Think you’re busy? Each weekday morning Maricar Dela Cruz wakes at 3.30am to make, bake and intricately ice hundreds of sugar fondant cookies, producing between 500 to 700 custom designed biscuits each week for clients of her business MDC Creations.
Job done, the mother of two wakes her young boys, Archer, 4, and Charlie, 3, prepares the siblings for daycare, drops them off and heads to her full-time job as Space Leader at WOTSO Blacktown in Sydney’s western suburbs.
By 9am, she’s done what many would consider a full day’s work, yet her’s has just begun.
Maricar and her colleague Aanisha Kendall manage the operations at WOTSO Blacktown, which has 50 offices and just under 200 members. It’s a great space with a real diversity of members, most of them small businesses.
She joined WOTSO last May and, given her experience, believes she could not have found a better job after completely devoting herself to building the cookie business and raising her kids over the past few years.
“I wanted to grow,” says Maricar. “I was reaching a point where I needed to be around like-minded people. I was very lucky to fall into WOTSO. The business, concept and company is perfect for me, because I come from a small business background.”
Her favourite part of the job is interacting with members. “I am very blessed and lucky here at Blacktown to have members who are so community based. We’re all here to help each other,” she says.
“I come into work, and I don’t feel like I’m coming to work. To me it’s a haven because I feel like I belong here. I love my job.”
Maricar’s efforts have been recognised with an invitation to speak at Wesley Mission’s International Women’s Day event in Quakers Hill on March 5.
“I feel honoured to have been asked to be part of something that’s so inspirational for a lot of people, especially young people,” says Maricar.
“To me, IWD is a celebration of strength, resilience, and the endless possibilities women hold.
“As a mother, business owner, and full-time employee, I have experienced firsthand the challenges and rewards of balancing multiple roles, and the resilience needed to face it all head on.
“This day serves as a reminder of the power we have to create, nurture, and inspire, not just for ourselves, but for those around us.
“It’s about embracing our unique journeys, celebrating the ability to pursue our passions, and finding empowerment from one another to grow, uplift and be bold. IWD is a day to remind us of the full potential we carry within.”
