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!  With new challenges presenting themselves in light of the current economic crisis in the country, we talk to home bakers who are navigating through these difficult times and bringing the sweet and savoury to your very own doorstep! 

With a passion for cooking and baking and experimenting with new dishes and sweets, Zainab Naleem started her baking business – Rainbow Bakes. “My mother and sister are the biggest support to me and they pushed me during my school days into the baking field. I really enjoyed decorating cakes in my class. I have a love for colour and brightness in my bakes and cakes so the business was naturally named ‘rainbow’ bakes!”.   

What do you offer?
We are specialised in customised cakes and sweets. We do a variety of cakes in different flavours such as ribbon cake, double chocolate cake, coffee cake, and red velvet cake. I also do cheesecakes, tres leches, cupcakes, eclairs, brownies and other small bakes. Right now, our best-selling products are our signature triple chocolate fudge cakes, cheesecake and eclairs. 

What is your signature style in baking? 
Hmm… I think my signature is that everything is baked with love!  

When did you start operations?
I am into the designing field and love to work with colours, drawing, designing and decorating. Baking is my passion and I love to try new sweets. My mother and sister motivated me to start my own business. I started to bake professionally back in 2018. And then during the Covid-19 pandemic, I started to balance my other work and continue to do the baking business as a part-time venture. I kept getting continuous orders for cakes and sweet boxes since then so I’ve been continuing my work. 

What is it like running your operations in times like these? 
During the pandemic I managed with extra stocks of ingredients and the agents helped me a lot to get the stuff delivered to the doorstep and I got to know a delivery person with a curfew travel pass. Therefore, during the lockdowns, I managed to deliver with extra care and hygiene. The Covid-19 period has been really challenging. Everyone supported small business owners and I’m especially grateful to my customers who trusted me and placed orders even during the worst days. I am glad to have them.

How are you ensuring the proper hygiene measures are taken in preparation and delivery?
When it comes to food, people always look for quality and hygiene. I have a separate place for baking where no outsiders can enter and I always keep it clean and dry. I always select the fresh, good quality ingredients to make the cakes and we take time for each and every cake in order to ensure its freshness. I make sure to give the best deal to my customers and I personally go to deliver the cakes and ensure that it’s safely delivered.

What do you enjoy about baking and operating your own home baking business?
Honestly, I am proud of myself that I have a little business to call my own. I enjoy every bit of it. Baking truly gives such great peace of mind and nothing can beat the satisfaction I get after a good outcome and my customers’ happy feedback! 

How do you see home bakers going forward during this period? 
The biggest challenge home bakers are facing which is worse than Covid-19 is the unbearable daily price increases and the fact that most of the imported ingredients are not available in the country and we are trying to manage to serve the best for the customers. 

What’s next for the brand?
Right now, we are introducing amazing varieties of new sweets and hoping to conduct classes on basic
cake decorating. 

Any advice to anyone who wants to start their own business?
Always pursue what you want to do. Be unique, start small with what you are comfortable with and grow your business step by step. Be open and friendly with your customers and always run your business ethically.