Home Biz Magazine - DEAR Edition Issue 7 | Page 9

“ Every day is a learning day as they say ... ”
with people other than her family . Her first sales were to friends and family and a few internet strangers thanks to my Instagram page @ islandbakeshop which you should go follow right now then come back and finish this , as we wait .
For someone terrible in math with zero background in business , it ’ s safe to say she had no idea what she was doing on the numbers side of the business . Most of her initial decisions were made based on guesswork or intuition which is why when she saw the call for applications for the D . E . A . R . MSME training in a certain WhatsApp group , she knew it was something she needed . While applying , she thought it would be a quick one-day training until she got the call that she had been accepted . That call alone was reassurance that she was on the right path .
Credit : Kenya Cottage Expo / Wamwiri Kimatia
The program has been nothing short of amazing . It is well organized and coordinated and not to mention all the amazing facilitators that we had the privilege of learning from . From insights on how to formalize your small business to the practical tips and tricks on the day to day running of a successful business , it ’ s a dream opportunity for someone as clueless
as she was . Through the program , she has also been able to meet other incredible entrepreneurs from whom she got to learn a lot as those in the cohort have different experiences and backgrounds .
knowing that with the proper strategies in place , she can be successful . So , in short , Karibu @ islandbakeshop for your cake and muffin needs and promote an upcoming female-led entrepreneur .
Credit : The Island Bakeshop
Credit : The Island Bakeshop
Her biggest takeaway from the program has been learning the technical know-how of establishing and running a successful business such as doing a business plan , bookkeeping and developing a marketing strategy . It has also given her the confidence she needed as an entrepreneur to push forward and set even bigger goals
Bessie Sarowiwa Founder Island Bake Shop @ islandbakeshop
Bessie was on the 40 female entrepreneurs who took part in the Digitally Enabled Adaptive and Resilient ( DEAR ) MSMEs project .
Kenya Cottage - DEAR Edition 9