“Follow your passion” is one of the pieces of advice that most people get when they ask for tips to succeed in business.
Carol Musyoka, a passionate baker who founded Cherry Cakes Kenya in 2011, says that passion is not enough as it won’t run your business. “It should be enough, but you need to learn, to put yourself out there, to understand your business, to work with people and to know how to build your business.”
She talked to Hustle East Africa about the challenges that women face when growing their businesses, her work life balance and first hand tips on launching a thriving enterprise. Excerpts.
What makes you stand out?
When I sit with customers, I like to listen to what they have in mind and to translate it into a cake.
I have unique flavors. I bake many kinds of cakes, from dairyfree, sugar-free, to gluten-free cakes.
I also like mixing things so most of my cakes are hard to replicate.
What inspires you to keep going?
My babies. I do this for them. I never want them to lack anything.
I also get inspired when a customer appreciates my work.
Did school prepare you to be an entrepreneur?
No. I did tourism management. The whole time I was taught how to manage wildlife. When it came to business, I had to dig for information. I enrolled for a short course on personal and business finance and this opened my world.
Have you transitioned from self employment to entrepreneurship?
Yes. I have employees and I have learnt to let go. Once I learned that I wasn’t the only one who could do this, I delegated various aspects of my work, including accounting, sales, marketing, and delivery.
There’s also the challenge of separating business finances from personal finances. It was a huge challenge back then, but I have managed to overcome it.
What makes women shy away from business?
Most women that are around me are in business. People I interact with aren’t afraid to venture into business. I don’t see why women should fear to venture into business.
How did employment prepare you to be an entrepreneur?
As an intern in one of the tour companies, I used to manage their accounts and the office. I learned how to create a good environment for employees as well as how to create relationships with clients.
Employment also taught me to be disciplined. When you’re working for yourself, you tend to procrastinate a lot. Employment teaches you how to manage your time well. All these skills helped me to manage and run my business in a professional way.
How do you unwind?
I spend my weekends around family and friends.
What’s the benefit of separating your time to have enough for work and for family?
People will always need cakes, and business will be there, but you need time to love your family. If you don’t give your family time, you lose it.
The last book that you read?
“I’m Too Pretty To Be Broke and Other Lies You’ve Been Telling Yourself” by Joan Thatiah
