At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Monika Patel for an exclusive interview with us. She is a Passionate Entrepreneur, Food Blogger, Chef and Pastry Lover. Monika is the Founder and Pastry Chef at The Bake Box. Let’s learn more about her incredible journey, background, and advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Monika:
Talk us through your background and your journey as a women entrepreneur, please;
I did my schooling from a very small town Ashok Nagar in Madhya Pradesh. I came to Delhi for college and settled here since then. Since childhood, I had been very creative and used to participate in all cultural events in school and stood up with flying colours.
After graduating in science from Delhi University, I wanted to be a sound engineer as I was extremely good with music, but back then no one knew this profession even existed, so I ended up doing MCA against my will.
My goals were very clear, I cannot sit behind the computer and do coding, so I told my parents I would do MCA as per your will but I’ll work as per my interest.”
So I joined Radio as an intern and after a month I was hired to be an OB Jock in Delhi based radio station and from there my creative journey has begun. I am also trained in Indian Classical Vocals.
After working for more than 10 years in media and entertainment, I started developing an interest in food, I used to read and watch everything about food. The colours, plating, flavours everything about food is so enticing. I started experimenting on food and more towards healthy derivatives and techniques.”
I also started enjoying clicking my food pictures and that’s how I started my blog, Pirate Of Kitchen, people started loving my food and pictures.
I was always good in culinary but baking is something which attracted me and I wanted to explore it more. I got inspired by Masterchef (Australia) and the beautifully plated desserts they make there and I decided to quit my job after 13+ years of working. I joined APCA (Academy of Culinary and Pastry arts, Gurgaon). I did my advanced diploma in Pastry arts and begin my journey as a Pastry Chef.
Though it wasn’t easy to quit my job and start from Zero, my friends and family were quite worried, some of them even said I am being stupid quitting Job putting all my savings at stake for my passion. But I wanted to do it, and here I am, happy to be called a Pastry Chef. “
What attracts you towards entrepreneurship instead of a corporate career?
I always wanted to feed people with good food, food which not only tastes good but also looks good.
Though The Bake Box started out of necessity and boredom as after only 6 months of my 1-year course, lockdown started and I wanted to practice my skills and earn money.
So I started working on my venture, and my friends and family were very supportive.
It is not easy to start a business for a single independent girl after working for such a long time in corporate. But things fall right in place and The Bake Box is up and running today with so many loyal and happy customers.”
‘The Bake Box’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving?
The Bake Box is my baby, the name came through after a lot of brainstorming and thoughts. I wanted to give a name which people can easily understand, and right with the name it’s very clear what we are serving.
The bake box is a box of sweet desires, it’s a place where sweetness is handcrafted with love for all your Happy Occasions.
Whatdoesyourcompanyspecialisein?
The Bake Box specialises in high-end French pastries, Cakes, Bespoke Cakes, Cookies, Healthy bakes, Sugar-free Bakes, Gluten-Free Bakes, Breads and unique flavour combinations.
During this COVID-19 crisis, what are the measures you have undertaken to continue your business without disruption?
As the business is born during COVID, each measure is taken to ensure that the model aligns with the challenges of the pandemic. Thanks for the home-based kitchen, people were more confident in order, due to less human contact and good hygiene
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
Like I shared, I am a very positive person, so that helps. Plus, I have an action oriented mindset.
I believe in doing/actions rather than cribbing. My positivity keeps me calm and drives me through the most difficult situations in life.
I love to do things whole heartedly because I think from my heart, I am more of a heart person.
Though the approach at times takes a toll on me as the society doesn’t always work with my heart, but my positive approach makes things fall in place for me.
I stay calm in the most stressful situations, I meditate over things and that makes me think and act in difficult times.”
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My Mother, she is a very Positive person herself. She helped me stay cool in the most toughest situations in life.
She always pushed me to follow my dreams and do what I do the best.
Also, I am blessed with some beautiful and super supportive friends, who inspired me through my journey.
What are the business mantras you have embraced as you sought to establish your success story?
Follow your passion and perform with the best of your capability.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
There are a few:
> Positivity for sure
> Hard Work, I am a very hard working person
> Taking extreme ownership and responsibility for all my actions
> Ability to take risks & venture into uncharted territories.
> Perfectionist
Please share with us – what has worked well for you so far?
One thing I would say that helped me and my bakery grow is the ability to listen to our customers. Feedbacks are very important in the food business especially, so keep working on the feedback.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
I will say it straight that there are many factors but if you really have to have the key elements then to me these are the ones:
(1) Staying Positive
(2) Responsibility for my actions
(3) Meditation
(4) Resourcefulness
(5) Intriguing
(6) Loving what you do (my work)
(7) Taking action (execution) with consistency and belief
(8) Learn and Unlearn and Relearn
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
I would say, you should love what you do. If you don’t enjoy your work, it will come out as a burden to you.
The market is competitive and you are expected to excel in whatever you do, but that’s not possible every time.
Stop forcing yourself towards surviving, rather find a passion and proceed towards it. Live your life to the fullest. Follow your dreams, It will make your life easy.
There is so much to be shared, but this conversation limits how much I can communicate on this platform.
Students and young professionals regularly reach out to me on LinkedIn with their specific queries.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
