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 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! 

Cake Vault by Shehani Perera was a lockdown project that kicked off in June 2020. Having been fond of cooking and baking since she was small, she has perfected her craft following baking courses done by Mrs Tiffany Shereen of SweetFixbyTiffany. “Once I completed the baking course, I wasn’t planning on starting a home baking business. But once the first lockdown was imposed, I was left with a lot of free time in my hands which led to the opening of Cake Vault”. 

What do you offer?
-  I offer different varieties of cakes, cupcakes for any occasion from birthdays to anniversaries, engagements etc. and also desserts such as brownies, chocolate biscuit puddings, mousses etc.  Our best seller is our classic vanilla cake layered in our home-made strawberry compote made with fresh strawberries sourced from a local vendor as well as our double-chocolate brownies loaded with chocolate chips which are regularly ordered items from my menu. I personally love a good rich chocolate cake frosted and filled with chocolate ganache, which is something I enjoy baking the most and sharing with my loved ones.
 
When did you start operations?
- I started Cake Vault during the initial lockdown back in June of last year. I had a lot of free time during the lockdown and together with a lot of encouragement of my mother, I finally opened an Instagram page and over time I opened pages on other social media platforms such as Facebook and most recently TikTok which is a growing trend nowadays and on Pinterest to help get the brand of my business out there. 
 
What is it like running your operations in times like these? 
- Initially, the main difficulty was with getting the ingredients, packaging, logo stickers etc.  The main problem I faced during this pandemic is the difficulty of sourcing ingredients. At one point during the first lockdown, the most basic ingredients such as butter and cocoa powder was difficult to get a hold of since many factories were completely closed. Further, obtaining natural ingredients such as fresh fruits and fresh flowers was a hassle. Also finding a proper delivery partner was quite a hassle as well until we found PickMe Flash. We had to manage our orders with the constant curfews and lockdowns which was another difficulty when operating during a pandemic.
 
How are you ensuring the proper hygiene measures are taken in preparation and delivery?
- Hygiene has always been an important factor in our house. We make sure all our utensils are thoroughly washed and cleaned and stored appropriately.  Especially during delivery, we make sure our packaging is secure and the order reaches the customer safely.
 
What do you enjoy about baking and operating your own home baking business?
- From a small age I was fond of cooking and so naturally I loved baking once I started learning it. I enjoy putting the time and effort into creating something beautiful to bring a smile to my customers’ faces and also the feeling of accomplishment and happiness it gives me after looking at the final result of my hard work and patience is a wonderful feeling.  Operating my own small business keeps me occupied throughout the day and helps me utilize the skills I’ve learned through my qualifications. But most of all, what makes running a home business so satisfying is getting lovely feedback from our customers which makes all the hard work and time spent so worthwhile. 
 
How do you see home bakers going forward post-Covid?
- Small home bakers like me, would most definitely see the use of social media and social media marketing as the main method of creating awareness and generating sales throughout and post-COVID. 

What does 2021 hold for your brand?
- June 2021 will mark one year since I started Cake Vault. I am pretty excited for what this year would hold for my business and I’m grateful for how far I’ve come throughout the past year. I’m also looking forward to adding new items to my menu such as tarts, eclairs and other desserts. 

Any advice to anyone who wants to start their own business?
- My advice would be to not hesitate and be reluctant but do what you think is right at the right time and trust in your skill or your passion. Most importantly, be patient throughout the hard times and overcome any challenges as and when they come.