Her quest for a healthier bread began in 2018/2019 with T2Pan Sourdough Boutique, when Zaida sought to create nutritious bread for her children, who needed plenty of energy for their sports. “My children were very active, and I wanted to give them something that wasn’t only delicious but also nutritionally beneficial.” Her research led her to sourdough, a bread that respects the natural fermentation process, offering more flavor, aroma, and health benefits. “Dr. Vanessa Campbell is my greatest inspiration,” Zaida says of her mentor from afar. This lady, a doctor in the United Kingdom specializing in gut health and mental health, captivated Zaida with her philosophy that sourdough bread can be a powerful food. “Her work, dedication, and the idea that bread can be very healthy for your microbiota was an inspiration,” Zaida explains. “That’s when I started training in this area and decided to make sourdough bread to offer to our community because it’s a way to create a super healthy bread that’s good for the body.”

“Artisanal bread isn’t just bread made by hand. In my view, artisanal bread respects the natural process and time required for fermentation, allowing the dough to develop its flavor and texture. When you use natural leavening, the nutrients in the grain become more easily absorbable by the human body, which enhances the bread’s aroma, flavor, and maintains a more stable glycemic index. Using whole grain and organic flours is another major difference between artisanal bread and mass-produced bread, which focuses more on speed and quantity."

In 2020, Zaida decided to introduce a unique event to Aruba: Christmas in July. Inspired by other places where Christmas is celebrated during the summer, she thought, “Why not do it here too?” The event provided the community with an opportunity to enjoy traditional Christmas products like pan de jamon swirls, ayaca in a bun, and Christmas stollen buns, but at a different time of year.
The event became a hit, drawing people to Zaida's boutique to enjoy their favorite treats, and she plans to keep expanding it. “We want to grow the event and bring more treats for our clients,” she says, with a vision for the future.

Looking ahead, Zaida sees many possibilities for her bakery. “We want to add more types of bread and venture into the area of croissants,” she says. “My vision is to create a space where people can relax and enjoy a delicious croissant and a cup of coffee during their lunch break.” For Zaida, the journey from biology to baking is proof that at certain points in life, you need to focus on your passion, take the leap, and follow it.

“I see myself in the future as an ambassador for bread, especially now that I’ve just graduated as a certified bread sommelier. I’m one of the 16 women in the world among 257 certified bread sommeliers globally. With this knowledge, I will continue to expand my expertise, putting it into practice and working with different chefs in various establishments to offer people a unique experience in tasting and pairing bread with other products.”

The process of turning an idea into a business can be intimidating, but for Zaida, Qredits was the support she needed. “It took me a while to decide to seek financing, but once I made the decision, everything went smoothly,” Zaida explains. Qredits’ support gave her business the push it needed. Their service provided not just financing but also guidance on how to grow a small business into something sustainable.