A last-minute request turns into a nightmare
A small pie shop in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood was excited to receive a large order from Tesla, the electric car giant, on Valentine’s Day. The shop, called Giving Pies, was asked to make 2,000 mini-pies for a Black History Month event. The owner, Voahangy Rasetarinera, agreed to the order, despite the short notice and the huge volume.
However, the excitement turned into frustration and disappointment when Tesla failed to pay the invoice and canceled the order at the last minute. Rasetarinera said she contacted Tesla several times, but only got vague answers and apologies. She said she was shocked and hurt when Tesla finally told her that they did not need the pies anymore.
Rasetarinera said she lost thousands of dollars because of Tesla’s cancellation, as she had already bought the ingredients, boxes, and stickers, and rejected other orders to fulfill Tesla’s request.
A social enterprise with a big heart
Giving Pies is not just an ordinary pie shop. It is a social enterprise that donates 20% of its profits to local schools and charities. Rasetarinera, who is originally from Madagascar, started the business in 2018, after she moved to the US with her husband and four children. She said she wanted to share her passion for baking and giving back to the community.
Giving Pies specializes in handcrafted mini-pies, made with fresh and organic ingredients. The shop offers a variety of flavors, such as apple, cherry, lemon, and chocolate. Rasetarinera said she makes each pie with love and care, and hopes to bring joy and comfort to her customers.
Rasetarinera said she has worked hard to grow her business, and has managed to secure orders from big corporations like Apple, Google, and Intuit. She said she was thrilled when Tesla approached her, as she admired the company and its products.
A hope for a better outcome
Rasetarinera said she was devastated by Tesla’s cancellation, not only because of the financial loss, but also because of the lack of respect and communication. She said she felt that Tesla did not value her as a small business owner, and did not appreciate her efforts and sacrifices. She said she wished Tesla had been more honest and considerate with her, and had given her more notice and explanation.
Rasetarinera said she posted about her experience on social media, hoping to raise awareness and get some support from the public. She said Tesla saw her post and reached out to her, offering to make it up to her by inviting her to do two events on March 6th and 7th. However, she said she is still waiting for confirmation and payment from Tesla.
Rasetarinera said she hopes that Tesla will keep its promise and treat her fairly, and that she will be able to recover from this setback and continue her business.