Meet Virginia Vich | Just a Mom with a Side Hustle

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pudding Parlor’s founder and owner, Virginia Vich and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Virginia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
With my then four year-old trapped inside the house one rainy Sunday in Miami, I decided to squash the boredom and whip up some fun in the kitchen. We started testing and tasting some yummy recipes until we landed on his favorite — Classic Banana Pudding. Together, we made enough to share with our neighbors.

That week, while imagining and whipping up new flavors, the neighbors came knocking for more. Soon, our home’s driveway looked more like a drive-through! My friends took notice and nudged me to share my pudding projects on Instagram. My DMs blew up with so many orders, I turned what started as a side hustle into Pudding Parlor, LLC.

Today, Pudding Parlor whips up some of Miami’s most decadent sweets into pudding sensations. You’ll find everything from Cookies ‘n Cream to our signature Timba Tumbao, influenced by a traditional Cuban snack, made with guava and cream cheese pudding folded with Maria cookies, all on our site with the option for pickup in Coral Gables or local delivery.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
After 20 years in private banking, it was time for a change that would allow for me to have more flexibility in both my personal life and my career. Over the years, my personal life had evolved to where I had gotten married and started a family.

I am passionate about my career but also about being a wife and mother and there were not enough hours in the day to do it all. I was missing special moments in my son’s life and could not be as present as I wanted to be. In 2019 I decided it was time to launch my own firm that would focus on what I love to do most, financial coaching and consulting. Little did I know I was launching a business just months before the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic. While it has all been challenging during the past few months, I do recognize how fortunate and blessed I am to have been allowed to spend so much time with my family and still have the opportunity and privilege to assist clients with their financial needs and difficulties.

Sometimes being the only woman at the decision table brought on a series of challenges from many different perspectives. It was difficult as a young banker twenty years ago but as time passed and I gained experience and a discipline in my field, these challenges and obstacles became easier to overcome. These feelings were further reaffirmed when I launched VxV Consulting and received an overwhelming amount of support from clients, colleagues and other professionals I have partnered with throughout the years. This is why as a female executive and entrepreneur, I am so passionate about educating and empowering women on their personal finances.

I take the time to describe my previous professional experiences and journey because these past twenty years provided me the foundation and confidence when I spontaneously launched Pudding Parlor. My financial background and experiences assisted me in making prudent and intelligent financial and business decisions and continue to do so today.

Pudding Parlor was launched as “just a mom with a side hustle” because that is what it truly is. I continue to provide my financial coaching and consulting services while I work and grow Pudding Parlor. I have learned many valuable lessons including how time is a luxury, and I must manage it well, cherishing every moment with my family. There is no such thing as work/life balance when you are running two very different businesses, married and raising an active little boy, but somehow we always make it work, and I could not be happier!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Living and working in Coral Gables, we tend to stick around here often when we go out. We love the atmosphere and being able to walk through Miracle Mile and picking from a variety of restaurants there and in Giralda Plaza. We absolutely love to eat pizza and recently discovered Eleventh Street Pizza in Downtown Miami; it’s is one of our new favorites! We also enjoy Mamey in the Gables for some fun cocktails and amazing dinner!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without any hesitation, I dedicate my shoutout to my son, David. Had it not been for that Sunday afternoon back in September 2020, Pudding Parlor would not exist today. He is my biggest fan and greatest motivation.

Throughout this short time, he has developed an entrepreneurial spirit which amazes me and inspires me everyday to do the very best I can. This journey has pushed me to take risks and I never dreamt of taking and has rewarded me in ways I never imagined.

Website: www.PuddingParlorCo.com

Instagram: @PuddingParlor

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiavich/

Facebook: @PuddingParlor

Image Credits
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