A SMALL business doesn’t become a success overnight. A business needs to be pushed to its success.
These were the words of Njabulo Sithole. He owns Bakers Creationz, a successful bakery in Maphephetheni, KZN.
They bake generic and customised cakes, muffins and their signature special coconut-coated snowballs. They also stock major Mzansi retailers.
Sithole said some challenges he faced before he became successful included growing up in a disadvantaged area.
He said people believed that big dreams were not possible. The people could only be employees but never employers.
After earning his diploma in business management and marketing, Njabulo took the opportunity to work in the United Kingdom. In London, he moved in with fellow South Africans and shared cooking duties. That’s when he discovered his passion.
“After the first week, I was obsessed with cooking. After the first month, I was the best cook in the house.”
After he returned to Mzansi he worked at Woolworths and Mpilende Foods.
“If someone gives you an opportunity, you must grab it with both hands. If someone trusts you, you need to do more than was asked of you.”
Bakers Creationz started with a business plan but its rural location didn’t appeal to potential funders.
So Sithole first got his son to sell cupcakes and then recruited schoolchildren to sell his cakes for R2 each at a 50c commission. Soon he got large orders for custom cakes for school functions and other events – the start of his bakery business.
“We believe in quantity and quality. We keep our production standards high and keep to all the food safety regulations.”
