Jazlyn Ortiz shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Jazlyn, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
The most surprising thing I have learned about my customers is that they love to follow whatever is trending. They are willing to pay the price for a good product and I know I have succeeded when they come back for more. The baking industry is over saturated in my area but there are enough customers for everyone. I try to be reasonable with prices but I am definitely not the cheapest-priced and people still come to me. I love seeing the excitement on people’s faces when they come to visit for their first time.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a US Army Veteran and mother of one child. My focus is my well-being, raising my daughter and growing my business. Paratrooper’s Chocolate Bar was officially established in 2020 when I became a part of the military community at Fort Bragg. I offered American and Mexican desserts. I have expanded my menu to offer Dubai Chocolate Desserts and the viral “Pretty Pastries.” I make every dessert and run the business alone. Sometimes I have my sister help me make some treats while my daughter labels the packaged product. My family is from Mexico so my traditional Tres Leches Cake is made with our family recipe. Recently, I have perfected a couple of cookie recipes. The two top cookie flavors are the maple-bacon cookies and blueberry cookies with white chocolate chips. I am always working on offering new desserts. I have also been working on opening my mobile bakery soon. The planning & acquiring equipment for the mobile bakery has been going on for five years now. Hopefully it will be up and running by the end of 2026.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
As a kid, I always had good grades. I went to public school all my life. When we had our awards ceremony, my mom would always be there. She always had some sort of camera to take a picture or video of me and my sister at school in the early 2000’s. I remember some of my classmates being sad because their parents weren’t present. That’s when I realized I was very luck to have at least my mom show up if my dad was buys working.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The biggest fear that has been holding me back is asking myself the question “Am I ready?” I am never ready. I don’t think I will ever be ready no matter how much I try to plan in advance. I just have to start now with what I can and have readily available. My strength and weakness is that I can be too analytical and precautious with most things.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire Queen Elizabeth for her character. She had to step up to a very powerful position at a young age. She is the definition of resiliency. She mourned her father’s death and stepped up to take his place on the throne. She had the role of a queen, wife, mother, sister and daughter. She faced a lot of obstacles in her personal life and career but she did her best and kept working until she no longer could.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope my daughter understands that everything I have done is for her. The military was not a good fit for me as a single parent. It left me scarred as a mother with no support to raise her. I work at home, at my own pace, to take care of my daughter. I may be busy working when she gets home from school but I am physically at home with her to make sure she is fed, has done her homework and is good for the next day. That is a luxury that most kids do not have if both parents are working. She may still be upset that I am no longer with her father but hopefully she understands why I decided to leave and forgives us. The military left me with a deep depression and baking is a distraction. It allows me to forget about my daily worries and anxiety. My only motivation is seeing how my hard work is appreciated by my customers. Without them, there would be no bakery; my business would not be growing. Because of that, I appreciate everyone who has purchased a dessert or shared us on social media.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paratroopers_chocolate_bar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParatroopersChocolateBar/
