15 Oct 2015

 An economist by training, Ms Angela Matroos, has other ideas about serving the economy. She has turned her back on the career path her honours degree in economics from the University of Namibia promised.

She makes custom-designed cakes for baby showers, baptisms, birthdays and anniversaries. The 25 -year- old Matroos is the proud owner of Cakes and Bakes, a bakery that produces cakes for all occasions.

“There is a notion in our nation that the arts are not a viable career path. We grow up with the belief that we have to have white collar jobs in order to make it in life,” she says.

It was at university that she learnt that she has it in her to venture into the world of business. She would once in a while bake cakes for her colleagues’ occasions. 

“Baking pretty much woke up the creative in me,” she explains.

“I have always loved the arts. During my high school years, I studied art and excelled at it. Somewhere inside me I have always been yearning for a life of artistry,” she says.

Upon completing her degree, she had a short stint with the Ministry of Agriculture as an assistant economist intern.

“Although I learnt a lot from the internship, the monotony of a 9am-5pm life did not really appeal to me. I felt frustrated and bored,” she explains.

She says that she also felt that the job was not challenging.

“I love challenges, the feeling of not knowing what’s coming next. With cakes it is like that. You never know the type of order you are going to receive. 

That excites me. This has been the best decision I have ever made.

 "I love what I do and nothing will stand on my way to success,” she explains.

She started taking orders from friends and family, and baked after work. 

“Before I knew it, more orders than I could handle were rolling in. It was then that I realised I should quit the internship programme and focus on something that was more challenging, and that I was passionate about,” she asserts.

Her creativity came in handy as the job requires designing and decorating of cakes. Her parents’ initial reaction after they learnt that she has quit internship was discouraging. 

“Every parent wants what is best for their children. They did not see how baking cakes could be a lucrative business,” she explains.

Her passion for her new found job made her parents change their mind.

“They have been very supportive. They are my number one cheer leaders today. I cannot be more grateful,” remarks the Rappelspan business woman.

Her product range includes cakes, cupcakes and cookies.

“We continue to bake and design custom cakes such as baby bumps for baby showers, brandy bottles for men’s birthdays and character cartoons for children’s parties,” she says.

As with every business, it is not smooth sailing at Cakes and Bakes. Ms Matroos laments that their greatest challenge is the ongoing electricity rationing. 

“This has hugely affected our baking and output capacity. We have had to reschedule our baking times,” she says.

She says that there has been a steady growth in the business. 

“I have partnered with a very passionate and creative woman. We are currently the main employees. We hire temporary staff now and then like on mother’s and father’s days when we get a lot of special orders,” she says.

 “As of now we are self-funding the business but it is our wish to expand our base in the near future and will have to look for financial assistance,” she says.

Matroos says that they have not started advertising the business. “Our main form of advertising at the moment is social media. We have a Facebook page, twitter and instagram accounts which everyone can visit to track our work,” she says.Ms Matroos encourages youth to take advantage of the opportunities government offers. Ends