Order human-like treats for your dogs from Treats by Marisol

Owner Jocelyn [Marisol] Pineda makes everything fresh out of her home kitchen.

Why it matters: The Latina-owned business has become a local favorite, with Pineda often spotted at pop-up markets like Front Porch Sundays and the Girl Tribe Pop-up. 

• Plus, Charlotteans love their pets. More than half of all households in Charlotte are considered “pet-owning households,” per the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Context: Pineda, a 29-year-old transplant from Chicago, says that she initially intended her desserts to be for humans but after two months of trying to keep her dog Rocky and two cats out of the kitchen, her boyfriend suggested she try making treats for animals. “Everybody has a dog in Charlotte,” he told her.

• After a few months of trial and error, Pineda launched her business in 2021.

“I’m completely self-taught,” she said, explaining the ingredients she uses to make her treats look human-like. “Carob looks identical to chocolate, so that’s what I use to make the chocolate-covered strawberries.”

How it works: Pineda, a full-time social worker for CMS, makes the cakes and other treats custom for her clients.

• Customers send an example of what they want with their order, “and I recreate a cake exactly like how that picture is,” she said.
• They last about one month when stored in the fridge and up to four months in the freezer. 
• The price of the cake depends on how much customization the customer asks for but at most, six-inch cakes cost about $60, she says.
• You can order her cakes online, or find her at a pop-up. She posts where she’ll be on her Instagram.

What’s next: “My dream is to have … my own bakery someday,” Pineda said.