A Chat With
A Chat with Cakes by Ray CEO and Founder Racheal Thande
The Baking Engineer: Racheal Thande has a moment to talk about her sweet treats; and successfully running her cake store: Cakes by Ray.
Who is Rachel Thande?
Rachael is a God-fearing 24-year-old, daughter to Mr.&Mrs. Thande, a sibling to Elsie and Newton. I am a student pursuing Electrical Engineering and Business Management and to add spice to it; Racheal is the C.E.O of Cakes by Ray. I call myself the Baking Engineer. In my other life, I am a fancied friend, a member of the sanity community and a Rotaracter.
- Where was the company Cakes by Ray birth from?
Cakes by Ray was birthed from Newton’s Cakes House Ltd. This is my mother’s company located in Kikuyu. The company deals with the commercial production and sale of cakes, cookies and sweet mandazi
- When did you kickstart your business?
My business began in 2021 the month of August. When people were recovering from the Covid crisis, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life apart from school.
- What inspired you to start Cakes by Ray?
The urge to be an independent woman has always been my # 1 motivation. The biggest lesson my parents always teach me is not to be dependent on anyone else apart from them. I wanted to start a side hustle while I was still in school to cater for my upkeep. Once in a while, I had other options but baking just fit right cause these are skills I got first-hand and decided to put them into use.
” Cakes by Ray is made of love, happiness and passion…”
- Tell us about your baking background and experience.
My baking background and experience wow… My mum is among the prestigious bakers in Kikuyu town at the moment. She began her business in 2012. At this time I was still in primary school so what would happen; I would always be at her shop when we closed for the holidays. I honestly had no break during the holidays. At that time it never made sense to me. Often I would ask why my mum was bounding me to her business and not letting me enjoy my teenage life like the rest. I began as a salesperson and slowly she began to teach me how to bake her products. We used to have so many rejects by then. I would either set the wrong temperature causing the cakes to burn or forget to put baking powder and we would do ugali instead.
So after learning baking she now taught me how to do decor and art on cakes. This was a whole other journey but I am grateful for her patience with me. With time I was the one inducting and training her employees (This was in high school). To date, that’s what I do when I’m on break from school.
- What sets your baked goods apart from others?
My secret recipe is spice and love. I am in a committed relationship with my flour,
sugar and butter
How do you source your ingredients?
I source my ingredients from shops in the city and Kikuyu town that is cake shops and wholesales. I will either buy my materials in bulk or as per order depending on the cash flow. It’s pretty much easier buying raw materials in bulk. It saves a few coins.
- Give us perspective on the Kenyan baking industry, how is it?
The Kenyan baking industry is quite competitive honestly. Almost every young lady is doing this. Getting your own market is a lot cause people out here have
skills. The question is what do I bring to the table? They come to me with a cake inspo and ask if I can deliver. This is what builds our market. You deliver the cake as per the client’s request and once you nail that, the market has just expanded.
”It’s an industry I never regret getting into”
As a young person, how is it being a CEO and running your own business?
It’s the best experience ever. It takes determination, a whole load of patience and consistency. I wouldn’t say it’s been easy neither would I say it’s been tough. It is a whole journey, it evolves: a learning process
- Walk us through your normal day as a baker.
Since 2021 I have been in a sport. Honestly, this is a whole sport on its own. My life has never been at a stop cause I am always on the go. If I am not in school then I am at work. If I’m not in either of those I serve in church and the community. How I balance all this, honestly, is something I have never understood. My best answer would be once God opens that door for you and gives you an opportunity He will always provide on how to handle it.
- What are some of your signature or most popular baked items?
My clients love themselves a bit of Bubblegum Cake, Pinacolada, Lemon mint and
Chocolate mint. Cupcakes were my signature products but my market grew. Now I do cakes from 1kg onwards and as time goes I will get to introduce something new
- How do you stay creative and come up with new recipes?
Have y’all heard of Pinterest… this is the best app I have used in a long while. This gets me to be creative and innovative all the time . It’s the go-to-app before I do decor on a cake, it helps me get an idea of what a client might like on the cake too. I’d prefer Pinterest to YouTube
- How do you manage your team and company as the CEO?
I create a connection with my people. Once you have a solid relationship with your team. They are more than ready to be productive cause these are the people who have built this
business..they have made this company to be seen out there.
- How do you balance running a business with other aspects of your life, such as school or personal interests?
Since 2021 I have been in a sport. Honestly, this is a whole sport on its own. My life has never been at a stop cause I am always on the go. If I am not in school then I am at work. If I’m not in either of those I serve in church and the community. How I balance all this, honestly, is something I have never understood. My best answer would be once God
opens that door for you and gives you an opportunity He will always provide on how to handle it
Have you faced any stereotypes or biases as a young female entrepreneur, and if so, how have you addressed them?
As a young entrepreneur not really but as a lady in engineering, I get it all the time. What made people think that ladies can’t wear and overall, hold pliers and get to work ? We are here for an end goal and that’s building our future. In this times , we have ladies who are not afraid to put all their effort and skills out there. I am one of them. I am proud of each and every lady trying to make a living and future for themselves
- How do you handle trolls and negativity Racheal?
Racheal handles no negative attitude. I do not tolerate this energy. However, it’s
something I get once in a while. Not everyone is a supporter of my achievements. What guides me is love and passion for what I do and getting to understand that what I am doing is for me and not anyone else. I get to choose whether I will brush off the negativity or have that energy in me and I definitely tell myself to wake up and try again
- A major highlight in your business?
Wow!! This needs a minute…I have always wanted to give back to the society. I’m always on my knees telling God to thank you for how far this business has come because through this business I have learned to give. Second, I have learned to support and share. There’s so much I’d say about business highlights but this has to be a partnership in charity events. My highlight is seeing the smile on
the beautiful faces of those we go to love and give to.
- What keeps you going?
Prayer, determination and patience.