Vutomi Eulendah Lubisi | Eully’s Cakery

Programme sponsor: DSV

“Since starting the programme, I’ve opened an online store and increased my monthly turnover to almost R100 000 – and I am confident I can double that again in the next year.”

Not all my entrepreneurial ventures have been successful. In fact, Eully’s Cakery is my third business venture! My first, which I started while I was working as an accountant, was a tissue manufacturing business, which failed. The second was a recycling business, which also failed after about a year, mainly because COVID hit.

I started Eully’s Cakery after reading a business book that suggested entrepreneurs should do something they are passionate about, rather than something they think will just make money. I love baking, so I started to bake and sell, focusing on cakes, biscuits and scones.

As the business grew, I realised that most rural bakeries in South Africa don’t have access to the baking ingredients, equipment and training they need, so I shifted my business to bakery supplies.

A mindset shift

I had been following Raizcorp for many years. I always loved the Pitch & Polish competition and planned to enter the competition one day. I even attended an in-person event – one of the last ones before COVID hit.

When I saw that the competition had moved online, I decided to apply. I was chosen to compete and made it to the top 8. The judges saw my potential, and although I didn’t win, I was encouraged to apply to the Raizcorp Comprehensive Enterprise Development programme.

When I started out, I was making about R5 000 a month and running my business like a side hustle. Through Pitch & Polish, I realised I needed to scale my business – implement proper processes and hire more people. Since being part of the Raizcorp programme, I have opened an online store, moved to proper accounting software, hired two staff members (one to assist with baking and one to manage the online store) and documented my processes so I can focus more on growing the business. I’ve also increased my monthly turnover to almost R100 000, and I am confident I can double that again in the next year.

Before I joined the programme, my business was run on WhatsApp. I couldn’t keep track of all the customer messages and managing inventory was a problem. Now that we’re using Shopify, I can keep track of stock properly. But one of the biggest benefits of the programme for me has been improving my communication skills and management style. My Raizcorp guides have helped me realise that because I’ve been baking for so long, some things seem like common sense to me, but I can’t expect someone else to have all my knowledge in their head. I’ve learned to document my processes, which means that things are done the way I would do them, even when I’m not there. I’m proud that my business is now at a point where it can keep running, even when I’m away.

Sharing knowledge

When I was part of Pitch & Polish, Allon Raiz said something to me that stuck – that I’m a natural marketing guru. I’ve taken that onboard. I not only teach people how to bake, but I’m also showing them how to market their baking businesses on social media.

It’s not just about customer retention – I love seeing how my customers’ businesses grow. Of course, that benefits me too. As they grow, they order more from me. My aim is to become a one-stop shop, so I become my customers’ preferred supplier.

My short-term goal is to move my business to a bigger premises, as I’m currently operating out of my home. Then my long-term goal is to service at least 10% of South Africa’s 65 000 informal bakeries, which would double or triple my current turnover.

Advice for other entrepreneurs

Do something you love. If you do something purely because you think it will make you a lot of money, and you’re focused on the finances, it might not work out. You might underestimate the processes required because you’re focused on the outcome, rather than on what it takes to get there. Whereas if you do something you’re passionate about, it’s easy. You know what you’re doing and it makes it easier to keep going in tough times. Your passion will pull you through.

A message for my sponsor

I’m very grateful to DSV for the opportunity to join the Raizcorp programme. I know for a fact that I would not have achieved what I have today without it. In fact, I would have thought it was impossible. I hope to stay on the programme and to keep scaling my business.

I’m grateful to Raizcorp for their support and I hope they can continue to help more entrepreneurs who have a vision but struggle to implement it on their own.