A bakery owner in California, Voahangy Rasetarinera, faced a devastating blow when Tesla abruptly canceled a substantial order worth $16,000, leaving her business, The Giving Pies, in distress.
Despite Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s offer to reimburse her for the supplies purchased for the job, Rasetarinera decided to decline, highlighting the significant impact the cancellation had on her small Black women-owned business.
The ordeal began when Rasetarinera received an order for 2,000 mini pies from a Tesla employee named Laura.
Expecting a smooth transaction, Rasetarinera encountered obstacles when payment was redirected through Tesla’s vendor, City Flavor.
Despite assurances from Laura and an increase in the order size to 4,000 pies, payment failed to materialize, leading to concerns and a difficult situation for The Giving Pies.
Ultimately, Rasetarinera received a text from Laura informing her of the order cancellation, leaving her shattered and expressing disappointment at Tesla’s disregard for commitments made.
However, Rasetarinera’s heartfelt post detailing the incident garnered widespread support, leading to a significant increase in business for The Giving Pies.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk, responding to the situation on social media, expressed his surprise at the canceled order and emphasized Tesla’s commitment to excellence.
Despite a Tesla manager’s offer to reimburse Rasetarinera for the supplies purchased, she declined, citing prior commitments and a depleted stock of crust due to increased business.
While Rasetarinera remains open to future collaboration with Tesla, the impact of the canceled order serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination required to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship in today’s economic climate.
