Baker shares his recipe for success
“Don’t be afraid of doing something you have never seen anyone else do. In fact, look for something that will set you apart.”
Young entrepreneur Ayanda Caka says quitting his job was one of the best decisions he ever made.
“You need to go all in, head first, if you want it to work,” says Ayanda.
After dropping out of his sound engineering qualification and working in sales for years, Ayanda says he knew he had to make major changes in his life.
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He started selling snacks and kota while working at his previous job.
“As soon as I started baking and added that to my inventory, my business took a turn.
“That is when I decided that if I ever started a business, this would be it.”
The 34-year-old baker then quit his day job in 2014.
“Problem is that most of us don’t want to leave our comfort zones.
“We want to hold on to what we are used to, even if it is misery.”
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Ayanda says even after taking such drastic steps to build his business, many doubts remained.
“I found premises to open my shop, but I kept postponing the opening.
“Until one day my mother commanded me to open the next day, which I did.”
He says the support of his family kept him going.
“I did not expect that so many people would want to get their hands dirty in pursuit of my dream.”
Ayanda believes two of the main ingredients of running a successful business are consistency and being unique.
“Don’t be afraid of doing something you have never seen anyone else do.
“In fact, look for something that will set you apart.”
He says one should stay loyal to providing the best service, even when you don’t feel like it.
“Your clients have expectations – you should meet them or do better.
“But once you start, don’t ever drop the ball,” he adds.
