THE SWEETEST TEMPTING CREATIONS

THE SWEETEST TEMPTING CREATIONS

• 21 September 2013

It's 3am and here I am penning down my thoughts of being an entrepreneur, or perhaps, I should rephrase, managing a business of my own...

Just spent the last half an hour of my (sleep) time replying to customers' emails. What would they think of me, like whoa how come this girl replies my orders at 3am. hurhur, but whatever it is, I make it a point to reply to mails 24/7 within 2 hours at least. I don't like to drag things, especially when it comes to business

Anyways, just wanted to share how this entire thing came to me and how God really open doors for his child aka me. Just some background, my mum took over Temptations Cakes (with some partners) when I was about 19years old. Back then, I was really interested in baking and obviously, pretty things, but I remember the fondant market wasn't popular and no one really ventured into that. Instead, I decided to just get my 19th birthday cake, a rainbow Hello Kitty one from Temptations (obviously) and it turned out to be rather nice! However, I didn't meddle with the business because it was my last year of Polytechnic and I had too much school commitments to deal with. After graduation, I took up some baking lessons here and there just for fun but again, was never into the whole business deal. Having said that, taking up a Business Diploma meant that I had an interest in Business and have always wanted to start my own one day.

To cut the story short, it all began last December, on my 20th birthday. At that point of time, fondant cakes were popular and I see lots of celebrations with these pretty cakes. I shortlisted a few bakeries to order my cake from, however my mum refused to pay for them because it's really expensive. No shit, really very expensive, I have no idea why! Well, but of course she said, how about ordering from Temptations instead? It was a gamble because we have never done those very pretty fondant cakes before and I certainly didn't want my birthday cake to be ugly! #firstworldproblems BUT, bobian, since I don't want to spend a fortune on my fondant tiered cake, I worked with what I was blessed with. Got down to doing all the design conceptualisation and worked on my pretty in pink princess cake.

Look at how it turned out! *claps*

Woah, I'm super happy with its outcome! My friends complimented it!

So I went home, thought through it, why not implement the fondant range at Temptations!

Besides the fact that it's pretty, I wanna do it because I'll be doing a favour for all my friends out there especially since I'll be turning 21 this year and so are most of my friends. Not only can I bake for them but also, it helps them to save lots of $money$. Really, why pay so much when you can order your cakes from a friend? So I started working with the baker on more designs and we implemented tiered cakes, but even then, I didn't join the business because I was too busy.

Then came a few months ago, there were discussions of selling this business. That was probably the defining point! It'll be just too wasted! especially since this brand has been in the market since 1980s. What happened to wanting to serve customers and especially my friends? I was convinced that it was a good decision to run this business. After all, I love designing pretty things and I believe the F&B market is one worth venturing into. It's FOOD, who doesn't love food, right? ^^

My mum had a few other businesses to deal with at this point as well. It was either she gave this bakery business up or I takeover and continue it. Well, after putting much thought into it, I decided to takeover the business with the main aim of beefing up sales through many ways. I honestly had no idea how to do it, no experience especially in trying to survive a business. But, with mustard seed faith, I decided to go ahead with it.

IT'S OFFICIAL!
It's been 2 months since I officially took over Temptations Cakes!

I never thought I would, but I did. It's been part of my life, ever since

The legacy homegrown cake shop Temptations traces its roots to 1985 when its founders identified a niche in the quality and availability of gourmet cakes in Singapore at the time. In they stepped to fill the niche and success came fast as its signature etoile cake, amongst other delicious offerings, won the hearts of many foodies, dessert lovers and those who enjoy the finer things in life. 

Temptations has been reborn in 2010 - on its 25th anniversary - with the generation of its founding partner breathing new life into the familiar brand that many of us remember fondly. With a dynamic new management team at the helm, Temptations continues to be guided by one of its original founders - skillfully bridging the old and the new so that the company is now perfectly poised to reclaim its premier positioning amongst cake connoisseurs while preserving the cherished memories of yesteryear that made Temptations' cakes so unique and well-loved.

It's not a bed of roses to run a business, especially when I'm still schooling and involved in many other commitments like church and blogging. “I’m almost not a student anymore" you can quote me on that. Plus, just the business alone, there are sooo many challenges and issues I've to face all the time. At this point of time, there's alot of people to thank. Of course, the people working at Temptations whom I really salute and respect x grateful for a great team of talents. Besides them, I wanna thank my close friends and especially my schoolmates for being so accommodative to my schedules and for helping me out with schoolwork. Without y'all, I don't know how I survive in school. Thanks for making things more bearable for me when I'm so busy...

IT'S NOTHING LIKE GLITZ AND GLAMOUR!

I've been replying emails like the first thing every morning and throughout the day... even in classes I managed to make 2 deals, so much more fulfilling since I don't understand class anyways.

I've been busy making calls, getting supplies, working with consultants

I've been tweeting and instagraming on the go

I've been dealing with customers over all sorts of mediums, some even face to face meetups just to discuss their customised cake designs

I've been spending time doing some baking myself (and still learning)

I've been getting myself insync with the F&B market so that I know what's going on and who are my competitors

I've been coming up with new promotion campaigns and new products

and the list goes on & on.

