SAN JOSE, CALIF.— For many high school students, owning a business is just a dream. However, for Luciana Rodriquez, this dream is already reality, with her own bakery.

Her bakery, called Tabby Cat Bake House, was founded by Rodriquez in February 2023. She found encouragement in her family, as her aunts and mother were all self taught bakers. “My Mom is an entrepreneur and owns several businesses, so she has always encouraged us to start our own business the way she did. In my family, there are also a lot of self-taught bakers including my Mom, my Tia Karla, Tia Jessica, and more of my family.”

Her bakery is an online pickup business, and she sells three different types of cookies and one scone to order. She sells the flavors Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies, Raspberry White Chocolate Cookies, Lemon White Chocolate Cookies, and Orange Cranberry Scones. She mostly sells at games, like wrestling tournaments, flag football games, and softball games. She even sometimes sells for office parties and birthday parties. She is already working on two new flavors, Chocolate Muffins and Red Velvet cookies. After high school she plans to continue this and sell more as she will have more time on her hands. She would love the idea of opening her own physical store someday.  She has drawn the stickers and logo, and she says “I absolutely love the idea of drawing and designing some merchandise for my business after high school as well!”

Her cats are also a huge part of the bakery’s design, logo, and inspiration. She has two cats named Toby, who is one year old, turning one on May 5 and Butters, who is only 11 months. She says that Toby is more caring, and Butters is more energetic, but they are both playful. “Every morning I wake up and I’ll find both of them cuddling up next to me on my bed”, as she puts it. When her business is more profitable, she wants to make it so that she donates a portion of the proceeds to charity. 

Rodriquez’s website URL is tabbycatbakehouse.com. Her mother, who runs her website, has always encouraged her to start a business. Even while stuck in high school, Luciana Rodriquez takes action as her own boss.

Photo credit- Nischal Jasti