Mpofu lives her passion at Cakes by Quinta

Young graduate Neo Mpofu realised that she could feel great satisfaction and fulfilment when she is pursuing her passion for baking instead of wasting hours on a 9 to 5 job and waiting for month end to earn money. After working for five years at an internet service provider she decided to quit her job as a customer care officer and plunged into the baking business. She had always been passionate about baking when she was growing up. The Bachelor of Arts in Humanities degree holder had a yearning to do something she really enjoyed and she knew that her special baking skills would do it for her. “As an employee, I was merely there to earn money but I was not fulfilled. I felt an aching in my heart to be engaged in something else when at work. “It was always this sick gut wrenching feeling every time I woke up to go to a job that I had no interest in. I knew it was only for the benefit of my stomach, which is the sad reality most people face when they shut themselves in away from available opportunities, or are forced by other circumstances,” said Mpofu. She registered a company in 2015 and called it Cakes By Quinta. This is where she works tirelessly week in and week out producing uniquely decorated cakes, cupcakes and muffins. And she can do any type of cake for any occasion. She acquired her baking skills during her childhood. She would bake with her family and enjoyed it very much. “My aunty was a Home Economics teacher and she taught me how to bake very well, by teaching me the basics of baking from the right proportions to add in the bowl, to how to stir the mix consistently and finally to adding the mixture in the oven,” she says. Mpofu eventually developed a desire to learn more techniques in baking cakes, cake pops, scones and other products. “I learnt how to bake at a more competitive level. So after marketing my products around Gaborone I increased my skills set and learnt how to make edible flowers, figurines and other highly delicate parts of the cake that are very important to the aesthetic,” said Mpofu. After operating for a few months her business blossomed and she began to receive more than three orders per day. Her major clients are individuals, organisations and corporates. She manufactures for all occasions including parties, weddings, celebrations and other special events. Cake prices start from P550 and increase depending on the type. Currently she has one employee working full time but always gets more people to help when working on large orders. At the moment she is investing in developing her baking skills by enrolling for baking courses to keep up with the changing trends in the baking industry