Making bakery products prove lucky for Rafia Manzoor

During Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, Rafia Manzoor did not want to waste her time by remaining idle, instead she wanted to do something productive; She learned making bakery products on YouTube which she had never thought of.
Hailing from Chattabal area of Srinagar, the self-taught baker created a niche for herself by making different kinds of homemade bakery products.
Over the past two years, she has become a popular name in the city for her homemade bakery, be it birthday cakes or any other confectionary required for special occasions.
Rafia, who completed her masters’ degree in journalism in 2019 from the University of Kashmir, had never thought of becoming a professional baker. Before the bakery idea came to her mind she worked as part time junior research assistant at Central University of Kashmir.
“I could not stay idle at home. So, with the help of the internet, I started experimenting with the dough and turned it into cakes and other bakery products,” she said.
Rafia has learned all the art and science of baking and makes different varieties of tasty cakes, cookies, cupcakes, croissants, muffins and other such items.
She handles her business online on Instagram by the name ‘Sweet Craving Bakery’ under the tagline ‘You Crave, We Bake’ and delivers her clients specialized bakery as per their choice.
The 29-year-old entrepreneur handles the packaging by herself.The home delivers of her bakery products is done via Jhelum Cart app within the limits of Srinagar city. She receives orders mostly via Instagram.
“It has been a slow process for me, initially everything was spun around my passion, but by then friends and family encouraged me to change this into a business,” she said.
Earlier, her business was confined to her friends and relatives only. Now, Rafia said, her client base is growing and she gets more customers day by day and she is working hard to take this business to new heights.
“Making bakery products is not rocket science, if one wishes and is determined to follow passion one can do it. Patience is the way to everything,nothing happens in one day,” said Rafia.
“This business have provided viable income to me which encouraged me to do more hard work. Bakery is one of the excellent examples for my financial security since it has a huge market,” she said.