Meet Maria Cecilia Ortiz | Mother of Four, Chef, Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Cecilia Ortiz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria Cecilia, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My approach to work-life balance has changed significantly over time. I started Catalina’s in 2011, working from a shared commercial kitchen. Just six months into the adventure, I discovered that I was pregnant with my fourth child.
At that point, I made what seemed like a crazy decision: I leased a tiny storefront in Coral Gables so I could be closer to home and my children’s school. What initially felt like a risky move became the solution that allowed me to stay close to baby Catalina, my three boys, and the business.
During those years, my life was a constant rotation of nursing, baking, school activities, more baking, afternoons at the park, and then back to baking—all within a five-minute drive. I honestly do not know how I did it, but I did. The business had to grow around the needs of my family, so my hours and capacity were limited by the season of life I was in.
As my children grew older and the business continued to grow, I was gradually able to dedicate more time to Catalina’s and expand our hours and services. When Fran and Joaquin graduated from school, I felt ready to make a greater commitment to the business. That was when I decided to pursue a long-time dream and begin the rebranding of Catalina’s Bake Shop into Catalina’s Sweet Atelier.
For me, balance does not mean giving the same amount of time to work and family every day. I have learned that perfect balance is impossible. Instead, it means adapting to each stage of life, understanding where I am most needed, and finding creative ways to keep moving forward. Sometimes it even means adjusting from one day to the next—a soccer tournament, a gymnastics competition, a business trip with my husband, a busy season at the atelier, or an employee who becomes sick can quickly change the day’s priorities.
There have been many sacrifices along the way, both for my family and for the business, but I have been very fortunate to have a strong support system at home and at Catalina’s. We are a team made entirely of women, and we have developed what we call a “village system.” We support one another and step in when someone needs help so that each of us can continue searching for balance in our own lives.
Work-life balance is so important to me that we have made the intentional decision not to open on Sundays. In the hospitality industry, it is easy for work to take over every day of the week, but I believe our team needs time to rest, spend time with their families, and recharge.
For me, balance is not a fixed destination. It is a constant process of adjusting, prioritizing, asking for help, and protecting what matters most in each season of life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Catalina’s Sweet Atelier is the result of many years of hard work, evolution, and a deep love for hospitality. I founded Catalina’s Bake Shop in 2011 after years of working in the industry—first in hospitality, then as a personal chef, and eventually focusing more seriously on baking. My training at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris gave me a strong technical foundation, but the business itself was built through experience, persistence, and learning how to adapt.
I began working from a shared commercial kitchen, baking primarily to order. Just six months after starting, I discovered that I was pregnant with my fourth child. I decided to lease a tiny storefront in Coral Gables so I could be close to home and my children’s school. What seemed like a crazy risk at the time became the solution that allowed me to continue building the business while raising my family.
In the early years, everything was very hands-on. I was baking, nursing, caring for my children, attending school activities, meeting with clients, and managing the business—often all within the same day. My life was a constant rotation of nursing, baking, school activities, afternoons at the park, and then back to baking, all within a five-minute drive. I honestly do not know how I did it, but I did. The business grew slowly and organically, shaped by the needs of my family and the trust of our customers.
By 2015, both our family and the business had entered a new stage. We moved our family to Pinecrest, and Catalina’s had outgrown the tiny Coral Gables storefront. Moving the business to Pinecrest allowed us to expand while once again keeping my family, home, and work close together. Pinecrest became our new home and gave Catalina’s the space it needed to continue growing.
At that time, we operated primarily as a made-to-order business. We had accounts with caterers, restaurants, the Marriott, and the EPIC Hotel, along with a growing private clientele. Much of our production consisted of a smaller number of large orders for hotels, events, and hospitality clients.
Then COVID arrived, and everything changed. Events stopped almost overnight, and we had to reinvent the way we operated. People began sending desserts to loved ones as a way to stay connected during an uncertain and isolating time. Little by little, we shifted from producing a few large orders to preparing many smaller, individual orders. That transition changed the direction of the business and helped us discover a new way to serve our community.
Over time, Catalina’s expanded beyond custom orders and events. We began offering more desserts directly from our storefront, making it easier for customers to stop by and enjoy something beautiful without always having to plan far in advance. As the business continued to evolve, I realized that Catalina’s Bake Shop had grown into something that more closely reflected the vision I had always had. In 2024, we rebranded as Catalina’s Sweet Atelier.
The word “atelier” represents what sets us apart. We are not simply a bakery producing desserts in large quantities. We bake in small batches and approach each product with care, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. Our desserts combine classic techniques, French influence, Latin flavors, and the warmth of something handmade. Whether someone is purchasing a simple dessert for a family dinner or a custom cake for an important celebration, we want the experience to feel personal and thoughtful.
I am especially proud that Catalina’s has become part of so many family traditions. Our customers have trusted us with birthdays, weddings, graduations, religious celebrations, holidays, and everyday moments. Many families have supported us for years, and it is very meaningful to see them return as their families grow and their celebrations change.
