Meet Jocelyn Pineda of Charlotte

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jocelyn Pineda. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Treats by Marisol began in January of 2021. I honestly never thought I was going to someday own my own business and here I am today. I’ve always had a passion for baking for others and always dreamt of having my own cupcake bakery growing up. When I was younger, maybe around the age of 8, I would have my dad go take me to Walgreens and buy me a lot of candy, and then I would set up a little stand in my living room and I would sell it to my family. Growing up, I always admired my mother’s ability to cook and bake without using a recipe. I remember my mother had a green notebook where she would write down all the recipes she created, that book was my favorite book to read. When I got to high school, I, unfortunately, faced bullying for four years and never told my parents. My only sense of happiness at the time was cooking and baking, and when I was a junior in high school, I joined an after-school culinary program. I was the most happiest during those hours because I was around other kids who had the same interest in me. I learned so much while being in that after-school program, I learned to make pretty interesting dishes during that time, including quail and my own hollandaise sauce. I won’t lie to you, as much as I loved cooking savory dishes, baking has always had my heart. In 2017, I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder. From 2017 through early 2019, I went through long hours of therapy including IOP, PHP, and residential programs. I am a suicide survivor, and I’ve never been more thankful with life for giving me a second chance. After going through so much pain, I never thought I would be happy ever again in my life. Late 2019, I met my current partner, he shined a light in my life that I never thought I would see again. We moved from Chicago to North Carolina in 2020, and right before COVID-19 began, we got our golden doodle, Rocky. Rocky has been such a blessing for us, we love him so much. So, yes, Rocky is who motivated me to start a dog baking business. I would always buy Rocky store-bought treats, and they would always upset his tummy. Originally, I started Treats by Marisol as a human treats business, but then later realized that was not the route I wanted to go. May of 2021 I officially began baking homemade dog treats using only all-natural, organic ingredients. Just like my mom, I began creating my own recipes after doing hours and hours of research. I was invited to do my very first pop-up market event at Skiptown in May of 2021. Early July, I officially registered my business with the State of North Carolina. In just a few months, I have grown my business so much. I am now working Treats by Marisol LLC full-time. I can say I am pretty proud of myself for coming so far in life. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say it has not been a smooth road, owning a business takes a lot of time and effort. I have made many sacrifices to get this business to this point, including leaving my corporate job and putting my life savings into helping this business grow. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in making all-natural, organic, vegan dog treats. I create all my recipes myself, and I bake everything myself right from my own kitchen. I am known to make human-looking treats but for dogs. My customers get surprised every time they see a new creation of mine, their first question is always “wait, are these for dogs or humans?”. I love it because that’s what sets me apart from others. 

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Yes, JUST DO IT! Let go of fear, and follow your dreams. There will always be obstacles on the road, and you WILL find a way to overcome them and be successful. Don’t let anyone ever bring you down and tell you what you can’t and can do. I wish I knew I had such potential growing up as I know now. You will find your hidden talents across the way, believe me. 

Contact Info:

• Email: treatsbymarisol@yahoo.com
• Website: treatsbymarisol.com
• Instagram: @treatsbymarisol_