Like a Boss is hitting the gym in June with our first entrepreneur guest, Turaeza “Tess” Lopez-Hose.
A woman of many hats — the airman, chef, personal trainer, and female body builder has started her own business, creating and selling healthy desserts called Prep Cakes. The south Bossier resident has lived in Bossier-Shreveport for a little more than a year after traveling the world, and in that time, she launched her business by targeting the body building community to give them something that would satisfy a sweet tooth and prevent binging after competitions were over.
She used her experience as a chef to take what competitors are allowed to eat and experimented before finding the perfect recipe. She is now on a mission to change the way we look at a cupcake by having her Prep Cakes replace the bodybuilding staple of chicken and rice.
“It took me two months – I created bricks, chalk, rocks, a lot of nasty products. But since I developed my system, I can look at any recipe and create anything with high protein, low fat, low carb. I do cheesecake, cookies, cake drops, creme brûlée…”
And she uses her success with Prep Cakes to give back, explaining, “I love the underdog so I find women in our community who have potential and I take the money I’m making from Prep Cakes and (sponsor them with it). So I’m helping build my community.”
In this episode, you’ll hear Tess talk about:
– Why does she like fitness? “I like the empowerment that comes with helping others. I have a love for competing…I’ve always been a people-pleaser and I started competing to get over my fear of judgement.”
– How does she balance everything? “I often ask myself, ‘How do I do it all?’ I just do it. When you believe in what you do and love what you do, it’s not a job. It’s hard to balance but I have a great support group and God guides me.”
– What are her plans are when she retires from the Air Force in August? “I’m going to put a lot of focus in Prep Cakes and go into online market to reach nationwide…The website (will be ready) in the next 30 days so you can order online.”
– What is her favorite thing about Bossier? “I love that It’s a pretty big city but has that small town feel. And there’s so many things you can do here. I always tel my airmen that when they say, ‘Ugh I want to leave,’ and I tell them, ‘You guys have never been to another base because it smells like cow poo and you have to drive an hour to get to a Walmart.’ Another thing is that the community is so supportive. I may be an outsider but I’ve never felt like a one.”
– What is her favorite thing to do in Bossier? “I work out a lot but I love (hanging out at) Crescent City Bistro. Chef Johnson is amazing and I went in there a week ago and was his little sous chef and made some amazing things. I tried nine different dishes. His new hushpuppy recipe and his fried chicken…It’s an art.”
– And what’s her advice for other entrepreneurs like herself? “Hope isn’t a strategy and how are you different? Sit down and really strategize on creating a concept that is different.”
To find out more about Prep Cakes, check out their Facebook page RIGHT HERE. And you can find previous episodes of Like a Boss by clicking HERE.