Karen Cuamatzi has always had an entrepreneurial spirit.
As children, Cuamatzi and her sister started their own business. They bought Kool-Aid packets, tooth picks and ice trays to make mini popsicles. The sisters operated the business from their Orange County apartment and sold their creations to the neighborhood children for 10 cents a pop(sicle).
“Kids would be knocking at our door wanting to buy them,” Cuamatzi said. “I’ve always wanted to own my own business.”
As she got older, though, Cuamatzi decided to go to college and pursue a more traditional career.
Her desire to be her own boss never faded, though.
Earlier this year, the Tulare woman decided it was time to make her childhood dream a reality. After tossing around a few small business concepts, she landed on the one she thought would do best — flan.
Not just any flan, her mother’s flan.
With the help of her mother, Galdina Garcia, the women launched My Fave Flan in August.
“We’re so happy with everyone’s response,” Cuamatzi said. “We’ve received so much great feedback and support.”
The greatest season of life
Flan is a traditional Latin American dessert made of sweetened condensed milk, eggs and whole milk. Because the custard is so delicate, it must be baked in a water bath, at the correct temperature, for just the right amount of time.
When cooked properly, flan is creamy and sweet — similar to a French crème brûlée.
Currently, Cuamatzi bakes three to four days a week. The baking process is labor intensive and the margin for error is small.
From start to finish, each flan takes roughly three hours.
“It’s definitely a lot of pressure,” she said. “The most challenging part of making flan is the timing in the oven. If you are off by a minute, it changes the texture and consistency.”
When she’s not baking, Cuamatzi cares for her 1-year-old daughter, Mandy Fernandez.
Prior to being a stay-at-home mom, Cuamatzi taught English and American literature at the middle and high school levels in Visalia. Cuamatzi and her husband decided that when they were ready to start a family, she would stay home.
Cuamatzi said she is the type of person who goes “all in” and knew that she would be unable to teach and care for Mandy simultaneously.
“I miss being a teacher but I love staying home with my daughter,” Cuamatzi said. “She is great. I wouldn’t be able to do this business if she weren’t who she is.”
Cuamatzi and her husband are both able to work from home.
“I know that I’m living in the greatest season of my life,” she said. “I don’t know where I’ll be in 10 years, but this is the best season.”
The great pumpkin spice flan
Selling her flan is equally as exciting as it is anxiety-ridden, Cuamatzi said. Each flan that My Fave Flan makes must be flawless, she says.
“If the flan has a slight crack on it or anything that isn’t up to my standard, I’m not selling it,” she said. “But it’s very exciting when people say they love the flan.”
This fall, Cuamatzi introduced two new flavors – pumpkin spice flan and chocoflan.
Her mother suggested adding pumpkin spice extract to her recipe. Cuamatzi admits she was hesitant to jump on the pumpkin spice bandwagon.
In an effort to get attention online, Cuamatzi said she finally agreed to advertise a pumpkin spice flan.
After making and taste testing the first batch, Cuamatzi sat down to post an Instagram reel letting customers know they could now order My Fave Flan’s pumpkin spice flan.
“I posted that reel and I started getting all of these orders,” she said. “I was completely shocked. The people who ordered the flan kept reordering.”
My Fave Flan has amassed more than 150 Instagram followers in the last three months.
More recently, My Fave Flan started offering chocoflan, also known as the impossible cake because the two layers used flip sides during the baking process.
Chocoflan has a chocolate cake base and a creamy flan top.
The desserts were part of My Fave Flan’s Thanksgiving offerings. Customers were able to order online through a temporary website.
Cuamatzi hopes to bring the website back for Christmas orders.
“I just turned 33 and this makes me feel proud of myself,” she said. “I’m able to create something that is delicious and that people love. It’s a rewarding feeling, in a different way than teaching. I love it.”
My Fave Flan pricing and flavors
Flavors may vary depending on the season
Vanilla flan
- Large: $25
- Small: $6
- Half-dozen minis: $18
- Dozen minis: $36
Pumpkin spice flan
- Large: $25
- Small: $6
- Half-dozen minis: $18
- Dozen minis: $36
Chocoflan
- Large: $28
- Small: $7
- Half-dozen minis: $20
- Dozen minis: $40
Pumpkin spice flan cake
- Large: $28
- Small: $7
- Half-dozen minis: $20
- Dozen minis: $40
How to order
Contact: Direct message My Fave Flan via Instagram
Information: My Fave Flan delivers in Tulare County, free of charge.
Payment: My Fave Flan accepts Apple Pay, Zelle or cash.
Read More: My Fave Flan brings traditional and seasonal desserts to Tulare County
