From Dream to Reality – Building a Sweet Legacy

           Welcome to the story of Kawaii Cakes, my cake shop born from love for my daughter, and a bold decision to chase a new dream. In my first blog (https://kawaiicakesonlinecakedelivery.blogspot.com/2025/04/from-sailing-seas-to-sweet-dreams-birth.html ), I shared how I left my career as a ship officer and chose the name Kawaii Cakes,. Now, I’ll take you through how I started this bakery near VIT Chennai, from finding a shop to our exciting opening on November 16, 2020. Whether you are a cake lover or passionate to chase your dream, this story is for you! 

 Finding the Perfect Spot for Kawaii Cakes

After leaving my sailing job in 2019, I spent a month enjoying precious time with my wife and daughter. Then, I began searching for a shop to start Kawaii Cakes. I wanted a lively spot, like near a bus stand or a college, because I remembered how we celebrated birthdays with cakes during my own college days. I focused on areas near VIT Chennai University, which was close to my home. 

Finding a shop wasn’t easy. It was September 2020, and the COVID-19 lockdown had left VIT empty. All the shops on the main road were already taken. After weeks of looking, I found a small, east-facing shop about 300 meters from VIT’s main gate. It was a bit off the main road, but I believed students would visit once college reopened. I discussed it with Ramanna, my childhood friend who’s like a brother and my business partner, and my brother-in-law, my sister’s husband. They had some doubts about the location, but I felt confident it was the right choice, so I reserved it. 

Setting Up Kawaii Cakes on a Budget

Starting a cake shop was a big step, especially since I had never baked before. Ramanna, who had been running his own cake shop (SriRam Cakes) since 2015, estimated it would cost ₹6.5–7.5 lakh to set up. I was nervous about spending so much, so I planned carefully and kept costs under ₹5 lakh. Here’s how we did it: 

Equipment: We bought a small baking oven that could bake 5 cakes at a time, a mixer, and a cake display counter. These were basic models with only a 6-month service warranty, but they were affordable. Since icing needs a cool room, I purchased a used 1-ton AC from OLX. 

Shop Design: I kept the interiors simple, buying budget-friendly materials from Parrys Corner, a popular market in Chennai for bakery supplies. I visited every shop and only bought items I was sure about.

Supplies: From flour to decorations, I chose everything carefully to save money. 

 Ramanna’s experience guided me, and my years as a sailor gave me the courage to try something new, even without baking knowledge.

 

 The Challenge of Building a Team

Hiring the right people was tough. I needed an icing chef to decorate & Customize cakes and a sales assistant to manage the shop and keep it clean. Many applicants weren’t passionate about their work—they just wanted a paycheck. With our opening date set for November 16, 2020, I was running out of time. 

I didn’t know how to bake or decorate cakes, but my sailing career taught me I could learn anything with determination. Ramanna said baking was simple if I was eager to learn, so I planned to teach myself later. For now, I needed an icing expert. We tested several candidates at Ramanna’s cake shop in Neelangarai, but none impressed us. With only 5 days left, we hired a sales assistant with no experience and an icing chef we didn’t even test. It was a risky decision, but we had no other options.

 

A Hectic Day Before the Grand Opening 

The day before our opening, November 15, 2020, was chaotic. Heavy rain caused power cuts, and our electric oven couldn’t work without electricity. We wasted two batches of cake sponge because of this. Ramanna started baking and taught me recipes, which I wrote down in a notebook. The icing chef was supposed to arrive at 2 PM but showed up at 7 PM due to the rain. When he began decorating, we could see he wasn’t skilled. Another power cut stopped us again. 

Frustrated, Ramanna sent the icing chef home and took charge. From 10:30 PM to 2 AM, he decorated 20 stunning cakes with beautiful garnishes. Without Ramanna’s hard work, our opening day would have been a disaster. He truly saved the shop!

 

The Joyful Opening of Kawaii Cakes 

On November 16, 2020, Kawaii Cakes opened its doors! We decorated the entrance with a balloon arch, and my father cut the ribbon to mark the occasion. A few friends and relatives came to celebrate with us. Our first customer, a friendly man from a nearby clothing shop, bought a Black Forest pastry. By the end of the day, every cake in our display was sold out! It was an incredible moment, and I owe it all to Ramanna’s talent and support. 

Join the Kawaii Cakes Family

Thank you for reading my story! At Kawaii Cakes, we make cakes that bring smiles, from custom birthday cakes to delicious pastries. If you’re near VIT Chennai, Kandigai, Mambakkam, or anywhere in Kelambakkam to Vandalore Road, visit us or order online at www.kawaiicakes.in. Want a chocolate cake, red velvet cake, or something totally unique? We’ve got it all!

What’s your favorite cake flavor, or have you ever chased a big dream? Tell us in the comments or stop by our shop to share your story. Let’s make every day sweeter together!

Order Now: Visit www.kawaiicakes.in or drop by Kawaii Cakes near VIT Chennai for a delicious treat