Throughout the month of March, the CAN BE Innovation Center is proud to celebrate Women’s History Month by highlighting its female clients. In this short Q&A, we sat down with one of our shared kitchen clients, Janna Cordero from Little Treats & Cakes by Janna, to reflect on her journey and what it means to be a female entrepreneur.

For those who might not know your story, tell us who you are, what your business is, and why you became an entrepreneur.

My name is Janna Cordero and I’m a proud Dominican!

Since I was a child living in the Dominican Republic, I had an inclination for arts and crafts. I would frequent places similar to the Hazleton Art League and took courses on everything under the sun relating to art.

When I was 17 years old, I came to the US, went to college, and worked for a private corporation for 7+ years.

I’ve always been involved in the baking business – my family owned a bakery in the DR and my aunts are very good at baking so I learned a lot from them.

On my first son’s first birthday, I made a huge dessert table decorated with the birthday party’s theme. Around that time, dessert tables, as well as Instagram, started to become very popular. When I posted the desserts I made on my page, people started inquiring about them. I didn’t make baking my business at that point because it was just a hobby and I had a stable job.

Eventually, I made a life-changing decision to switch jobs because I thought was a great opportunity, especially since I was pregnant with my second child. Unfortunately, the company closed within three months of opening, resulting in me being jobless at 33 weeks pregnant.

While at home, I started doing what I always loved: baking and then posting it on social media. I started by making cookies which turned into other desserts and eventually cakes.

It’s been a long 8-year journey! I have the best clients, some of which I’ve been working with since their bridal showers up until their kids' birthdays. Having their support means the world to me!

In what ways do you think being a female entrepreneur has influenced your approach to business?

Being female in the baking business is empowering, especially since most owners are women. I look up to so many women bakers who try to make their products bigger and bolder than their last. I look forward to being at that level as well someday!

What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs just starting out?

My advice to new entrepreneurs, especially women, is to have discipline in all you do, don’t take no for an answer because there’s always a way, and keep pushing and working hard – it always pays off!

Can you recommend another local female business leader you shop with, look up to, or would like to promote?

Another woman entrepreneur I look up to is my friend of 20 years, Maria Rosario. She is smart, bold, a hard worker, a go-getter, and has given so much back to the community. She is the owner of Maria Rosario Group in Hazleton, PA.

For more information about the CAN BE Innovation Center, or starting a business within the Greater Hazleton Area, visit canbe.biz or contact Nico Makuta at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..