Gran inspires Rachel to follow cake shop dream

A YOUNG entrepreneur has realised her dream by expanding an online cake business into a new shop inspired by her late gran.

Rachel Agnew opened the store after running a baking service using skills she learned from grandmother Amy Bain, who sadly passed away in 2012.

Motivated by years of learning from Amy, the website ‘Cute Cakes by Rachel’ was born, and won the now 20-year-old an entrepreneurial award from North Lanarkshire Council.

Rachel’s keen business sense saw her featured in the Evening Times in 2014, but now she’s gone one step further by carving out her own slice of cake heaven in her native Coatbridge – and reckons Amy would approve.

She said: “I think if my gran could see the shop she would be proud of me, she definitely taught me everything I know about baking.”

“If she was here today there’s no doubt she’d be in here working, I know I could certainly use the help.”

Rachel has taken on the venture entirely by herself, and offers cupcakes in flavours ranging from chocolate orange to cookies and cream.

The young businesswoman abandoned plans to study at university in favour of opening the shop, and advised would-be entrepreneurs that the key to success is honing your craft.

She said: “The main thing is to make sure you keep on practising, you may think you’re good you can always improve. And as my gran always said, make sure you fold the flour with a metal spoon.”

Rachel also revealed that the long hours of hard graft are paying off, as her store is already making a name for itself in the community.

She added: “It’s a busy wee area and you get lots of people coming in for a nosy, usually they end up staying for a cup of tea and a chat.”

‘Cute Cakes by Rachel’ is open Wednesday-Sunday from 10am-6pm at 13 Renfrew Street, Coatbridge or online at cutecakesbyrachel.webs. com/