THE SHE FACTOR: Baking up a storm never felt so calm

Dubai - Inspiration has always been there for Mehvish Shoaib Shahzad

Persistence pays off, and it did so in many folds back to Mehvish Shoaib Shahzad, founder, owner and baker at Mev Bakes Café & Bake Shop. The mother of two is busy juggling her family and her career while maintaining her entrepreneurial balance.
"It is very exciting that now, in 2018, I am doing quality customised fondant cakes, cupcakes, cookies and cake pops for clients and companies alike. I've been baking for four years and have earned many customers and an overwhelming amount of respect from them. Thanks to my amazing cake clients, today I am able to run a small scale successful licensed business," said Mehvish.
"Ever since I was small I'd watch my mum in the kitchen, cooking and baking. I would be amazed at the love and attention she put through to make the ingredients work together and create something delicious. I loved cooking, especially baking with my mother and this is what brought out a passion in me to bake. I'd spend all my free time mixing up brownies and cupcakes for the family and would be so ecstatic when they showered me with compliments on how good everything was."
Growing up, Mehvish, who is from Pakistan, was caught up in the race to succeed and to pursue more reasonable paths. Since she had completed her MBA in human resources, she started working as an HR coordinator at the esteemed Galadari Group and then later as an HR executive at the Canadian Specialist Hospital.
She attributes her success to her husband, who encouraged her post her wedding and two boys. "I got married and had kids and was going about my monotonous life when my better half encouraged me to once more follow the dream of baking. My first-ever professional cake was baked for my mum's birthday and it was special. After this my husband made a Facebook page for me and added some pictures of the cakes I'd baked for friends and family and that was the beginning of all great things."
"This was in 2014 and once I started advertising on my page, I started getting paid orders from friends, family and new cake clients to do their cakes. Armed with my family's countless blessings, I gave it a go," she added.
Starting a venture was easy for Mehvish, but she did encounter initial challenges, particularly to come up to customer's demand or expectations. "Initially, when I started getting orders from new people, it was all very stressful. I would sometimes take on a cake that I would later panic about, thinking that there was no way I'd be able to make it as the design was too difficult. But my husband and family always encouraged me and said I could do it. So I'd put my heart and soul into it and it would become a reality," she said.
Mehvish feels very strongly about women stepping out of their comfort zones and pursuing a career in this male-dominated business world. According to her it is definitely harder for women since they are stereotyped as homemakers and child-bearers. She firmly believes women can do wonders in the business world and can stand as equals to men and do even better than them in some cases.
"I support and encourage women entrepreneurs to do their thing and succeed. It makes me proud whenever I see a successful businesswoman." Mehvish says her only real struggle is to manage her family and her business at the same time.
"Giving time to my boys and my husband, visiting my parents and friends all becomes very difficult but with the help of my supporting family, I am able to somehow balance everything."
Mehvish advises that "making to-do lists is essential". Every day should be planned and worked out accordingly.
"My time is managed in slots. Whether it is baking my cakes, frosting them or working out their designs, everything is done in segments. All my cakes and bakes are works of art that need time and concentration. My typical day starts with the whole school run early morning. Then it's a hurried breakfast and I'm off the café with the orders of the day. I shuffle back and forth several times to maintain smooth-sailing day. Evenings are reserved for some much needed family time, then once the kids are fed and put to bed it's time for another round of cake decorating and planning for the next day," said Mehvish.
The leader of an all-women team does do monthly Facebook marketing and distributes brochures to stay in the market loop.
"Perseverance is the key. Hard work and commitment will make you succeed. Never give up and give it your all. That's the advice I'd give to everyone out there trying to accomplish something," Mehvish concludes.
 
Speaking from experience: Tips to succeed
DO'S:
. Keep your customers happy. Learn to be flexible and give honest advice to your customers with regards to what will be best for them
. Always remember your business ethics
. You need to have a social media page in this day and age to promote and publish yourself into the market
. A catchy name for your business is always essential. Mev Bakes for is both short and catchy. Plus, get a logo to match and you are good to go. Anything that is attractive to the eye is bound to get a second look
. Take good pictures of your cakes after you've finished making them and post it on social media
. Try and get actively involved in baking events and promotions to get noticed
 
DON'TS
. Don't expect to become a successful business overnight. Everything takes time; be patient
. Try to match your prices to the market. Don't be too low or too high
. Don't be disappointed if your first customers are friends and family. Always remember that word-of-mouth is one of the best marketing tools out there, so use it. Tell your family and friends to spread the word
- sandhya@khaleejtimes.com