‘Unemployment has led ambitious youths to become entrepreneurs’

Even though she spent four years studying political science, she is more passionate about cake baking, which according to her is her calling. She is presently the founder of Baking Bee in Abuja. Tell us about your educational background and your ambition while in school?I  went to school  in Abuja from primary to university level. […]

Even though she spent four years studying political science, she is more passionate about cake baking, which according to her is her calling. She is presently the founder of Baking Bee in Abuja.

Tell us about your educational background and your ambition while in school?
I  went to school  in Abuja from primary to university level. I graduated from University of Abuja in year 2010 where I studied political science. Although when I was in secondary school my dream was to become a lawyer but it is amazing how things change completely with age. I honestly didn’t think anything would change my mind, but I ended up studying political science and now I have gone into baking cakes for all occasions. The name of my company is Baking Bee. I make different designs of cake.
How did you come about baking and for how long have been into the business?
Baking is my passion; I am very  passionate about it.  I have always had an interest in the art of cake making and seeing how beautifully people decorate them. I decided to give it a try after my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) because I don’t fancy being idle. I had no idea it would turn into a successful business at that time but alhamdulillah I have been into the business for a year and some  months now and it has been success all through.

Did you attend a catering school or how did you learn to bake cake and other confectionaries?
I attended baking schools in Nigeria and abroad, My success in baking has everything to do with the will of Allah and how passionate I am about it. It is something I look forward to everyday, and as I like to put it, “It’s not work if you love doing it”. I am thankful to God everyday because it all started out as a hobby and it blossomed into this business that continues to grow every day.
What is needed if one wants to start your kind of business?
You can start up a baking business with very little capital, as little as N10, 000. The most important thing is to cultivate the habit of saving and re-investing.
What about the equipment needed for the baking, do you have them all when you started?
No, I didn’t have all the equipment when I started. When I started I was mixing using my hands but as the business grew I had to get a mixing machine and right now I am saving to get a much bigger one and also more ovens too. A small mixing machine ranges from N6, 000 to N10,000 while the industrial ones go for between N90,000 to N150,000.
You said you bake at home, why; is it that you cannot afford to rent a shop?
Like I said earlier, I had no idea the business would grow so quickly but baking at home so far has not been challenging in any way, in fact it is very convenient for me. But I hope to own a bakery in the near future insha Allah.
Do you have people working under you and how do you explore creativity in cake baking?
Yes, I have a few helping hands and a very supportive family. My mother who is my role model is a very strong and hardworking woman and also my constant source of inspiration. I also look up to Buddy ‘Cake Boss’ a very successful baker in America who flawlessly turns cakes into what may seem impossible to a narrow mind. I love watching his shows and that also helps to improve my creativity.

What are the challenges associated with your business?
The constant power failure we experience is a very big challenge and sometimes it is difficult to get the items I need down here like edible ink and edible paper for picture cakes, and also I come across difficult clients from time to time. Customer satisfaction is my number one priority, so I try my very best to please them, you know the customer is always right. People from all works of life patronise me because I bake for all ages and different occasions.
What do you think about the high level of unemployment ravaging Nigeria and making graduates go into diverse forms of odd jobs?
I think the number of unemployed youths in the country far surpasses the statistics we have been given over the years. There are so many graduates and very few job opportunities; this has led ambitious youths to become entrepreneurs, which is inspiring. Seeing that Nigerian youths have taken to skill acquisition and being self reliant rather than waiting for the government is impressive.

What is your advice to unemployed graduates out there?
I advise them to keep trying and to chase their dreams till they find that job or trade that suits them. It’s okay to test the waters, I had tried interior design and event decorations in the past but when it didn’t work out for me, I didn’t give up and today alhamdulillah I’ve found my calling. It may be hard sometimes, but never lose hope, never lose focus, never lose your drive and most importantly never stop dreaming. Remember, ‘There are no elevators to success, we all have to use the stairs.’