Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Victoria Marmet, founder of Victoria's Cake, located in Westfield, NJ.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Victoria's Cake is a New Jersey-based boutique bakery offering a variety of homemade viennoiseries, cupcakes, macaroons, pound cakes, and layer cakes as well as beverages in a modern Parisian atmosphere. We combine French pastries and American baking to create the best of both worlds. My bakery is decorated like a very girly and cozy Parisian cafe. My customers are almost everyone who loves sweets. Everyone is welcome at Victoria's Cake to grab a coffee and go or enjoy a cupcake in our seating area with friends, we want you to feel at home!
Tell us about yourself
When I graduated from interior design school in 2020, I asked myself "what do you truly want to do?" and that was a very big question for me. I didn't want to work at a desk all day and I wanted to be passionate about what I do. So I figured what my passions are and it was baking and design.
This is when I came up with the idea of creating a design bakery with great decor and pastries that will match this same decor. That's why my pastries look like flowers, because almost all my bakery is decorated with flowers. What motivates me? I want to make people happy! I love when my customers comes after a long day and seat at a table, enjoy some treats and leaves with a big smile because it was delicious and they relaxed. I love when we make a special occasion even more special because we created custom cake or treats for their special events.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Honestly, opening and having my own business at only 21 years old. Some people my age are still studying or figuring out what they want to do and I respect that of course, everyone is different. But I do am proud of myself because I wanted it and now I have it! And of course, having so much positive feedback on my business makes me extremely happy!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Managing everything on your own. I work with my mom and thanks to God she is here to help me because I couldn't do everything by myself. Some people don't understand how much work it is to own a business. First, I had to find a location, employee, equipment, permits... Then you have to manage all your orders, inventory, packaging. You also have to take care of social media, website, and marketing. All of this is hard when we are only 2 people running the business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Listen to yourself and to your guts! You have a vision, you know what you want, and never let anyone discourage you! Pieces of Advice are always welcome but never let anyone tell you this is a bad idea, you are too young, you don't have any experiences, blah, blah, blah. You will only be successful if you believe in yourself!
Also, get informed, read books, watch shows, listen to podcasts, educate yourself. This is the way to learn everything you might not know before and this is how you can learn skills that might be helpful one day.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Victoria's Cake is now offering baking classes every month. So do not hesitate to check our socials and website to see all the new things we do!
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.victoriascakeofficial.com
https://www.instagram.com/victoriascakeofficial/
https://www.facebook.com/victoriascakeofficial
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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