There’s a saying, when you have passion for something the sky’s the limit. At 16, Clarissa, a young entrepreneur from Selangor, is proving that age has no barrier to follow your dreams. With a strong passion for baking and an entrepreneurial spirit at such a young age, Clarissa built her own baking business online, ’Clacakes’. Starting from a simple school project to a growing entrepreneur, her journey is nothing short but inspiring.
Discovering The Love For Culinary Arts
Clarissa’s love for baking began in her family kitchen, a place where she spent endless hours helping her mom prepare meals.
“I had always loved working in the kitchen”, said Clarissa, ” from washing and cutting vegetables or stirring the pot, that eventually blossomed into experimenting on my own and discovering my passion for the culinary arts”
Clarissa’s interest in culinary and baking became more passionate when she joined her school’s cooking and baking club in Year 4. That environment gave her the opportunity to build her skills and even rise to a leadership role with her friend Treisha in Year 6. These early experience played a huge impact for her to start her own business.
A Simple School Project Turned Big Dream
‘Clacakes’ started as a school project, where students were required to create a brand and develop a business plan. And just as that naturally, Clarissa’s passion for baking became the centerpiece of her project. And just right on time, her mom sent her a Brownie recipe on Instagram, so then Clarissa decided to make her first ever product, a ‘Brownie’. From that moment it blossomed her into selling Brownies to her family and friends.
“Since I loved the culinary arts, it was set to build a brand about selling food. Eventually I settled on the name “clacakes”. Derived from the first 3 letters of my name + cake”
Encouraged by her family and friends support, Clarissa decided to take the leap into running a small business. Her journey was far from a smooth road. At such young age, balancing school and baking was a huge challenge, and Clarissa had to put her business on hold during her IGCSE exams. Yet she refused to let this setback restrain her from anything.
“Once the exams were over, I was quite bored, having honestly no clue on what to do for college. It was a tough year. The idea of having a stall at a bazaar came up one day in a conversation with my mom so I took to Facebook! I signed up for the first bazaar ad I saw.
That moment when she took that decision it became a turning point. The bazaar they signed up for did not just boost her confidence but also expanded her business to include cakes and pastries to be sold online.
Overcoming Challenges As A Young Entrepreneur
Running any business is never a easy road, and just as that for Clarissa, managing everything on her own has been one of the biggest challenges.
I handle almost everything by myself, planning and the baking obviously. The only help I get is from my mom who helps with driving and funding ingredients, even the last minute orders! It tends to be quite stressful and exhausting but I power through!
Despite all the long hours and last minute orders, Clarissa remained motivated as her future and growing her brand was all that was running in her heart and mind. So that kept pushing her to keep going. Her ability to innovate recipes played a key role to her success. For recipes, she often does experiments with techniques she finds from online, adapting them to suit her taste and adding a personal touch.
We all know, that for this generation social media plays a important role for any type of business. When it comes down to promoting and selling online, that’s the only place where you can grow it to a higher place. Just as that for Clarissa it was not a exception. Although she is still learning the ropes, she sees it as an essential tool for her to reach more customers.
“Right now, I’m still new to social media accounts for a business, it’s completely different than using it for a personal one! It has definitely given me insight to the market and allows me to expand my brand while connecting with new people.”
Clarissa definitely recognizes the potential of social media and is excited to see the possibilities it offers. With more experience, she believes it can be better in connecting with her audience and expand her business.
Her Pillars Of Support System
In her interview, Clarissa shared success wouldn’t have been possible without her family, especially her mother who has been a source of encouragement. From funding ingredients to driving her to bazaars, her mother plated a important role in pushing Clarissa to follow and find her dreams.
My mom. She is incredible.The strongest woman I know. She truly is the greatest and I love her to the moon and back.
She also credits her cousins, and aunt for stepping in when she needed extra help at bazaars and her uncle for supporting her by paying for a cake decorating course.
The Advantage Of Being A Young Entrepreneur
We have thousands of entrepreneur in the world but how being a young entrepreneur comes with unique benefits. Clarissa shared her thoughts on it,
“People tend to support younger people and it’s definitely an impressive accomplishment and icebreaker for conversations”
Most importantly, her being young gives her a fresh and new perspective. It allows her to approach anything including the challenges with creativity and a open mind, a important trait that has changed her in shaping the business.
Dreaming Big For Future
Being 16 years old now, Clarissa is still figuring out her long term plans, she dreams on opening her own bakery one day.
“Honestly? I have no clue. But isn’t that exciting!! Now knowing what the future holds. Although I definitely would love to open a bakery someday, it’s a big dream of mine.”
Through this entrepreneurial journey she just started, Clarissa has discovered a confidence in herself.
“I can do it, its a four word phrase but it means a lot to me.”
Starting her small business has pushed Clarissa out of her comfort zone, teaching her to take risk and embrace challenges. Either from baking and packing to marketing her products, everything of her business showcases her hard work and determination.
When asked what is her advice to other youngsters who dreams to open up a business. Clarissa said,
“Go for it! Don’t think, genuinely, just do it. My entire brand started with just a random thought one afternoon and signing up from an ad I saw on Facebook. I got to meet wonderful people and grab opportunities I never knew I would have been able to. Have faith in yourself and all your hard work will pay off.”
Supporting the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Clarissa believes that society has played a important role in nurturing young entrepreneurs. She says the way they could help more younger entrepreneurs is by spreading the word, recommending young entrepreneurs as the first option in anything.
Our young people today will be building the society of tomorrow. It is important to support them on their journeys.
As Clarissa continues to grow her baking business, she stands as an example that you can start a business and follow your passion at any age, even if you are 16. With passion, creativity and determination, her journey reminds us that no dream is to big or too early to chase. We hope Clarissa catches more stars as she continues her journey!
Contact Clacakes Bakery and Place Your Orders For Any Special Occasions or Even As Treat For Yourself!
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