Lois | Founder of Lois Caked it
My name is Lois. I'm 23 years old and I own Lois Caked It.
2. What made you take the leap to start your business?
To put it simply, I turned my hobby into a business. I always enjoyed baking and had been fascinated by cake decorating videos for many years. However, I had had little practice with cake decorating because I preferred making cupcakes and piping swirls on them.
During the first lockdown last year, I was placed on furlough while I was finishing the last semester of my degree. Not too long after being placed on furlough, I was informed that my workplace was closing and I was being let go. I had just graduated from uni and I was searching and applying for jobs, but I wasn't having much luck. I had baked a cake for a friend in January and so I had some new baking equipment and because of lockdown; I had plenty of time to use it. I decided to bake a cake for my birthday and then a couple more for some friends.
I started posting pictures and videos of my bakes on my Instagram and as they started to gain traction, my friends encouraged me to start a separate page. I created another Instagram account as a blog to show off my bakes, but as I gained followers; I had people messaging my page and looking to buy my bakes even though I wasn't a business! I soon realised that my Instagram allowed my work to be seen by potential clients.
They were stumbling upon my page and wanting to buy cakes and cupcakes from me! Friends of friends who tried my bakes were messaging and enquiring, but I was turning them away because I didn't think I could run a business.
I was holding myself back because of my insecurity. In short, I didn't believe that my cakes were good enough to sell. Fortunately, I am surrounded by a great community of friends and family who encouraged me to take a chance. I decided to register the business to make it official, and the rest is history!
3. What advice do you have for anyone taking the leap to turn a passion into a business
My advice for anyone looking to turn their passion into a business is to just start. I think there are people out there with amazing talents that could be turned into profitable businesses but they are often their own worst enemy.
If you're waiting for everything to fall into place before you start your business, that time may never come. Start where you are and with what you have. Harness the power of social media and make sure that you are showcasing your product/service to your audience regularly. If your product/service can solve a particular problem for your ideal client, make sure that you're telling them about it! You may not be perfect when you start, but you can grow as you go because running your own business is a journey. It is so rewarding!
4. What does joyful living mean to you ?