After getting married and moving to the US, I decided to enroll in a baking school and take my passion further. Baking has been a part of my journey, and I didn’t expect it to become a full-fledged career so quickly, but it did.
Upon arriving in the US, I attended pastry school and worked there for two years. However, after having children, I took a break from baking for about four years. Eventually, I felt the need for an outlet and started baking again, initially taking orders from friends and family. Encouraged by their positive response, I decided to advertise my bakery on Yelp, which led to more orders and small joys along the way. When my daughter turned three and started going to school, I began taking orders more seriously and eventually realized the need to move out of my house due to overwhelming demand. Recognizing the market potential, especially among the large Indian population in the area, I took the plunge and opened my bakery.
The year 2020 brought the challenge of the pandemic. Despite signing the lease for the bakery, I had to take a break before officially starting due to the unforeseen circumstances. However, the landlord was understanding and allowed me some flexibility in negotiating the rent. This gave me the opportunity to start slowly and learn from any mistakes without excessive pressure. Although the pandemic affected everyone, I tried to stay positive and embrace the slower pace of starting my business. With my children at home, it was a challenging time, but having only a few employees made the situation more manageable.
Throughout this journey, my family has been my biggest support. My husband, in particular, encouraged me to take my time and not feel pressured to break even in the first year. His understanding and support were invaluable. Additionally, having my in-laws and parents help with childcare allowed me to focus on my bakery. I would also like to give a shoutout to my friend Kristin the Owner of Zia Yoga Wellness , who motivated me to pursue my dreams and reminded me that even if things didn’t work out, I could always try something else.
People often come to us with cake pictures, but they also have budgetary and diet constraints and specific preferences. We do our best to create a cake that aligns with their requests, but it can be disheartening when they compare it to the picture and end up feeling disappointed. Interacting with upset customers truly hurts, as we pour love and joy into every cake we make.
Over time, we have learned the importance of letting go and accepting that not everyone will be completely satisfied. However, we never stop striving to bring happiness to those who appreciate our craft. Managing expectations and emotions has become a continuous journey for us.
It can be difficult knowing that we can’t please everyone, but we find solace in the smiles of those who are genuinely delighted with their cakes. Their happiness fuels our passion and keeps us going. We deeply empathize with those who are disappointed and always aim to create a positive experience.
Fluctuating costs and managing customer expectations are ongoing challenges. Despite the challenges, there have been numerous sweet moments and heartwarming experiences along the way.
One of the main challenges I face is finding the right employees who are a perfect fit for my bakery. This puzzle piece is crucial for the success of the business. I have a great team to support me now.
It’s essentially a team of women, all of whom have kids. Balancing work and family can be challenging, but their passion for baking keeps them motivated. They all form a strong support system, and I’m proud to say that we make a great team.
