listen to this articlePerhaps no one embodies the American success story more than immigrants who uproot their lives in other countries, start anew in the United States, and then build thriving businesses.
So did Mosit Mizrachi Gavitas, a pastry chef and owner of Janjou Patisserie in Boise, who has started a new life with her husband in the Gem State. Her story highlights the meaning behind National Mom & Pop Business Owners Day.
Mizrachi Gavitas moved to Boise in 2007 and opened Janju Patisserie in 2008. It was a completely different industry than anything she had worked in before. She worked for 10 years as a subsidiary manager for a semiconductor company in her native Israel. It was based in Boise.
“I lost my mother, and she used to cook for me,” she said. “And I started cooking because I didn’t have anyone to cook for me anymore. And I realized that I really, really liked it. But baking is more fun.
She attended baking school, then interned at a bakery in Tel Aviv and fell in love with the job.She changed jobs, learned English, and moved to the United States
Mizrachi-Gavitas’ hard work and dedication are reflected in her work. She is a James Beard Award semifinalist. Twice.
There is a line outside the store, and most of the seats inside and outside the patisserie are occupied when it opens, but the company says it has no plans to expand. In fact, the store is only open Thursday through Sunday so Mizrachi-Gavitas and her staff can focus on quality.
“We want to make sure you get what you pay for,” she said. “We use high-quality ingredients. We use traditional techniques. To maintain that quality, we want to deliver authenticity.”
To celebrate National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day in Janjou, Zions Bank economist Robert Spendlove will be on hand at Patisserie on March 29th to talk about the importance of small businesses like bakeries. emphasized.
According to Spendlove, 99% of businesses in Idaho are small businesses.
“They truly are the lifeblood of our economy, creating jobs and giving our neighborhoods a unique feel,” he said. “They also contribute to the unique character of Idaho communities and are beloved by local residents. If you don’t believe me, just look around and enjoy the amazing croissants served here. Look at the long lines of people lining up at the door.”
Spendlove noted that Idaho’s economic and job growth is projected to outpace the U.S. average over the next 10 years. She also noted that the number of female entrepreneurs has increased significantly since 2019, with the growth rate of women-owned businesses increasing by 94%.
“Last year, Idaho created 23,000 new jobs, for a total job growth rate of 2.8%,” he said. “Our unemployment rate is about 3.3%, which is lower than the national average. We also created 2,900 new jobs in the manufacturing sector, with a growth rate of 3.8%. This is important because it provides real fuel.”
Although the country is growing by leaps and bounds, Mizrachi-Gabitas has no ambitions for large-scale operations.
“We have to stay small. We have to stay small,” she said. “I’m not really interested in money. I’m happy with where I am. It’s art. It’s art.”
