My job involves… running one of London’s best biscuit bakeries, which involves designing, creating and launching our range of bespoke cookies and cakes throughout London and the UK. At Bee’s Bakery, we supply beautiful bakes to Harrods and Jamie Oliver stores – often with a message stamped into the dough or icing, which is what we’re known for. We also bake stunning wedding and celebration cakes, often incorporating edible flower petals – our speciality. We work with some of the best venues in London and the SE on weddings and parties.
I got my job by… testing and trialling the concept whilst working full time in pharmaceuticals – I’m trained as a medical microbiologist. I swapped bacteria for baking full time in 2012, after a few internships that really whet my appetite, and I couldn’t resist the challenge of running my own business.
The most rewarding part of my job is… seeing the creations that I dreamt up at lunch times in my day job appearing in stores like Selfridges and Harrods. It’s been a long road, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
The most challenging part of my job is… being my own boss. Before starting their own business, everyone imagines this to be the best bit; but let’s be honest, the average boss can be a bit of a dragon at times. When I have to put the boss hat on and tell myself off for not doing something, it’s tough.
My advice to anyone who wants a job like mine is… get as much work experience as you can before you make the jump. I started by doing various small internships during my annual leave from my main job, which involved picking up tips, techniques, and learning constantly along the way. This ensured that I had real-life experience of what the actual day to day job would be like, before I made the big jump from my corporate comfort blanket into the wilds of running my own business.
For a closer look at the cakes, go to www.beesbakery.co.uk.
