Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cera Rivers, founder of Fairy Cakes, located in Vancouver, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Fairy Cakes is a bakery for people who have dietary restrictions. Our kitchen is free of dairy, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts. Everything is 100% vegan. We also offer gluten-free options. Using as many organic ingredients as possible, Fairy Cakes is for everyone who loves delicious baked goods!
Tell us about yourself
As a vegan, my options for good baking were very limited. I started baking and with the encouragement of friends and family started a vegan cupcake shop. Being vegan and knowing how it felt to show up at a function or party with no food options I could eat, I wanted to make my foods as accessible as possible. Memories of the girl in my elementary school class showing up to parties with a bag of grapes due to her allergies still haunts me.
So in addition to being a vegan shop, I also wanted to be nut and peanut-free. When I first started the bakery I was strictly cupcakes and I had no experience with cakes at all. With a growing demand for cakes, I jumped in and haven't looked back since. I don't have set designs so the decorating possibilities are endless, which means I never get bored with cakes and have a new creative outlet every day. I love my job and I'm wee bit biased but I also think I have the best customers!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I can't help but laugh at this question. These days, being a small local food business, my biggest accomplishment is just staying alive during COVID. There are not a lot of parties going on these days so all my orders are fairly small. I'm very grateful to have such supportive customers that go out of their way to support what I do. I am very proud of the reputation that Fairy Cakes has made for itself.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Nothing is guaranteed. Things are always changing and you have to keep up with all those changes. And nobody warns you how personal it becomes. When you own a business, you can't leave work at work. It will always come home with you and it will always be a priority.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Love what you do! This business will become your life so you better enjoy it!
- Do your research! Talk to other business owners in your field. Visit your competition and see what they do well and what you'd improve on. Get honest feedback about your product/service.
- Start small with the potential to grow! Don't take on more than you can handle at once but don't lock yourself into a lease/contract that doesn't allow for growth a few years down the road.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.fairycakescupcakes.ca
https://www.instagram.com/fairycakesvancouver/
http://twitter.com/FairyCakes_YUMM
https://www.facebook.com/FairyCakesVan
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.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
