On this Entrepreneurship Day 2022, we celebrate and salute a local Tampa Bay business that blossomed during Covid and now pays tribute to the owner’s mom.
The company is Roasted Whisk.
Here’s how it all began.
It was during the Pandemic that a mother, daughter, grandmother got together to connect and support each other during those uncertain times. Bored, the daughter asked to start baking, perhaps brownies and then cookies. Each time they’d do something different. Looking to their Cuban/Puerto Rican roots, Lizette Rivera, thought she’d add some espresso for some extra special zing. It was a hit! The trio enjoyed these visits and cafe con leche toasts. She perfected her treats with her mom, Rose, as her main taste tester. As Rose would leave, she’d ask for extra sweet treats in tupperware boxes. Lizette obliged and thought nothing of it. It wasn’t until after the pandemic that she was greeted with oohs and awws from some of her mother’s friends. They asked Lizette if she was the one who made the delicious brownies and cookies. She wondered how they knew of them. It turns out her mom was leaving those goodies on the door steps of her neighbors to lift spirits during the pandemic, Lizette had no idea. Then they wanted more and thus Roasted Whisk was born.
Lizette created special boxes that she likes to call a Hug in a Box. She has different box themes. Box Options Include:
** Forget Me Not Box
** College Care Box
** Midnight Pairing Box
** Break Up Box Box
** Pup & Pal Box
** Holiday Cheer Box
In each box she includes a variety of her special brownies or cookies or rice krispie treats all infused with delicious espresso. She includes a specially created mug and cafe cubano and sometimes the box may include candles and more, all sourced locally.
The boxes are a hit and she treasures the lovely reactions she’s getting. It means even more now as over the last year, her mom’s health began failing and deteriorated rapidly as dementia set in. She is unaware on most days of the journey of this business growth and how it all started. Lizette takes great comfort in knowing the special moments they shared during the pandemic with 3 generations of family members sparked something that lives on. It’s now a tribute to her mom and a portion of the sales goes back to the dementia society.
Lizette’s message is take the time to slow down and connect. Those precious moments could lead to something if you just take it all in. She never dreamed of something like this. Now with orders being sent around the country, she’s so happy for that precious time with Rose & her daughter and cherishes it now more than ever. It’s like a little bit of Rose is whisked into each box for others to enjoy!
To check out the boxes yourself, go to RoastedWhisky.com.