Grade 9 pupil starts her own baking business
BUSINESS-minded Dashriya Naidoo, 14, of uMhlanga Rocks has started a baking business.
“I have been baking with my mom my entire life and have always loved it. I started baking my own creations at 10,” said Dashriya.
She said her mother was the resident family baker until she took over. The Grade 9 pupil of Danville Park Girls’ High School started her home-based baking business, Whipped by Dash, in November, to share her passion with the world. She gets between two to five orders a week, baking anything from treats, cupcakes and cakesicles to novelty and wedding cakes. Dashriya said vanilla was a popular flavour among her clients.
“I think it’s because it is classic and you can never go wrong with it.”
As much as she enjoys baking and navigating her business, Dashriya said after matriculating she wanted to pursue a career in medicine.
“I'm specifically interested in surgery. Ten years from now, I see myself as a doctor. But I don’t think I will ever stop baking as it is my favourite thing to do.”
She said her favourite subject at school was biology as she was eager to learn about the human body. The young entrepreneur said balancing running a business and school had proven to be a challenge, but being organised and proactive had helped her manage it well.
“I make lists and then lists for those lists and stick to them until I have completed everything I need to do.”
Dashriya said even though her baking schedule sometimes interrupted her family’s sleeping schedule, she was thankful that her parents supported her.
“It has also been difficult because I am a morning person. I can barely stay awake past 9pm and I’m sure my family does not want to get woken up by the strident sound of a mixer at 4am.”
She said with the money she had earned, she wanted to take her family on a holiday to thank them for all that they have done for her. Dashriya advised other young entrepreneurs to jump right into it and not be afraid to start their own businesses. “It will take a lot of hard work, but it will be worth it in the end, especially if you do something you are passionate about and proud of.”
She encouraged young people to be financially literate at an early age. “Learning about finances at a young age is important. It is something you will use for the rest of your life and getting a better understanding of it helps set you up for success in the future.”
Dashriya draws inspiration from Christina Tosi, an American chef, author and television personality.
“I remember being in awe when I watched her as a judge on MasterChef Junior and I was inspired by how amazing her cooking and baking skills were.”
Her father, Naven Naidoo, an orthopaedic surgeon, said he initially thought her baking was a hobby. “I was surprised to see it develop into a business.”
He said he did not get involved in the business apart from exercising his dad’s duty as a taste tester.
Her mother, Losh Naidoo, an occupational therapist, said she was a tad apprehensive when her daughter decided to start the business.
“I thought it would be a good holiday pastime. I did not realise it would turn into a fully fledged, thriving business. Dashriya’s passion for baking, as well as her determination and hard work, is what makes her a success.”
She said she helped her daughter to brainstorm ideas, manage her costing, and was her designated errand person, personal shopper and driver.
Losh said she was not business-minded. The business had therefore been a learning curve for the two of them. “My advice to other parents is to allow your kids to follow their dreams. The life skills Dashriya has learnt from this venture have been invaluable, from time and money management to interpersonal skills from communicating with clients,” she said.