Bau Rd in Tailevu, with all its simplicity, farm lots and laid back lifestyle, is not the place where you’d expect to find a cake and pastry business. But Artika and Sam Chand are proof that when the heart is willing, possibilities become endless.
The husband and wife team operates a small but steadily growing pastry business from their Kuku home.
It all started when COVID-19 struck the world and Artika, a pastry chef , was told she had been laid off. “I was not the only one but I was worried nevertheless,” she says..
“I had worked hard for over 15 years and suddenly I was jobless. It was a dreadful moment.”
But in between her acute disappointment and figuring out how to spend time at home, she quickly found her muse – baking. Prior to the pandemic, she had worked in the Cook Islands and in various resorts in the West, on the back of her certificates in commercial cookery, baking and pastry. While baking wasn’t a new frontier, running it as a business was a strange territory for the 36-year-old.
“Relatives and friends would come home during the pandemic and I’d make them muffins and cakes to share over tea or coffee.”
“Their feedback was overwhelming so my husband and I decided to try out selling cakes, from home.”
After some promotion on social media and a few custom-made orders, the couple knew there was no looking back.
“In fact, it was always my dream to one day open up my own pastry shop,” says Artika.
“I just didn’t know when. Once we figured out we had a customer base, we knew the time was right.”
Now, a few years after the crisis, Chand’s Cakes & Pastry is wowing pastry lovers within the Suva- Nausori corridor, and beyond, with cakes for all occasions – from weddings and birthdays to anniversaries and celebratory events.
“We do cakes for all occasions basically,” Artika says.
“We know the prices of some cakes can be very high. Together with the recent hike in food prices and fuel, they have all hit the ceiling. That’s why we try to be reasonable with our prices.”
Tiramisu, cheesecakes, black and white forests, mousse cake, gateaux and any other toothsome pastries you can think of, can be made to suit your budget.
Husband, Sam was a taxi driver, so after the couple transitioned into the cake business, he took over the delivery job.
The couple does free home deliveries depending on spend and location. The busiest time of the week is between Thursdays and Sundays so it is important to place orders in advance.
“On a very busy day like Saturday, we start work on Friday and continue until early Saturday morning,” Sam says.
“Sundays are also busy because many families order cakes for lunch desserts and want them delivered straight after church.”
As business rolls out and Artika continues to learn the rope of her business, the couple is on planning mode. And a coffee and cake shop is on the horizon.
“Part of our expansion plan is to open up a coffee shop in towm where we’d sell out cakes and take orders,” Artika says.
“I believe there’s nothing that can come in the way if you put your mind on it and work hard.”
As an advice to aspiring young and women entrepreneurs, she says one has got to trust in instincts.
“Just believe in yourself, keep trying and don’t lose hope,” she adds.
“Some people will envy you and try to bring you down but don’t focus on them.”
“There’s always family and friends that can support and encourage you. Focus on your goal and you’ll be okay.”
Sam’s Cakes & pastries also does gift hampers for special occasions such as Father’s and Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Easter et cetera.
They have a variety of cake designs to choose from and do custom designs too. Like many startups, Sam’s Cakes and Pastry have their teething moments.
The business needs proper refrigeration and better access to baking implements. But the Chands seem like survivors.
They may be new kids on the block but with ambition and drive, there’s nothing that will stop them.
- Contact Name: Sam’s Cakes and Pastry
- Location: Kuku, Bau Road, Nausori
- Mobile: 9147911/7244203
- email:samscakes@icloud.com
