Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Unice America, owner of NieceyBakes, located in Ajax, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
NieceyBakes is a home-based baking business that features Filipino delicacies. I always knew I wanted to share my passion for baking with others, but I didn’t know where to start. What better way to do so than to incorporate my culture. My customers are people who love desserts and who want to try awesome Filipino flavors that I enjoyed growing up.
Tell us about yourself
I started baking when I was in high school. I would always see my mom baking treats for her friends and coworkers. I loved how it made her so happy feeding people, so I started baking for others too! At first, I only sold to family and friends occasionally, and it wasn’t until late 2020 that I decided to sell to the public. The feedback I got from people has been incredible, and it just kept me going. My family and kids motivate me to do what I do each day. Every day, I’m reminded that I’m setting an example for my children about the value of hard work.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being a business owner is an accomplishment in itself, especially during this pandemic era. My biggest accomplishment would be balancing everything on my plate and still thriving.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things about being a business owner is definitely trying to balance it all. The work-life balance is a challenge. Between also having a full-time job, having a family + being a mom of 3 kids, and running this side business (also baking, delivering, buying supplies and ingredients, etc.), there’s very little time for anything else. Being intentional with my time and writing down my goals and priorities have been very helpful. My family has been an amazing support as well. Always there to lend a helping hand.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Just go for it! If you have a passion for something, just share it with the world. You never know where it might lead you.
- Be patient. Success doesn’t happen overnight. There have been a lot of late and sometimes sleepless nights, very early mornings, and very stressful days. You just have to have your eye on the prize and have a little bit of patience, and you will be rewarded.
- Don’t be afraid to fail. As business owners and as humans in general, we are always learning, and we are bound to make mistakes. Sometimes things work out, and sometimes they don’t, and that is okay. We need to embrace those challenges and ask ourselves, what can we learn from this? Take it as a life lesson and move forward.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I want to say THANK YOU to all my customers, family, and friends who have supported me and continue to do so. Thank you for letting me share my love for baking with you. My success is the success of many, so thank you all!
Where can people find you and your business?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nieceybakes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nieceybakes/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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