POLOKWANE – Marienkie Malema, a 33-year-old entrepreneur from Madiba Park in Seshego, has turned her lifelong passion for baking into a thriving business by opening her own bakery, Marinky’s Sweet Bakes.
Marienkie discovered her love for baking at a young age, frequently baking after her shifts at the bank. She would whip up buckets of muffins and scones, which her mother sold at school. “I used to post my creations on Facebook, and my followers often asked if I was selling them. This motivated me to start my business,” she told BONUS.
On March 1, 2018, she officially launched her home baking venture.
At Marinky’s Sweet Bakes, Marienkie specialises in cakes for weddings, birthdays, and various other occasions. In addition to cakes, she bakes cupcakes, scones, muffins, and biscuits, and has recently added personalised chocolates and party packs to her offerings.
Currently, Marienkie manages the business alone, which presents various challenges, including juggling baking, cleaning, content creation, administration and finances. “It can be overwhelming, but loving what you do helps ease the load,” she said.
Her first big wedding cake order proved to be the most challenging task she faced early in her business journey. Despite the stress, she successfully delivered the cake, and the client was thrilled.
Marienkie encourages aspiring bakers to embrace the learning process.
“Practice makes perfect. Keep baking and experiment with different recipes until you find what works for you. What works for me might not work for you, so be patient and kind to yourself – it’s all part of the journey,” is her advice.
