“The journey with Hot Bread Kitchen is really real. I’ve seen myself grow, not only because of my own efforts but because of the support of the Hot Bread Kitchen team.”
When Jesebel, a pastry chef with nearly 10 years of experience working in New York City restaurants, decided to start her business, Pure Confections, she wasn’t just setting up shop for herself; she was building a legacy for her family. “I wanted to start something not only for my future children, but for my siblings and nieces and nephews. I wanted to inspire them that they can do more,” Jesebel shared with us.
Jesebel joined Hot Bread Kitchen shortly after launching Pure Confections, which was growing steadily–until the pandemic hit. Jesebel was one of countless business owners whose livelihood, which relied on moments of connection and celebration like weddings and showers, evaporated overnight. Despite all her growth and efforts, at this time last year Jesebel wasn’t sure her business would survive 2020.
Thankfully, Hot Bread Kitchen was able to connect Jesebel with a corporate partner that is committed to supplier diversity, providing a critical mass of orders that kept Pure Confections open and gave Jesebel an opportunity to grow her business in 2021. “This year, I’ve gotten a lot of the same support from Hot Bread Kitchen that I did before, but I was given new opportunities,” she said. “At the beginning of my business, I couldn’t wait to get to the point where I couldn’t answer all of my emails in one day. That’s happening now!”
“Last holiday season, I got a bulk wholesale order through Hot Bread Kitchen that kept my business afloat. I didn’t feel alone during the struggle of the pandemic. Hot Bread Kitchen kept me grounded, reminded me: you are not alone.”
Jesebel, Pure Confections
She credits Hot Bread Kitchen’s program offerings–including individualized business advising, connections to potential clients, and a community of fellow members–with the success of her business this year. “Right now, it’s still a struggle. But one thing I’m excited about is that I’m planning to launch a business at home in the Philippines with my nieces and nephews. Being able to launch this business will relieve some of the financial challenges my family has been facing.”
Stories like Jesebel’s are why Hot Bread Kitchen exists. She and our community of breadwinners are the reason we’re embarking on a bold plan to grow our support for immigrant women and women of color over the next three years, centering them in our mission to promote financial stability and generate longer-term wealth.
Hot Bread Kitchen is meeting breadwinners wherever they are and providing them with the resources, skills, and support they need to get wherever they want to go. We are expanding our services to include customized support for entrepreneurs and new workforce training courses; bridge programming such as English language immersion, digital literacy, and professional readiness; and individualized financial coaching and peer support groups for all of our members.
Women like Jesebel are the why, but supporters like you are the how. It is because of your generosity that we have been able to answer the call of our communities through unforeseen crises and in times of hope and growth. Your support enables us to invest in breadwinners. Will you join us as we embark on our plan to invest in bright futures for breadwinners?
We know how much can change in a year, and that is why your support now is more critical than ever. At this time last year, Jesebel wasn’t sure her business would survive. Now, she’s expanding to her home country and fulfilling her dream of sharing the rewards of entrepreneurship with her nieces and nephews. With that major milestone achieved, she’s on to dreaming even bigger.
“When I’m ready, I want to launch something like Hot Bread Kitchen in my country. That’s how Hot Bread Kitchen has really inspired me. I’m very grateful for all the help I’ve gotten and the support that I get. Not just lately, but all the time. I was thinking before that if I hadn’t found Hot Bread Kitchen, I don’t know where I would be now.”
