvian tamales.

They are also able to provide a variety of flavors for the more health-conscious customer as well. “Nowadays people are more aware of what they put in their bodies, so we’ve made items that incorporate more gluten-free in our menu. It allows us to be more versatile in our approach. We’re working on a few sugar-free items for those that have dietary restrictions.”

“Our goals are always on how we can grow with our customer service, which is what we want to be known for. Everyone that comes here, we want to make sure they enjoy the environment, and want to come back.”

The key to being successful, she says, is being driven with purpose and being prepared. “The key for sure is to work hard, trust in God, and be consistent. We have to be organized as it says in the recipe, and as business owners, we have to be prepared for any and all situations.”

So, what would she say to those who are interested in taking the next step into entrepreneurship? “My tip would be to write everything down and have a solid business plan. It doesn’t have to be perfect in the beginning, but at least have an idea of where you’re going so you know what to present to your customers. Also, be willing to adapt to changes as they happen, because they certainly will take place, and you have to be ready.”

With their third anniversary being tomorrow, they are going to have a gift giveaway. Read more about it below, and visit them on their website, Facebook, and Instagram.