Today we’d like to introduce you to Veruska Gutierrez.
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?
I’m Venezuelan from Maracaibo, Zulia state. I’m 26 years old. This April, I’ll be 27.
I studied Business Administration with a minor in Marketing at Rafael Belloso Chacin University (Urbe).
It all started in the kitchen at home and watching television programs with my mom. I say watched because my mom only had my older sister and me. Our father is a rancher, and at that time, he was always on his farm. We only saw him a few times a month. My mom was a lawyer and assistant principal at an elementary school. For this reason, my mom always sought out activities that brought us together and connected us. She starred in television programs like Cake Boss, Cupcake Wars, Duff Cakes, Master Chef, Sumito Estévez, Donnato, and Narda’s Kitchen, where we learned and then put our skills to the test in our kitchen at home.
It’s no secret what’s happening in Venezuela!
In 2011, my father lost his farm to the drug cartels, as the farm was located on the eastern shore of the lake, where small planes could land to distribute their goods.
My father fell ill with cancer after losing everything, but with the support of our family and doctors, he overcame it.
At the age of 18, I emigrated to Colombia, Bogotá, where I learned a beautiful school where I put into practice everything I had learned with my mother. It wasn’t easy to find work, and my only support was preparing delicious desserts and traditional dishes!
I wasn’t very successful in sales; customers asked me for coffee, so I ended up setting up a mobile cart where I sold coffee, aromatic waters, tres leches cakes, and arepas.
After this, I managed to find a stable job in 2018 at OM Productions. I was positioned as a Marketing Manager and event production agent. It was a wonderful journey, working with brands like Unilever, the Bogotá City Hall, and Stereo Picnic. Until I decided to return to Venezuela to finish my studies.
The best thing about this trip was that I met Karlo Caldera, who is now my husband.
However, the rest of my family, including my sister, nephews, and my mother, stayed in Colombia. My sister has a good job.
In 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, our lives changed, as did almost everyone else’s. I received the call that no one wants to receive: Mom is very sick, you must return to Colombia.
When she arrived, we found out the results from the doctor: my mother had cancer and was in terminal stages, with only one month to live. I remember so much that we couldn’t accept that everything that was happening was real.
We just spent the days together, going to chronic symptom checkups, listening to music, and talking about the good times until the day of departure arrived, March 26, 2020.
I remember so much that that same afternoon my sister, nephews, and I baked a cake in her name!
After a year, my now-husband decided to come to Utah, the United States. Why Utah? Because his entire family is here!
In 2021, we arrived in this wonderful country that opened its doors to us, where family members helped us, and the local people have allowed us to grow!
After a few years of distance and the immense desire to continue honoring our mother, my sister started this beautiful project called La Negrita (Negrita is the nickname my mother affectionately received because her skin was dark).
In March 2024, I became present on social media as La Negrita Cake Shop Utah in the United States.
I am currently a cook at a rehabilitation center for seniors where I prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts. This is my part-time job! This job helped me expand my knowledge and merge it with wonderful recipes. It is rewarding because creating delicious and worthy dishes for those who truly need it. o
And today, April 2025, I find myself helping people make their celebrations unforgettable days, offering delicious banquets and delicious desserts combined with beautiful decorations, guiding and planning every detail.
Little by little, we continue to expand and make our dreams come true. No matter how long it takes, the most important thing is to take action and see each test as an achievement. I am grateful to God, my husband, my family, friends, and life partners for always being on my path and giving me strength when I thought I couldn’t. Courage is one of the most important qualities. No matter how afraid you feel, do it!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been easy, however we have always found angels who help us break down barriers, such as emotional and financial intelligence coaches.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Veruska Gutiérrez, a professional chef for over 7 years, known on social media as @veruskabg, is the creator of @lanegritacakeshoputah. On her Instagram profile, she describes herself as an idealist who strives to be a light that inspires and brings positivity. She shares a variety of content, including recipes and restaurant experiences.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
From the moment you begin to believe and fight for your dreams, you run the risk of not seeing immediate results, of sometimes losing money, of not conveying what you want to project; but there will always be a reward: experience. Without risk, we neither win nor learn.
Pricing:
- 1500$
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanegritacakeshoputah?igsh=MWhncXFjZXphamdxOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/veruska.gutierrez/
- LinkedIn: https://co.linkedin.com/in/veruska-gutierrez-9ba256165
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@veruskabg?si=ioJQ0UiBlWFO1yT9
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/veruskabg?igsh=MXR6aXJjdjVycWxmNw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
