How Kemunto Ogeto baked her way into cake business
What you need to know:
- She was not only armed with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, but she was also qualified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K).
- She opened a shop near White House trading centre on the outskirts of Nakuru Town, starting with Sh3,000 equipment.
Never in her wildest dreams did it occur to her that once she cleared her studies at the University of Nairobi School of Business she will end up baking cakes.
After all there was no baking course unit in the Bachelor of Commerce (finance option) degree that 33-year-old Jackline Kemunto Ogeto was pursuing.
But to ensure that she prepares herself well for a soft landing as an auditor in the competitive job market, Jackeline studied accounts and at the end of her four-year course.
She was not only armed with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, but she was also qualified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K).
She graduated in 2010 and started in earnest knocking on the doors of potential employers in vain.
In 2014, the mother of two opted to reignite her primary school passion for baking.
“I started small by baking cakes at home on order for friends and neighbours birthdays,” she says.
GROWTH
After making her first cake, she started receiving orders and as demand increased, she could not continue baking at home.
She opened a shop near White House trading centre on the outskirts of Nakuru Town, starting with Sh3,000 equipment.
Today, the list of equipment in her one room bakery shop christened Jacqz Yummiest Cakes is worth more than Sh500,000.
Depending on flavour and the weight, a 1kg birthday cake goes for Sh1,700. “I have graduated from small-time birthday cake and today I have clients who pay me Sh60,000 for a wedding cake,” Ms Ogeto explains.
In a good month, she makes at least 80 pieces ranging from a minimum of Sh1,700 to a maximum of Sh6,000.
PATIENCE
She is a specialist in baking corporate cakes and her top clients include Kenya Commercial Bank, Housing Finance, Robinson Investment, Reliable Concrete Works, top doctors and lawyers in Nakuru town.
But what sets Jackeline apart from her competitors?
“I take my time and make sure the ingredients I use are of best quality because baking cakes is a delicate venture,” she explains.
She says her secret to success is patience. “Patience has made me to be where I am. Besides patience, prayers. Putting God first and having a supportive family and friends has worked out wonders for me.”
