For the Sweetest Moments in Life - Custom Cakes by Ria
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Riyanka Dua, founder of Custom Cakes by Ria, located in Calgary, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are Sweet Surrender. An out-of-home bakery that is bringing the “wow” to cakes in Calgary! For us, every occasion is an excuse to have cake, and that’s where we specialize. We offer custom cakes of any size or shape one can imagine. At Sweet Surrender, It’s not about the scale of an event it’s about people. People are coming together to celebrate something beautiful.
Tell us about yourself
Sweet surrender is an ode to my mother. She is the reason why I know how to bake and why I wanted to bake in the first place. As a child, I watched her create beautiful cakes for us when we were little. When I moved to Canada a few years ago, my passion for creating custom cakes came alive when I started baking for friends and family. That’s where Sweet Surrender began. As a cake artist, I’ve learned to channel my creativity and eye for detail to create something sweet that brings joy to others. When it comes to cake decorating, I love a good challenge. Every customer is a chance for me to try something new. Be it techniques, flavors, or the look of the final cake.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I feel the biggest accomplishment for me is a customer's face lighting up seeing their cake for the first time and their feedback after. No matter how many cakes you make, every time a customer comes to pick up their cake, it feels like the first time. Seeing them getting so excited about cakes makes me feel proud of what I do.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
As a business owner, you know your product and the hard work you put into creating it. Sometimes it’s a challenge to convince a customer to trust your vision understand the difference between a custom product versus a regular product and its cost. Because there will always be someone who can do it for less, but by educating your customers about the same, they can make informed decisions, and you as a business owner can gain a loyal customer.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- I think the hardest thing to do is putting yourself out there. We have to remember that there will never be a “perfect time” to start. There will never be a time when you think you have attained all the skills. So, just go for it!
- Learn something new. There’s always something out there that can help you get better. So, take that course, read that book, ask for help.
- Challenge yourself. Stretch your boundaries. If something scares you, don’t run from it. Face it. Learn from it. Conquer it. Be the boss of it.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
As a small business owner, I urge everyone to support businesses that are trying to bring quality and uniqueness to our community.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.customcakesbyria.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetsurrenderyyc/
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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