In this series, we talk to people who turned their passion for food and baking into a business idea amidst lockdown and COVID-19 fears. Some have been in the market for years and others saw the new opportunity and took it! These home businesses are changing the game and have overcome the odds of running a business during the quarantine. With increased restrictions once more, we talk to home bakers who are operating during these times to bring the sweet and savoury to your very own doorstep!
Fresh out of school, Poojani Rathnayke knew nothing about cakes or baking but a work opportunity with a talented home baker only grew her passion for it. She learnt the basics and the techniques from scratch and began her business Sugar Blossoms in 2019. “My first work experience allowed me to have a growing passion for baking that is what started my journey as a home baker. I wanted to bloom our customers taste buds into a sugar paradise from the moment they hear or see our name and that’s how Sugar Blossoms was created”.
1. What do you offer?
- Sugar Blossoms speciality is in decorated cakes in both vanilla and chocolate flavours, Chocolate moist cake, Chocolate and coffee cake, Coffeecake, Cupcakes, Red velvet cake, Brownies, Butter cookies, Decorated cookies, Chocolate chip cookies, Wedding cake structures, Wedding cake pieces, Christmas Cake, Love Cake, and custom gift packs that include anything the customer wishes to include. Among these, our Chocolate Moist Cake with dark chocolate icing, decorated and customized sugar cookies and our chocolaty brownies are our best sellers.
2. When did you start operations?
- I started Sugar Blossoms in 2019. By late 2019, I managed to build a good brand reputation with customers. The coronavirus at the start of 2020 was a huge impact on my business – which was the case for many home bakers. Even though my customers wanted to make their special day memorable with my sweets, under the circumstance I was unable to fulfil their wishes during the first curfew. Once restrictions lifted, we started our normal operations and continued.
3. What is it like running your operations in times like these?
- Curfew time was one of the hardest times I had to face but I also made sure to use that time to make my skills better so I started practising sugar characters and more new techniques.
4. How are you ensuring that proper hygiene measures are taken in preparation and delivery?
- Even before the pandemic I baked all my cakes maintaining very high hygiene. So, I maintained that same standard while I was making cakes. But because of the pandemic, I gave extra attention and followed all the health guidelines when delivering the cakes.
5. What do you enjoy about baking and operating your own home baking business?
- Baking has become a part of my life now. It is all about chemistry meeting creativity. The most interesting part is what is happening inside the oven – the sweet aroma which makes my home the sweetest place on the earth. At the end of the baking, I, myself smells just like a yummy cake! When it comes to cakes, my favourite thing is decorating. Even though it takes lots of time and effort, I love doing it just to see that beautiful piece of art.
6. How do you see home bakers going forward post-Covid?
- Covid-19 interfered with my business a lot and even though I had the demand for my cakes, I couldn’t supply during that initial lockdown which made a huge loss. With the new normal, I see and I feel that every home baker is trying to rise up again and be back to their normal routine.
7. What does 2021 hold for your brand?
- It’s the year that made a turning point for my business from many aspects. I choose this year to get back on track by going to my customers in a little different way by adding some more qualities, features and techniques. In this year I hope to introduce my customized sweet gift boxes where customer can customize them with their wants and budget. And with that many newer things will be added to my little business.
8. Any advice to anyone who wants to start their own business?
- First and the foremost thing I must say is, find something which you are passionate about. Choose something you love and dream big about it. If you love it - do it! And make it a big deal. Take the best use of your talents to do a change in this world and to add more colours to this world. Things will be hard at times. But keep working so hard until you reach out that maximum level of your life. Even if it’s a slow journey, keep moving. And when you do it, always remember to have a business plan for yourself.
Sugar Blossoms take orders via Instagram (@sugar_blossoms_). Bank Transfers and Cash on pickup are accepted.
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