It was about finding the right ingredients.
Rosario Narvaez Bostre says this when asked what the secret formula is in managing a bakeshop—it is a mixture of knowledge of the nature of the business, tons of patience and faith.
Cherry, as she is known to many, took up baking as a hobby. When she was still employed in a bank, Cherry tried her hand in baking and brought some of her goodies to the office.
Her coworkers liked it.
Upon retiring as a certified public accountant, she hit the books once again by attending baking and culinary schools. “I devoted my time to baking in order to satisfy my children’s cravings. Not long after, my neighbors started listing their orders for my cakes and cookies,” she says.
Together with her husband, Rolando, they started to toy with the idea of setting up their own bakeshop.
Just like any other business plan, it was all about location. They found one in the heart of BF Homes in Parañaque City.
The commercial space is located near the parish church. When she saw the 173 square meter place, Cherry uttered, “This is it!”
Cielin’s Cake House opened in July 2004. They invested P500,000 from their savings to set up shop.
Like most Filipino entrepreneurs, setting up a business is usually a family act. The name “Cielin” was coined from the first syllables of the nicknames of their daughters, Cielo and Inna.
Both girls also know how to whip their own magic in the kitchen. Their youngest, Carlo, studies Physical Therapy at the University of Santo Tomas.
The first few months of operations proved to be the most challenging, according to Cherry.
“Some people would pass by, take a look and some had doubts drawn in their faces. Besides, the place we occupied was not that conspicuous as it was a small unit that lies in an inner street,” she says.
She thought the best way to introduce her products to her potential customers was to give out free samples.
“Over time, through word of mouth, our products became known and customers kept coming back,” Cherry says.
Eventually, the little bakeshop in BF Homes became a household name, known for its chocolate cake, chocolate cupcake and brazo de mercedes.
Catering to BF Homes—Asia’s biggest subdivision—to over 12,000 households, Cielin’s Cakehouse has tapped a gold mine. Make that, a sweet gold mine.
Cherry considers providing for her employees one of her top priorities.
“We have 11 employees, one of whom pioneered with us since the inception of the business. He is 45-years-old and handles the position of Head Baker. The others have been with us for more than five years,” she explains.
Cherry adds that “harmonious employer-employee relationship is the key factor to keep your employees loyal to the company.”
December has always been an exceptional month for the bakeshop.
For many, December has always been considered a peak month where demand for pastries rises.
“We encourage customers to place orders ahead of time. We extend working hours to accommodate orders,” says Cherry when asked how she adjusts to the demands of the holidays.
For Cherry, being an entrepreneur means constant adjustment.
Prices of baking ingredients may fluctuate but she makes it a point never to compromise the quality of her products. She says that at times, she must really increase her price.
“But there are also times that I just absorb the price increase if the amount is negligible,” she adds.
Success comes in different forms to people. But for Cherry, it’s one must really take the good with the bad to truly define success.
For her, nothing truly comes easy but as long as one has faith and trust in God as key ingredients then success will be the end-product.
There will be challenges along the way. But as long as one truly loves and believes in their venture, they will overcome all the obstacles.
She adds that product quality and consistency must be maintained at all times in order to ensure the bakeshop’s success.
It is also vital that in setting up a business one must take it one step a time. Never rush into anything without careful planning.
So after nine years of nesting in BF Homes, Cielin’s Cakehouse will now try its wings outside BF Homes. “Right now, we are looking for a space where we can put up a branch,” she says.
Cielin’s Cakehouse is located at Fruition Building, J. Cabarrus St. BF Homes in Parañaque City. You may reach them at 7721650.