Startup Story #11: The happy home baker

October 17, 2016

The birth of a startup is not confined to an idea or space, it is the persistence and passion that follows it through. Prajakti Shet, a homemaker wanted to contribute towards the family, but was not sure of the best outlet that would not compromise on her time spent at home with the family. Soon, an enterprise that catered homecooked food to doorsteps presented itself as a perfect opportunity to begin with. After gaining confidence, Shet began her own venture called CarryOcake as orders from friends and family kept pouring in. “I enjoyed baking and making desserts, although my inventory was rather small but it consisted of items that were a ‘hit’ with the family. I kept going. I didn’t have a name or an official presence on social media but I was baking and happy. In July, this year when I participated in an event, I decided to take it more seriously and that’s how the brand CarryOcake came up,” explains Shet.

When the comfort of home was synonymous with the aroma of freshly baked cake wafting through the house. Where hearts were poured out along with endless cups of coffee and a hearty meal was incomplete without a little something sweet, is how the home baker likes to explain her little venture. With a sweet tooth right from childhood, learning how to make the “perfect caramel custard” from her mother, further piqued her interest into the dessert world. She grew up to master the art of whipping up some decadent cookies, brownies and cakes which are all part of the CarryOcake menu. Kneading her way through her childhood dreams, she says: “Like a lot of other kids I grew up on a generous literary dose of classics. I read about how Red Riding Hood’s mother packed a basket of goodies like muffins and cookies or Alice in Wonderland’s tea parties etc. At this point though and for a long time after this, I enjoyed drinking coffee and eating cake, biscuits, basically all baked goodies. I would be more excited shopping in a bakery than most other places and that still happens.”

Describing herself as the “official cake and cookie mom,” she tells us how with her personal touch and baking skills CarryOcake sets itself apart. “I wanted to make cakes, desserts and cookies which were homemade yet inviting, different – not run of the mill that one easily finds in a cake shop and that I had to customise. A cake is special. It can be the perfect ending. Or the perfect midnight feast. Or the perfect coffee partner. Whatever the occasion, whatever the time of day, if it’s cake, it’s got to make you feel happy. And good!” Sticking to the classics such as pineapple upside down, date and walnut, fresh plums, blueberries, lemon, Buttery pound cakes, moist chocolate cakes, muffins and monster cookies, she promises, “the perfect homemade gift that looks good and yet doesn’t have the ‘commercial’ shop look or flavour to it.”

Shet takes orders via mails as well as over the phone in order to get a detailed description from the customer on the kind of dessert they would like. The various baked goodies that are offered can be viewed on her Facebook Page known as CarryOcake (www.facebook.com/carryocake), along with a brief description to make your decision simpler with prices ranging from rupees 200 to 3,000 depending on the product and customisation involved. Despite, receiving immense pleasure from the startup there have been a few hurdles that she would like to overcome. “I think the biggest challenge is reaching out to people. Letting them know that you exist. Someone in the vicinity may be craving for that perfect Tres Leches and I would happily provide it but how do we get the universe to get us to meet?!” explains exasperated Shet.

But, it is a dream she has been harbouring for a while that keeps her going. “Coffee, cake and conversations I believe can make the world a better place. I’ve wanted to have this quaint little coffee and cake place where people could hangout and chat or read, or listen to music. Maybe have a karaoke section. Where rounds of coffee and slices of cake and plates of cookies are passed around and people are singing. A happy go-to place,” smiles Shet.