There were times when I get so frustrated with people and things. There were times I just did not understand how things were done what I should do and where I should start from. There were times when I fell sick. There were times when I slept at ungodly hours just to work on the business. There were times when I questioned myself if everything was worth it. There were times I wondered why I agreed to take up this business. There were times I felt this is a waste of time I should be studying like my other friends instead. And there were times that I wanted to just 'quit' and say I'm out of this.

PARTS AND PARCELS
It was a struggle from the beginning (and it still is), but looking back at just these 2 months, it's been worthwhile and I'm immensely grateful to God for this opportunity he gave me. I believe that to create something truly useful we must create like God did, for others.

time and time again, I'm amazed by all his beautiful creations on heaven and earth.

The same goes for all entrepreneurs. I want to create something of value to others, to be able to serve others and make their life more enjoyable in some way. I'm in this business not to indulge in my own interests, but more so to serve my fellow friends and customers.

I especially like the fact that Temptations get to be part of someone's special occasion by creating something special for their special day/event. Also, the happy feeling when I see customers smile when I deliver cakes to them/they receive their cakes. Not forgetting the fact that I can bless my friends with these sweet treats too! (:

I've gained a lot of rewarding industry knowledge in the past month. I remember how we needed to firstly move to a less ulu place, so I had to source for a new location, contact & meet retail space agents, go down to view the shop spaces - at that point I swear I could tell you offhand which location in SG costs how much psf. Although eventually, we decided to stay put for the time being, I did other more pressing things like attending corporate meetings, learnt things that I initially don't know at all like all the systems and website html designs, meeting super 'upz' people in the market and getting hold of 'internal industry secrets'. More importantly, I could put my social media knowledge and whatever I've learnt from school to good use, everything seems to practical and logical now. Thankgod!

UNDERSTAND IT WON'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT

Well, that's the work I do. But I know and you know, success doesn't happen overnight. I try, but I can't CPR this business and make it survive and thrive overnight. What I've realised is to allow myself the time to grow in spirit, faith and in skills, to hone these hard and soft skills before moving forward. I've got to take things as they come, one by one. Slowly but surely, we will get there.
At least, thus far, what I've really mastered is how to deal with customers, especially those ridiculously difficult ones. My goodness *slaps forehead* I wonder how people like them can exist BUT okay I know I've got to love thy neighbours love everyone SO I've always treat them with a smile and I applaude myself for this. There was no one to guide me in terms of replying to emails and even to what products we have in stores, so I had to read up the catalogue, work pricing issues, set the menu and just simply whack whatever I intuitively think is right. I would say the more troublesome customers are not the unreasonable ones but the indecisive ones. After replying to many emails, I realised I got to be very flexible and creative in terms of dealing with different types of customers. Creative in the sense that obviously I have to come up with designs for them because most of the time, they don't really know what they want. All they say is I want a pretty cake (and if you're lucky, at least they provide you with a theme). hurhur, and then, there's this issue of budget. As I understand people may not want to pay so much for a cake (which is the whole point why I even want to run this business) I normally would help those with budget problems and make sure they still get a nice cake in the end. There's a lot of time and effort that goes into the entire process, especially since at one point I'm not only dealing with one customer but maybe a few, so I really got to remember who ordered what!

MOVING FORWARD

"I feel like a superwoman some days. Other days, I just feel like a pig."

With school still at the back of my mind & other commitments I currently have, I know this whole entrepreneurship journey will not be easy, but I believe with all my heart (and faith) that since God put me to it, he will put me through it!
Even if I fail, at least I've experienced what it means to take ownership or something bigger than I could have imagined. No Regrets. Forward moving, Twinny & I intend to venture into dessert tables as well since she's really good at designing pretty things (so proud of Twinny, everywhere I go I'm promoting her marketing skills haha!). Hopefully, it'll be the path of success but we shall see where God leads us to!

With this blogpost, I just want to thank YOU all my friends & customers, for your support thus far. I feel very blessed. Some of you even asked me if I needed help and don't mind working for me. Not forgetting, those who willingly help me out at my booth in school during the bazaar recently and of course, those who ordered cakes from me and yes, even recommended friends to order my cakes! Thanks for everything from the bottom of my heart! ♡

I hope that our sweet creations have been a great (and pretty) part of your joyous occasions and we are glad to bake for you now and in the future. I promise we'll be coming up with prettier cake designs and tastier sweet treats for your tasting pleasures.
What we've previously done!

{Thinking of ordering cakes, cupcakes, tarts, pastries, any other sweet treats, or even dessert tables, you know who to call! ^^ Ask your Father Mother Uncle Aunty Sister Brother Girlfriend Boyfriend to order from me!}

*P.S let me know personally and I'll give you a discount for sure!

Before I end this long post off, please support by liking our facebook page Temptations Cafe and Cakes and follow our Insta updates @temptationscakes

Any collaborations, contact me directly at samantha@temptationscakes.com.sg

As cliché as this sounds, but I truly believe that the harder you work at something, the more believe you have in yourself and the business, the more satisfying it is when you eventually reach your goal. Hope to set up a cafe (or god's greater plans for me) ideally when I graduate!

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl."