Meet Karina Calderon-Davila | Executive Pastry Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karina Calderon-Davila and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karina, is there something you believe many others might not?
“Owning your business is a 24/7 job and you have to always be hustling.” While in some ways this isn’t wrong, owning a business is a lot of hard work, time, and dedication, I didn’t start my own business to swap out my 40 hour work week for a 24/7 job. I started this business to create my own schedule and to have more time with my family. I used to hustle extremely hard and saying yes to every order or catering that came my way. After a while, I started getting burnt out. There was no time with my family and the time I did have with them I was already drained with nothing left to give. You have to set boundaries and put what is important first. In my case, my family was the reason to starting this business, so I had to be selective and smart about which orders/caterings/collabs/events that I wanted to take on. Work smarter, not harder is definitely better than hustling 24/7.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business is Georgetown Pie Company. We are ran out of a shared commercial kitchen space in Georgetown, Texas called Korner Kitchen. We make everything fresh daily using the best quality ingredients we can get our hands on. What I’m most proud of is our growth since the start of the pie company at the end of July 2019. I went from a cottage law bakery to moving into a commercial kitchen within the first few months of operations due to the demand. We went from just me to a 6 person staff, including my husband who is now full-time with the business. Lastly, we went from 2 markets a month to 25 a month! The growth of this business has been so massive in a short amount of time. As it was growing, I found myself trying to keep it from growing too fast by turning down events and opportunities. Now we have the staff and capabilities to do whatever we want! It wasn’t easy, it was a lot of dedication and long 12 hour + days. My secret to overcoming the challenges is leaning into my support system: my family and Jesus. My husband has been there encouraging and helping me every step of the way. Jesus gives me strength and wisdom when I’m feeling worn out or am not sure of what to do in times of difficulty. My business wouldn’t be where it is today without them both. The number one lesson I learned along the way is to set boundaries with your business. You are running your business–your business isn’t running you. When you’re feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, take a minute to reflect and make changes. I want the world to be encouraged by my story and inspired to make their dreams a reality!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Here is a list of my Georgetown reccomendations! It’s a compiled list, there is so much more to do! (These aren’t in any particular order.)

Things to do in Georgetown, Texas:
1. Spend the day at Lake Georgetown hiking and paddle boating or kayaking.
2. Inner Space Caverns tour.
3. Cool off at the Blue Hole.
4. Shopping in the historic downtown square.
5. Catch a show at the Palace Theater.

Delicious Restaurants:
1. Mikey V’s Tacos
2. 600 Degrees Pizzeria
3. Good Folks
4. Golden Rule
5. Monument Cafe

Awesome Local Bars:
1. Hard Count
2. Barrels and Amps
3. Golden Rule
4. Hard Tails (has really good burgers too!)
5. El Monumento

Where to get your craft beer:
1. Barking Armadillo
2. Rentsch Brewing
3. Mesquite Creek Outfitters
4. 600 Degrees Pizzeria
5. District 6

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give my shout out to all the mentors I’ve had throughout my career starting with Chef Emily Jimenez who was my biggest supporter when I started her culinary arts class in high school. Chef Tabitha Hopper taught me everything I know about being a great line cook and prepper. She really whipped me into shape. I want her to know that I am very grateful to have worked under her in the beginning stages of my career. My mentors Sammy Thompson of 600 Degrees Pizzeria, Mikey and Tanya Valencia of Mikey V’s Hot Sauce, Esther Beachy of Esther Sweet Buns, and of course my teachers from culinary school Chef Herrington & Chef Sternau, thank you all for your wisdom, advice, encouragement, and honesty.

Website: Georgetownpieco.com

Instagram: @georgetownpieco

Facebook: @georgetownpieco

Image Credits
Bethany Carpio Juju Gwin Beachy