Teeteetah Cakes

TEETEETAH CAKES “I get my pleasure in creating masterpieces, making my customers forget where they are when eating my cakes”. Hadizah I met an interesting lady at a seminar a few weeks ago and the issue of entrepreneurship and the need for better managed businesses came up, we simply hit it off. We exchanged business cards and Pins. When I decided to start my articles on home based businesses I automatically thought of her despite my sheet long list of ladies I have wanted to interview for ages. I asked her to send me pictures of her cakes; I saw the pictures and fell in love despite my intention to diet. This is Hadizah’s story. “My name is Hadizah Abdurrahman-Yazid, I am happily married with two children. My business Teeteetah is based in my home in Kabala Costain, Kaduna. I bake cakes for a living, all kinds of cakes; cakes for different occasions. I also run a catering service, do bridal make up, event planning and management. I have been baking professionally for four years.” Hadizah studied International relations in A.B.U Zaria, and is a graduate of BUK where she studied accounting. In her words; “I worked for about two years in the insurance arm of Bank PHB but I was unable to cope with targets and other stuff, I was retrenched when they were downsizing. I have always loved cooking but I fell in love with cake making when I visited my aunt as a child, I didn’t know cakes could be made at home at the time so I set out to learn. As a home economics student I learnt how to bake well and kept on baking at home for my family and friends over the years.” Do you miss formal employment? “No way, I chart my own course and any work I do is for me no one else no boss no salary, my salary depends on my personal effort.” Is cake making your first attempt at home business? “No, I have tried different businesses like making up friends faces, liquid soap production and liquid room freshner but stopped production in commercial quantities due to lack of NAFDAC registration. I only make a little for domestic use now.” What made you turn to cake making? “My husband actually suggested I take my baking seriously and I met a decorator who had a school where decorating, pastries, baking, event management and planning classes were taught. The training cost was 25.000 Naira but over time with buying of materials it cost almost 100,000 Naira before we finished. I was ahead of my classmates in baking and I probably just polished my decorating skills in that class. My plan at that time was to go into pastries; sandwiches, pizzas, pies etc but I later decided to make cakes my signature product.” You have an interesting business name, what’s the story behind the name? “The name Teeteetah is how my son Amir called his sister Ummita when he was a toddler so I use it as my business name.” Do you have a large staff? “No, for assistance I have two house helps that help me in the house and in my business they help me in the baking”. How frequently do you get orders? “I once spent two weeks without a single order but the most I’ve done is six cakes in one single day, Most of my customers are my friends or friends of friends.” What are the major challenges you’ve faced? “The disadvantage of your friends being your primary customers is lack of payment and delayed payment. My advice for anyone who wants to have a home business is to take their business serious, draw a line between personal relationships and getting paid for their goods and services.” Apart from the training what ten things cant you do without in your business? “The most important equipment I use are ;an oven, cake mixer, baking pans, piping bags, stencils, spoons, mixing bowl, egg whisk, napkins there are so many other things without which I wouldn’t be able to work well.” Is the cake making and catering business competitive? “Yes it is highly competitive .It is not a job for lazy people and those that lack imagination. To carve a niche for yourself you need to make the taste of your products excellent that is my own signature the taste. Another key aspect is appearance, looking good is good business. The cake maker needs to be an artist and a scientist at the same time. Quality and hygiene are of great importance I never compromise on those points. To get to where I am today I made a lot of sacrifices; in terms of time money and ingredients, carried out several experiments taught myself. Made myself, family and friends guinea pigs to try out different flavors, consistencies etc. I also don’t cut corners I would rather not do a job than do a bad job or sloppy job. I don’t believe in ‘managing ‘my ingredients, if I don’t have enough time and resources I don’t even try.” Do you have a cake makers association? How do you relate to each other? “We don’t have a union but we know each other or know of each other. We get along quite well.” What new marketing strategies are you using? “I currently have fliers and business cards to promote my business.” Have you tried using the internet and social media? “Yes, but I intend to use them more now”. How has the business grown? “The business has grown over the years and brings in a decent income and gives me flexibility to take care of my family and other interests. Very soon I will start trainings for those interested in the cake making business I already have a set of six people waiting for me to set up the training package. My trainings will be customized and I may partner with others to make it a bigger success”. Advice for budding entrepreneurs: Don’t be afraid to try different things but choose what you are most comfortable with. Then put your mark on it by making it better than others around”. Teeteetah limited Cakes –Event solutions –Bridal makeover- Accessories- Consulting /Training Phone no’s 08083124444/08099605815. www.teeteetah.com