Meet Rosa Maria Nuñez Valdez | Owner of Delicias by Rosa

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rosa Maria Nuñez Valdez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rosa Maria, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
Patience.

Starting a business from zero takes a lot of patience. It’s something I’ve really had to learn, and honestly, it’s still a skill I struggle with.

When I first started, there were so many times I’d check my phone and just feel so disappointed—not a single message, no orders, nothing. It made me feel like a failure. People would say how amazing everything looked, but no one was actually buying anything. I started doubting myself. Was I doing something wrong? Was I presenting my business the wrong way? I began to worry that maybe this was all going to flop, even though I had just started.

Social media didn’t help either. I follow a bunch of small businesses, from brand new to super established, and it always looked like everyone was killing it. Like they all found success overnight. That made me feel even more hopeless—like maybe I wasn’t cut out for this. There were moments where I really thought, “Should I even keep going with this? Or is this just another dream that won’t go anywhere?”

Then Mother’s Day came around. I started getting messages for orders on Instagram and TikTok, and that changed everything. I finally got to do what I had been waiting to do. And once I delivered those orders, I felt like everything had purpose. It felt real. Not long after, I got a regular breakfast order and even a birthday order, and I was honestly just in awe.
That’s when it hit me—progress is supposed to be slow. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Growth takes time, and that’s okay. I realized that this is something I really want to achieve, and the only thing that can truly stop me is giving up. I just have to stay consistent and trust that it’ll all pay off no matter how long it will take.

What should our readers know about your business?
I have always loved cooking. I cook for family and friends, and I have often received compliments on my meals, so I guess this passion has been with me for a long time. That passion eventually led me to start my food-focused business.I love feeding people good, quality food, and combining that with gift-giving felt like a natural way to share my skills and make others happy. I used to do this on a small scale with people around me, but I wanted to expand who I share with.

What truly sets me apart is my diverse cultural background, which inspires everything I create. Born in the Dominican Republic, I later lived in Spain, and now I’ve called the U.S. home for nearly ten years. My menu reflects this rich blend of cultures. For example, I offer classic homemade American pancakes, a staple in the U.S.; beloved Spanish dishes like croquettes and tortilla, which also resonate with Miami’s Cuban community; and from my Dominican roots, traditional dishes like mangú with fried salami.

I have worked in many restaurants, and knowing what happens behind the scenes definitely gives me an advantage in running my own business. Because I value authenticity and quality, many of my dishes are homemade from scratch—including fresh orange juice—rather than relying on store-bought shortcuts.

Of course, starting a business isn’t easy, and patience has been key for me. My business is still growing, and I’ve learned that many people underestimate the time, effort, and dedication required. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes but have learned from each one, always striving to improve. Building trust as a new small business is a challenge—people often prefer familiar names. But I’m committed to proving my quality and care with every customer.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Eat – CVI.CHE 105 and La Casita (cuban food)
Drink – Americana Kitchen
Must – Soak in the sun and water at Miami Beach and then take walk down Miracle Mile or Merrick Park.
I personally love the Coral Gables area, so I tend to hang out around here. I usually go for walks around the Granada Golf Course.
I would also take them to Brickell City Center, to show them Miami’s real city scene. And finally, Wynwood, just because it is so different from the rest of Miami. It has become very modern and a there is a different variety of things to do there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give credit to my daughter, Maite Molina. When I shared my interest in starting this project, she gave me her full support and immediately made sure I had everything I needed to bring it to life. She reminded me that I am capable of anything I set my mind to and that nothing is impossible.

She now runs the business with me—managing our marketing, handling the accounting, and serving as the main point of contact for our clients. I am incredibly proud of her and so grateful for her dedication. Despite working full-time and being a law student, she still finds the time to support and guide this business. She is my inspiration, and I truly do not think I would have been able to do this without her.

We have a great working relationship and talk through every little process—figuring out what works best for the business, what we can improve, and how to approach different situations. I could not ask for a better business partner.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deliciasbyrosa_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosa.delicias.2025

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deliciasbyrosa