HOW SHE STARTED HER BUSINESS.

Clarissa had to use all the money she had to start her business. A courageous thing to do I think, when the success of most small businesses are uncertain.

Hope you get inspired with her story.

*Short description of yourself.                                                        

I’m Clarissa, a nurse and a baker who deals in pastries and cakes.

What motivated you to start your business?

I love baking so I just thought, why not make money doing what I love to do.

Tell us about your business.

I own a bakery named “Rissa’s bakery” we make cream cakes (whipped cream and buttercream), Fondant cakes and assorted pastries for different occasions including Weddings and birthdays.

What were the first and few steps you took to get your business up and running?

With the work I do, I need a lot of tools and equipment and then quality but affordable Ingredients not forgetting recipes that are very yummy that my clients will ask for more when they purchase so I got them and I told my friends about it.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?

That will be social media advertisement and taking really good pictures of every product we come out with in order to post it on the social media page so that when someone visits the page, the person doesn’t leave the page without saving our number or calling to place an order.

What has been your biggest challenge so far running your business?

Well, my biggest challenge so far has been with delivery of cream cakes to clients since most people want to get everything delivered to them instead of them going all the way to get it. Usually people use riders to deliver their products but cream cakes won’t work so by the time the Client receives the cake, it’s already smashed and they get offended and it’s expected because nobody wants a smashed cake.

 How did u overcome these challenges?

OK so we decided to deliver with cars instead because it’s much safer though expensive and time consuming but then much safer.

What do u love about running your own business?

I love running my own business because, I get to do what I love doing and then to also learn new things as well as getting more money than I get from the nursing job monthly.

How do you keep motivated through difficult times?

What motivates me is that I follow a lot of really good bakers and so whenever I’m online I see the good things they do, very challenging things I know I can’t do but with hard work and more research, I can do them.

Do you have a business philosophy?

Learn by Doing.

Greatest fear?

My greatest fear is to be stagnant and not expand my business.

Most courageous thing you have ever done.

The most courageous thing I’ve ever done is to use all the money I had to start up my business.

What do u believe?

I believe in hard work and determination and to never give up when you go wrong or make mistakes.

What are some lessons learnt so far.

To always keep pushing forward and to never fear or quit.

Any business quote?

Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.

Advice to other entrepreneurs.

My advice to entrepreneurs is to make sure you love doing whatever you’re doing and you won’t feel like you’re working a day in your life. Also to learn new things all the time through the internet and from people as well. Also correct your mistakes and find out what works best for your business and do that.

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