Business Focus:
A love for baking and the desire to give her sons more hands-on attention has led a mom of two to start a baking business in her hometown of Kariega.
Zaheerah Smith started her business Kaycee Cakes during the Covid-19 pandemic, which was a risky move, but she knew that it was the best decision for herself and her family.
“I resigned from work during Covid mostly to care for my autistic son. I found balancing work and dealing with his diagnosis wasn’t working out and I needed to come up with something to make money and keep myself sane. So I applied for a course on cake decorating and here I am… decorating and stuff,” she says with a laugh.
Although the humble Smith will joking refer to her cake designs as “designing and stuff” her cakes have become sought after in Nelson Mandela Bay with her elaborate designs and eagerness to “give it a shot” making her quite popular.
From exquisite wedding cakes to elaborate birthday cakes, Smith has come a long way from just baking for the family.
“I would never have thought I’d be baking! Once I got married and started a family, I taught myself and started baking cakes for family and friends and this turned into an actual interest and I discovered that I really enjoy it,” she said, adding that her past self would find the idea laughable.
Before starting Kaycee Cakes which she named after her longtime fascination with the name, she worked in administration.
“During Covid, I just took the leap. I could be home with the kids run my business and look after my son myself. This was important to me as at the time I had this fear of carers mistreating my non-verbal son. I could work at my own pace and be present for my kids,” she said teasingly adding that working from home also gave her more time to argue and be bested by her two strong-willed boys.
Kaycee Cakes is a one-man operation but Smith says she could not do it without her supportive husband Bilal who assists with packaging, and delivery and is a very willing taste tester.
Smith’s most popular products are themed birthday cakes and bento cakes and she says that she has seen more than her fair share of Cocomelon-themed cakes in the last two years. With most of her orders coming from wives and moms.
“In the three years I have been operating, I have only had one boyfriend order a cake for his girlfriend, it was so awesome and so sweet. I might actually have a little discounted price for husbands and boyfriends to encourage them to treat their significant other every now and then, you know what I mean,” she says.
The bubbly Smith says that although she has to deal with load-shedding and delivery while avoiding potholes she is very positive about her business.
“One day I would love to own a bakery and rent spaces for other moms or even dads who enjoy baking and would like to sell their wares,” she said.
You can view my WhatsApp catalog on 0623701234, and see her work on Instagram @kaycee.cakes and Facebook on Kaycee Cakes
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