After recently being featured on FOX 35 Orlando’s The 407, Rosen College alumna Valentina Mira is gaining attention for her entrepreneurial journey and the success of her dessert business, Late Knight Munchiezz. In the television segment, she gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the decorating process for her custom “Dot Cakes” and shared the story behind her growing business. Watch the FOX 35 feature, then go beyond the television interview as Valentina shares how her Rosen College education helped prepare her to launch a business, the lessons she’s learned as an entrepreneur, and her advice for students who hope to follow a similar path.
What inspired you to start Late Knight Munchiezz?
Late Knight Munchiezz started because I’ve always loved baking and wanted to turn something I was passionate about into a business. When I first started at UCF, it was also a way to connect with other students, which is actually where the name Late Knight Munchiezz came from. I wanted to create desserts for those late-night cravings while also building a sense of community. What began as making desserts for friends and classmates quickly grew through word of mouth and social media. Along the way, I’ve made so many meaningful connections and friendships through my business, and that’s been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. Today, Late Knight Munchiezz specializes in custom cakes, gourmet cookies, and desserts that help people celebrate life’s biggest moments.
How did your experience in Rosen College’s Lodging and Restaurant Management program help prepare you to run your own business?
Rosen has given me a strong foundation in hospitality and business. The Lodging and Restaurant Management program taught me so much about customer service, food and beverage operations, cost control, marketing, and creating memorable guest experiences. Even though I own a bakery, the hospitality mindset that Rosen emphasizes is something I use every day when working with customers and making sure every order exceeds expectations.
What skills or lessons from Rosen College do you use most often today?
The biggest lesson I’ve taken from Rosen is that hospitality is about creating experiences, not just selling a product. Every cake or dessert I make is part of someone’s birthday, wedding, graduation, or another special moment. I spend a lot of time talking with my customers to understand exactly what they’re envisioning, making sure every little detail is personalized and brought to life in their perfect cake or dessert order. Rosen also taught me the importance of communication, organization, and creating memorable guest experiences, and those are skills I use every single day while running my business.
What has been the biggest challenge, and the biggest reward, of building your business?
The biggest challenge has been balancing being a full-time student while also running a growing business. There are long days and a lot of late nights, but it’s taught me discipline and resilience.
The biggest reward has been seeing how much Late Knight Munchiezz has grown and being trusted to create desserts for so many important milestones. Knowing that people choose my business to be part of their special memories is something I’ll never take for granted.
What was it like being featured on FOX 35, and what did that recognition mean for you and your business?
Being featured on FOX 35 was such an exciting and surreal experience. It was an incredible opportunity to share my story and introduce Late Knight Munchiezz to a much larger audience. As a small business owner, that kind of recognition means so much because it validates all of the hard work that’s gone into building the business. It also gave me the chance to inspire other students who may be thinking about starting something of their own.
What is next for Late Knight Munchiezz?
Right now, my focus is continuing to grow the business by participating in local farmers markets and community events to gain more exposure and connect with new customers. Long term, my dream would be to have a cute mobile coffee and dessert trailer where people can stop by for specialty drinks and desserts, and eventually, opening my own storefront would be an absolute dream. I’m excited to keep growing the brand and see where this journey takes me.
What advice would you give current Rosen College students who aspire to become entrepreneurs?
My biggest piece of advice is to not be afraid to take that first step. Being an entrepreneur can definitely be intimidating, especially because it’s not something that’s really taught in school. A lot of it is learning as you go, making mistakes, and figuring things out along the way. But if you have the ambition, the passion, and the drive to make it happen, it’s absolutely possible.
At the same time, don’t underestimate how valuable your education is. Even if you’re starting your own business, the skills you learn at Rosen College will help you more than you realize. I studied Lodging and Restaurant Management, and I couldn’t be happier with that decision. The knowledge I gained about hospitality, operations, customer service, and running a business has been incredibly helpful in building Late Knight Munchiezz. Whether you decide to work for a company or start one of your own, those skills will always stay with you.
