Austin – For most people, flan is just a tasty dessert. For Marta and Carlos Guzmán, the caramel custard is their livelihood. The local entrepreneurs are co-owners of Marta’s Desserts, which makes gourmet flan in seven delicious flavors.

Austin Community College’s Small Business Development Center recently honored Marta Guzmán with its annual Small Business Person of the Year Award. Since 1993, Guzmán has sought assistance from the Center’s counselors with developing a business plan, applying for a loan, expanding her facilities, and marketing her product.

In 1988, Guzmán began her business like many small business people do: at home on a shoestring budget of $150. Six months later, she was not only using her own oven to bake the traditional Hispanic dessert, but her neighbor’s ovens as well. Now, Marta’s Desserts has expanded their operations with a new facility and a larger commercial kitchen to continue serving their customers.

Marta markets and distributes her flan in cities throughout Texas and in Arizona as well. Her original classic vanilla flan, which won the Austin Chronicle’s “Best Flan” award in 1994, is based on a recipe that was used by Marta’s mother in 1949. Her pumpkin flan won the Chronicle’s 1995 “Best Flan” award. Although Marta has added new flavors, such as cheesecake, chocolate and coconut, her original vanilla flan is still her number one seller and is served by Texas’ best restaurants.

On October 10, 2001, Marta and her desserts will be featured on the Food Network.

ACC hosts the Small Business Development Center, which is in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Center assists small business owners and prospective ones at no charge with an array of services, including preparing and implementing business plans, marketing, bookkeeping, financial assessments, and profitability analysis.