Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Ortiz
Hi Sandra, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Rosemary & Brie calmed my anxiety
So, my husband and i have a small cleaning business that we’ve been running for eight years now. It has been our main source of income, something we’ve built together and it’s taken a lot of effort to get where we are today, but suddenly Covid came into our lives and everything started to crumble. Life came to a halt, no one knew what was happening, thousands of people were dying, hospitals were overwhelmed and no one could leave their home. I vividly remember the sad day when the Governor of Maryland announced the lockdown and the closure of all businesses as a preventive measure, my phone started ringing with clients cancelling their services with us, which meant we had to let go many of our employees, it was simply heartbreaking. Amid all that uncertainty, i was filled with fear, i thought everything was falling apart and while confined at home with my family i sought ways to distract myself and calm my emotions, all while trying to reassure my three children. I threw myself into cooking, baking and learning about the beautiful art of charcuterie. I began making small boards for my family or gifting them to friends. I studied designs, styles, cheeses and their flavors and textures, wines, about meats and how to pair them, it became my hobby, my relaxing hobby. Once things calmed down, i proposed myself to make this happen, a little later a found a graphic designer, shared my ideas and passions and finally two years ago, i officially launched Rosemary & Brie in the Baltimore market.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing has been easy, but i believe that’s the nature of any beginning. You throw yourself into the market without knowing how people will react or whether they will like your product and get involved with your brand. I remember launching my brand and name in every social media platform i could find. I sent my menu to all the clients from my other business. I fondly remember the first boards i made and the feeling i had after receiving so many compliments. I took a long time to make it because i was also trying to record myself to content on my social media. I also recall my first grazing table, it was indescribable, i had doubts, so many ideas in my head and fears, i had to feed 30 people i had to do it right!! you know, when you feed people you have to make sure everything is fresh, impeccable, be careful how to manage the temperatures of the meats and cheeses, how to and when to cut the fresh fruits so don’t get ruin, how to make sure the room is cool enough for it and so many other details that come to my mind every time i do this art, i just wanted to please my clients. I am grateful that to this day i have had clients who are completely satisfied with my work, their kind words and admiration continue to motivate me to keep going and improve. Rosemary & Brie gave e challenges but so many rewards too.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I was born in Peru and i was able to study hard to have a university degree in Economics and Finance. I worked so many years in fields related to this, I spent my time analyzing investments, the stock market, bonds and reading daily news about the management and economy of my country. It was my passion to get to my office, turn on my Bloomberg terminal, sip my coffee and wait for the next meeting with my team to discuss where to invest the business’s funds. But one day, life took an unexpected turn and i found myself in this beautiful country that has given me so much. I started my first business with great enthusiasm, T&IL Cleaning Services, applying all my knowledge in management and administration. In fact, we won “best of Baltimore 2024” by Baltimore Magazine, all my hard work was paying off and makes me feel grateful and keeps me dreaming of the next to come. Then Rosemary & Brie came along, my “revival venture” just in time to calm my emotions during pandemic.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
To absolutely never ever give up, being new in business is hard for sure, and it can take quite a bit to be known, but if you keep pushing you will have amazing gratifications and rewards, and i feel that this is my most important lesson for my kids too.
The path is not always smooth but you challenge yourself and trust me everything will come along. Also and not less important, treat customers right, be kind, understand their preferences, listen to them, please them, most of them use your service or goods for a very special occasion so you have to make sure to be in their position and work as if this is something you will be doing for yourself, work with your heart in it and you will live will give you the best rewards.
Pricing:
- “A couple’s choice board” $35.00
- “Let’s get together board” $65.00
- “Small gathering board” $100.00
- “The social Rosemary board” $150.00
- “Bring some extra Brie board” $200.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rosemaryandbrie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosemarynbrie?igsh=YWh1eDR3NDh0dDFv
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/RosemaryNBrie
Image Credits
Photos by Alexandra Guardia
www.alxg.co
