From Puerto Rican Roots to Franchise Frontier: Kristina Lavallee Embodies Women’s History Month

Puerto Rican powerhouse Kristina Lavallee turns cakes for legends into a franchise uprising, igniting Women’s History Month with unstoppable Latina grit.

TAMPA, Fla. – In the heart of Women’s History Month this March 2025, Kristina Lavallee, the visionary Puerto Rican chef behind The Cake Girl, stands as a vibrant symbol of women’s resilience, ingenuity, and unstoppable drive. From a sleek mobile food truck rolling through Tampa to a bustling brick-and-mortar bakery and now a national franchise on the horizon, her journey mirrors the spirit of trailblazing women who’ve shaped history—and she’s just getting started.

Born in Puerto Rico, Kristina launched The Cake Girl with grit and a dream, defying a culinary world that rarely made room for Latina voices. Her custom cakes and mini cupcakes—over 20,000 custom cakes and 1 million cupcakes served to date—became edible art, earning her celebrity chef status with creations like the viral GOAT cake for Tom Brady, splashed across ESPN, TMZ, and national news. She’s baked for Shark Tank’s Daymond John, The Profit’s Marcus Lemonis, Camping World’s CEO, Glenn Beck—whose custom cake soared via private jet to Texas—and Aquaman’s Jason Momoa, her talent captivating icons nationwide. “I refused to let anyone box me in,” she declares with Puerto Rican fire. “My roots, my hustle—those are my ingredients for change.”

Her ascent defied odds. When the pandemic struck, Kristina didn’t flinch—she pivoted, scaling a local gem into a national name. Outlets from The Today Show to Telemundo, and dozens more across the U.S., crowned her a go-to voice for entrepreneurship and culinary flair. One late night, perfecting a cake for Daymond John, she realized her power: “I wasn’t just baking—I was building a legacy.” For Kristina, success is communal. With The Cake Girl’s franchise expansion, she’s empowering women and minorities to claim their slice, aiming for 50 locations by 2030, led by diverse dreamers. “I’ve felt the sting of being overlooked,” she confesses. “Now, I’m lighting the way for others to shine.”

This is Women’s History Month distilled: a Latina entrepreneur echoing the courage of Dolores Huerta, who fought for the marginalized, and the grit of every woman who dared to dream bigger. Kristina’s Puerto Rican pride pulses through her story—supporting Tampa’s community with treats for frontline workers and military personnel, inspiring youth, and now pledging jobs through franchising. “Community is the heartbeat of my work,” she reflects. “It’s where I find my why.” She’s not just a chef; she’s a movement, blending island soul with a blueprint for growth that lifestyle and business press can’t ignore.

For young women, Kristina is a beacon. Her journey—from economic uncertainty to a media darling baking for moguls and movie stars—shows what’s possible when you bet on yourself. “I want them to feel unstoppable,” she says with quiet strength. “Every cupcake I bake whispers: You belong here.” Her authenticity, forged in Puerto Rico and honed in Tampa’s storefront, shines in every TV demo and headline, making her a relatable icon for the next generation of dreamers and doers.

This March, Kristina’s story ignites Women’s History Month, a living testament to women’s potential. Like the Latina pioneers before her, she proves bold voices can reshape industries—and history itself. “This isn’t just my win—it’s ours,” she insists, eyes on a franchise future. Her viral moments—Brady’s GOAT, Momoa’s masterpiece—grab attention, but her refusal to settle steals the show. “Every cake holds a piece of my soul,” she shares. “It’s my love letter to those still fighting to be seen.” She’s turning Women’s History Month into a call to action: Rise, build, thrive.

Where is Kristina Lavallee going? To the top, with a franchise empire that’s a legacy of empowerment. She’s a national name, her work featured from coast to coast, but her next chapter promises more: a network of dreamers carrying her torch, redefining success for women everywhere. As The Cake Girl scales new heights, she invites all to join her in celebrating Women’s History Month 2025—not as a look back, but as a launchpad. “We’re not just making history,” she says with a knowing smile. “We’re baking it, one dream at a time.”

About The Cake Girl

Founded by Kristina Lavallee, The Cake Girl is a nationally celebrated bakery known for custom cakes and mini cupcakes, crafted from scratch with love. From a Tampa food truck to a thriving franchise, it’s a symbol of resilience, innovation, and empowerment for diverse entrepreneurs.