I am also incredibly proud of our team. Catalina’s is operated by a team of women who bring talent, dedication, and heart to the business every day. We have created a village within the atelier, supporting one another both professionally and personally. The care they bring to their work is one of the most important reasons Catalina’s is what it is today.
The journey has not been easy. Like many small businesses, we have faced financial uncertainty, staffing challenges, long hours, changing customer expectations, and the constant pressure of maintaining quality while growing. The pandemic was especially difficult for the hospitality industry, and we had to adapt quickly while protecting the business, our team, and our families.
One of the greatest challenges has been learning how to grow without losing the personal attention and quality that built our reputation. Growth can create pressure to do more, move faster, and offer everything, but I have learned that not every opportunity is the right opportunity. Sometimes the most important decision is knowing when to simplify, when to say no, and when to protect the standards that define the brand.
I have also learned that resilience is not about avoiding difficult moments. It is about continuing to adjust, solve problems, and move forward. Entrepreneurship requires patience, humility, discipline, and a willingness to keep learning. There have been many times when I did not have all the answers, but I learned to trust my instincts, rely on my team, and take the next step.
Today, I am excited about making Catalina’s more accessible and convenient while preserving the personal service our customers value. We are working to improve the ordering experience, expand our curated collections, and make it easier for customers to find the right dessert for any occasion. At the same time, we want to remain a place where people feel welcomed, understood, and cared for.
What I want people to know about Catalina’s is that every dessert represents more than a recipe. It represents years of experience, family sacrifice, teamwork, creativity, and genuine care. We are here to help people celebrate, connect, and create memories. That has always been the heart of the business, and it is what continues to guide us as we grow.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
f my best friend were visiting for a week, I would want to show them the different sides of South Florida. We would stroll through Coconut Grove, explore Coral Gables and South Miami, and take the beautiful drive along Old Cutler Road. We would visit Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and enjoy dinner at Matheson Hammock, where the sunset over the water is especially beautiful. Because I love the ocean, I would also plan a boat ride through Biscayne Bay so they could experience Miami’s skyline, islands, and coastline from the water. And, of course, we would have to make time for shopping—whether browsing the boutiques in Coconut Grove and Coral Gables or spending an afternoon at one of Miami’s larger shopping destinations.
We would also spend a couple of days at our beach apartment in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, where I love gathering with my family when they visit from Lima. We would relax on the beach, walk around town, shop a little, and enjoy dinner at one of the wonderful restaurants in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea or along Las Olas Boulevard. Then, I would take my friend south for a few days in the Florida Keys, enjoying the drive, the ocean, fresh seafood, boating, and beautiful sunsets. For me, the perfect week would combine Miami’s culture, neighborhoods, shopping, and energy with peaceful days by the ocean, great meals, and meaningful time with family and friends.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout is not dedicated to just one person, but to several remarkable people who have influenced different parts of my journey.
Since I was young, I have deeply admired Marisa Guiulfo, one of Peru’s most respected caterers. I was inspired not only by what she achieved, but also by the extraordinary standards of quality and service she brought to her work. She showed me what was possible for a woman in the hospitality industry and gave me an example of the level of excellence I wanted to pursue in my own career.
My parents also played an important role in shaping who I am. My father is an entrepreneur, and through his example, I developed a strong work ethic. I learned the value of discipline, responsibility, perseverance, and giving my very best, even when things became difficult. My mother’s expectations were extremely high, and excellence was always expected in our household. Although that could be challenging at times, it strengthened my resilience, attention to detail, and determination to continually improve.
My husband also deserves a great deal of recognition. He always wanted me to have something of my own and encouraged me to become a strong, independent woman. Whenever I hesitated before taking a risk, he trusted my judgment and reminded me, “You’re a tough cookie. You’ll figure it out.” His confidence in me helped strengthen my own.
My children have also been some of my greatest cheerleaders. They have grown up alongside Catalina’s, experienced the sacrifices that come with owning a business, and continued to encourage me to keep going. Their pride, enthusiasm, and belief in what I am building have given me strength during difficult moments. Knowing that they are watching me pursue my dreams has also motivated me to show them the importance of perseverance, hard work, and believing in yourself.
I also want to recognize Texia, who has been part of our family since Santiago was born. She has been a second mother to my children and the magic wand behind our family. Her love, presence, and support have allowed me to care for my family while continuing to pursue my professional dreams. I truly do not know how I could have managed so many stages of this journey without her.
Finally, I have been blessed with the most incredible staff. They love Catalina’s as much as I do and care for it as if it were their own. Their dedication, talent, loyalty, and heart are present in everything we create. Without them, Catalina’s would not be what it is today.
My story may carry my daughter’s name, but it was shaped by the example, encouragement, sacrifice, and love of many people. Each of them deserves credit for helping me become the woman, mother, and business owner I am today.

Website: https://www.catalinasweetatelier.com

Instagram: catalinas.atelier

Facebook: Maria Cecilia Zavala-Ortiz

Other: linktr.ee/catalinas.atelier
instagram: mariaortiz.atelier

Image Credits
Marcel Boldu Photography
Rollo Film