Brown sugar
Offering doughnut bouquets, Brown Sugar by Diarra
Wickremasinghe took over Instagram for their decadent range of doughnuts and sweets.
1 I’m a curator of all things sweet! I do an array of cakes, cupcakes, brownies, doughnuts and more! A few signature items of mine include Ice cream tacos that I do only for stalls, eclair pizzas and doughnut bouquets!
2 I was in operation before curfew and to be honest there has been a spike in demand during lockdown; a lot of people were craving doughnuts especially! Operations have changed due to the many hygienic measures we homebakers have to take such as disinfecting the ingredients delivered etc. It goes without saying that homebaker’s hygiene levels must be 110% but COVID has definitely increased the pressure of disinfecting everything and ensuring that all operations are done correctly in accordance with required safety measures.
3 Pretty challenging considering that I couldn’t arrange delivery during that time. Also, being a ‘home’ baker means that I have a duty to safeguard everyone at home! Which meant that I had to take careful measures when customers would call over to pick up their order and in the collection of payment etc.
4 The most challenging part was not having a mode of delivery. However, I was able to take many orders for those who were able to pick up! I actually did a wedding cake during curfew that just brightened up the house because I tend to play music to suit the occasion and spark inspiration so; love songs all day, everyone dancing, the works!
5 I am following all safety guidelines in terms of sanitary measures. However, for a period of time I intend to take orders on pick up basis only. 6 The fact that it is 100% my own. I have the power to mould Brown Sugar and make it as authentic as possible. It’s so refreshing to have something that is entirely yours and have fun with it.
7 It has actually given me time to realise how much more I can do, and has helped me experiment at home with new products that I will unveil soon. It has also helped me get to know my customers and those who follow me- I put up a bunch of DIY desserts that people can make at home during curfew and I got so many people sending me pictures of what they made, asking me questions about the do’s and don’ts, sharing their concoctions- it was so nice to engage with them!
8 I see a rapid increase of homebakers which is honestly so amazing. Sri Lanka has so many talented people coming up with new and fun ways of doing business and creating products. Post COVID will be a little challenging due to the immense supply and availability of similar products, but it is still so great to see new places come up! 9 You are never too young to start your own business. I started selling cookies at the age of 12 to buy my mum a phone for her birthday (which I did - I was able to collect enough money!) and that sparked Brown Sugar to be born in 2015. Being 21 now, has made me realise that I am so lucky to have had the many experiences I did at a very young age, it really helped me grow my business and grow up in the process. The best advice of all is to be beautifully YOU in all that you create. Your energy and gorgeous ways must be embedded in your brand and it must speak the authentic language that you have designed. Copy cats and competitors come and go, but if you have a brand and line of products that is special and reflects what is important and real to you, I guarantee loyal customers forever. It’s okay to be wonderfully weird and imperfectly perfect, as long as you are true to you.
*. Brown Sugar takes orders only via Instagram (@brownsugar). Brown Sugar accepts bank transfers or cash on pick up.