Eden Delights & Snacks ZW| Featured Vendor Fridays
Today on our Featured Vendor Fridays segment we interview Pretty Muhabe, a harare baker and caterer who founded the Harare baking and catering company known as Eden Delights and Snacks ZW.
1. May you kindly share your name & what your core business is: My company name is Eden Delights and our company specializes in baking and catering.
2. Who is the person behind the Eden Delights brand?: The founder of Eden Delights is Pretty Muhabe
3. What are the products/ services that you provide?: The products/ services that we provide are:
- Cakes
- Snacks ie finger foods
- Scones,doughnuts,
- muffins
4. Where do you operate from: We operate from Shawasha Hills, Harare
5. What propelled you to start your business?: It’s passion. I love being in the kitchen, so baking and catering is like a hobby to me.
9. What makes you stand apart from the rest of the people providing similar services/products?: The quality of my cakes and food is never compromised. I do what the customer asks for and if there be any glitches l communicate. Time is one factor which is very crucial to me hence I always deliver my products and services on time. I also Pay attention to detail. Additionally,
10. Do you have any advice for couples planning their weddings days, roora celebrations or, lobola celebrations?: I always encourage engaged couples to work within their budget, to plan on time and to do what they love and not what other people love. Remember it’s your day.
11. Do you have any advice for aspiring wedding vendors who might want to follow in your footsteps?: It’s never too late to start.
12. How do you unwind after a busy period?: I go for a holiday to rest then come back refreshed although sometimes it’s difficult to do so. I make time for myself.
13. Please share your best marketing tips/ lessons that you’ve learnt in business: People judge the book by its cover hence be the best and provide quality products inside out. If you do this, you won’t go wrong. You should have confidence in your product and you shouldn’t hesitate to market it or to price it. You also need to be consistent because people see from afar. Don’t be discouraged when you post and don’t get any response. Keep at it, your time will come.
14. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?: I see myself owning baking accessories shops around Zim and also owning a restaurant and cafés
15. Can you tell us a time when you faced challenges in your business and how you overcame the challenges?:As a baker, I’ve faced numerous challenges that have tested my resolve, creativity, and perseverance. Despite these obstacles, I’ve managed to adapt, innovate, and thrive:
I once faced a challenge when customers were not owning up to their orders. Because of this, I now take deposits or full amount on order.
Load Shedding and Power Outages
One of the most significant challenges I’ve faced is load shedding and power outages. As a baker, I rely heavily on electricity to operate my equipment, and power outages can bring my business to a standstill. To overcome this challenge, I’ve had to think creatively. I’ve invested in gas-powered equipment, which allows me to continue baking even when the power is out. I’ve also learned to plan ahead, scheduling my baking around the power outage schedules and stocking up on ingredients and supplies.
Burnout and Health Concerns
Another challenge I’ve faced is burnout and health concerns. As a baker, I often work long hours, standing for extended periods, and lifting heavy equipment. This can take a toll on my physical and mental health. To overcome this challenge, I’ve had to prioritize my health and well-being. I’ve learned to take breaks, rest when I need to, and delegate tasks to others when possible. I’ve also invested in ergonomic equipment and taken steps to reduce my workload.
Lack of Confidence and Self – Doubt
When I first started my baking business, I struggled with a lack of confidence and self-doubt. I wasn’t sure if my baked goods were good enough, and I worried about what customers would think. To overcome this challenge, I’ve had to focus on building my skills and knowledge. I’ve taken baking courses, attended workshops, practiced, practised, and practiced. I’ve also learned to seek feedback from customers and use it to improve my products.
Emergency Orders and Last Minute Requests
Emergency orders and last-minute requests can be stressful and challenging. Customers often need cakes or pastries at short notice, and it can be difficult to deliver high-quality products under pressure. To overcome this challenge, I’ve had to develop a system for handling emergency orders. I’ve learned to prioritize tasks, work efficiently, and communicate clearly with customers. I’ve also invested in a range of ingredients and supplies, so I can quickly whip up a cake or pastry at short notice.
Balancing Business and Family Life
As a baker and entrepreneur, it can be challenging to balance business and family life. I often work long hours, and it can be difficult to switch off from work mode.
To overcome this challenge, I’ve had to set clear boundaries and prioritize my family time. I’ve learned to delegate tasks, outsource when necessary, and take breaks when I need to. I’ve also communicated openly with my family about my business demands and needs.
By overcoming these challenges, I’ve been able to grow and develop my baking business while also maintaining my physical and mental well-being.
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Serving elite clients, like Olinda Chapel, has been a significant milestone for me, especially considering I’m still relatively new to the industry. What’s even more remarkable is the consistent monthly growth in sales, which I attribute to God’s guidance.
2. Expanding Products and Services
In 2024, I successfully introduced scones to my product line, which have been well-received by customers. I also launched doughnuts, our best-selling new product. Notably, Eden Delights has expanded its reach to include UK-based clients, catering to their loved ones in Zimbabwe. We offer customized cakes and a “favour bag” with additional treats at an extra cost.
3. Innovation and Customization
One of my proudest moments was when I successfully created a custom criss-cross cake for a client without prior training. This experience taught me the value of innovation and creativity in my baking. I’ve also learned to appreciate the confidence clients gain from my previous work, whether it’s custom cakes or wedding cakes.
What I’ve realized is that clients gain confidence from the work I’ve previously done. Even when I started doing wedding cakes, it was the same thing. One particular experience that stands out was when I took an order for a wedding cake and prepared it, only to realize the venue was in Kadoma, which is far from Harare. The cakes arrived in good condition, but I faced a new challenge when I was told there was no electricity at the venue, and I had buttercream-iced cakes. Working with buttercream in a hot environment was difficult, but I did my best and stacked the cake at the venue. Unfortunately, the cake fell during the reception, but I was surprised by how understanding the guests were. We simply put the cakes in their boxes, and despite the mishap, the guests loved the cake. It was delicious, and I received more than five new customers as a result of that cake.
EDEN DELIGHTS CONTACT DETAILS & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Phone number: +263779 922 691
Facebook: Eden Delights
Email: edendelights@gmail.com
TikTok: Eden Delights
Instagram: Eden Delights
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