Growing a business in the middle of a pandemic
By Bessie Sarowiwa
FEATURE
The Island Bakeshop is an online bakeshop selling fresh , tasty , homemade bakes specializing in cake loaves and muffins , based in Mombasa run by Bessie Sarowiwa . She not only bakes but is the lead baker , accountant , delivery guy , marketer and everything in between . Bessie has a sweet tooth and loves baked goods and enjoys sharing that experience with random strangers that can appreciate a good slice of cake .
But where did it all begin ? The Island Bakeshop was born during the peak of the COVID 19 pandemic when all we could do was stay at home and bake banana bread . In July 2020 , she lost her job and after being down for a few weeks she knew she needed an outlet . After much deliberation which was not that difficult , she gave in to the banana bread craze going around the internet . It was either that or tik tok and we are happy with her choice because
Lord knows she can ’ t dance to save her life . Her first banana bread was an absolute failure but her family still ate it so diligently which made it even more worthwhile when she finally got it right . Through the school of YouTube , she did an insane amount of baking for the next seven or so months baking and testing different recipes .
She finally decided to take the plunge in March 2021 and share her bakes
Bessie Sarowiwa during the Kenya Cottage Expo held at Mombasa 8
Credit : Kenya Cottage Expo / Wamwiri Kimatia
Kenya Cottage - DEAR Edition