Baking up a storm
The team at Bella’s Cake Studio in Oshakati have been producing delicious cakes and cake jars.
MARISELLE STOFBERG
From buttercream to fondant, from everyday cakes to cake jars, from simple to extravagant, the team at Bella’s Cake Studio have proven that they have all the ingredients needed to run a successful cake shop.
The 27-year-old Isabella Dala and her two sisters, Marian Dala and Geodina Dala, used their love for baking and excellent teamwork to take their home business to the next level. In April this year the trio finally managed to open their very own cake studio in Oshakati.
Since 2016 this dream team has been whipping up magical creations from their home and are now taking the north of the country by storm.
“We hope to become the go-to bakers in the north and become a household name in the whole of the north. I want to be able to employ more people apart from my family members and create job opportunities to help others in my community,” says owner Isabella.
“What inspired me to open the studio was the thought of turning my passion into a career. Currently we are four employed, but we also have five little helpers at home who help with mixing and daily chores. This is family effort and we are enjoying every moment of this journey.”
The team bakes cakes for all occasions and also provides baking training to anybody who wants to join the baking industry.
“At the moment we have normal everyday cakes, our famous cake jars, and can offer anything from plain to extravagant, depending on the needs of our customers,” Isabella says.
Each member of the team brings something unique to the table. Geodina is the fondant decorator who is disciplined and responsible. Marina goes by the title The Buttercream Specialist and with her humble nature and creativity, she is a valuable addition to the team.
Isabella is the baker of the team and provides the canvas for the rest to decorate and to add their flair and sparkle.
“I love to bake and might possibly also be a sleep baker. I am an optimist and a chance taker and together we create magic. Above all, our differences are what makes it possible to run the studio smoothly,” Isabella says.
Their very first orders were a unicorn cake and a black cake. “I swear that was one day I will never forget. What we have learned from those very first orders are to take time and to never rush an order. If a customer can’t be patient and wait for a cake that was ordered late, then it’s okay for you to say no and not take the order.”
Baking has always been a part of Isabella’s life. “It’s safe to say that my mother has taught me well. She has been my greatest motivator and my mentor, and she also loves to bake. Growing up, we never had a cake from the shop. She always made us mix it up and from there, curiosity kicked in.” This sparked the passion of the Dala sisters that has played a big role in their success.
Isabella believes that what sets a baker apart is patience and a lot of hard work. “Baking takes a lot of time. You need lots of practice and you need the right tools. You don’t have to go to 20 baking classes to be a great baker. You just need to practise and love what you do,” she says.
On average the team receives a minimum of five orders per day. “With the help of our everyday cakes, we are happy to announce that we have a budget for everyone. All the orders we have received lately have been quite extravagant but having to make an eight-piece wedding cake has been one of the toughest orders we had.
“We are the first of our kind in the history of baking in Oshakati. I personally think that any studio needs to have proper receiving services and the product produced should taste as good as it looks.”
This cake studio has a promising future and will soon be the proverbial buttercream on everyone’s lips.
From buttercream to fondant, from everyday cakes to cake jars, from simple to extravagant, the team at Bella’s Cake Studio have proven that they have all the ingredients needed to run a successful cake shop.
The 27-year-old Isabella Dala and her two sisters, Marian Dala and Geodina Dala, used their love for baking and excellent teamwork to take their home business to the next level. In April this year the trio finally managed to open their very own cake studio in Oshakati.
Since 2016 this dream team has been whipping up magical creations from their home and are now taking the north of the country by storm.
“We hope to become the go-to bakers in the north and become a household name in the whole of the north. I want to be able to employ more people apart from my family members and create job opportunities to help others in my community,” says owner Isabella.
“What inspired me to open the studio was the thought of turning my passion into a career. Currently we are four employed, but we also have five little helpers at home who help with mixing and daily chores. This is family effort and we are enjoying every moment of this journey.”
The team bakes cakes for all occasions and also provides baking training to anybody who wants to join the baking industry.
“At the moment we have normal everyday cakes, our famous cake jars, and can offer anything from plain to extravagant, depending on the needs of our customers,” Isabella says.
Each member of the team brings something unique to the table. Geodina is the fondant decorator who is disciplined and responsible. Marina goes by the title The Buttercream Specialist and with her humble nature and creativity, she is a valuable addition to the team.
Isabella is the baker of the team and provides the canvas for the rest to decorate and to add their flair and sparkle.
“I love to bake and might possibly also be a sleep baker. I am an optimist and a chance taker and together we create magic. Above all, our differences are what makes it possible to run the studio smoothly,” Isabella says.
Their very first orders were a unicorn cake and a black cake. “I swear that was one day I will never forget. What we have learned from those very first orders are to take time and to never rush an order. If a customer can’t be patient and wait for a cake that was ordered late, then it’s okay for you to say no and not take the order.”
Baking has always been a part of Isabella’s life. “It’s safe to say that my mother has taught me well. She has been my greatest motivator and my mentor, and she also loves to bake. Growing up, we never had a cake from the shop. She always made us mix it up and from there, curiosity kicked in.” This sparked the passion of the Dala sisters that has played a big role in their success.
Isabella believes that what sets a baker apart is patience and a lot of hard work. “Baking takes a lot of time. You need lots of practice and you need the right tools. You don’t have to go to 20 baking classes to be a great baker. You just need to practise and love what you do,” she says.
On average the team receives a minimum of five orders per day. “With the help of our everyday cakes, we are happy to announce that we have a budget for everyone. All the orders we have received lately have been quite extravagant but having to make an eight-piece wedding cake has been one of the toughest orders we had.
“We are the first of our kind in the history of baking in Oshakati. I personally think that any studio needs to have proper receiving services and the product produced should taste as good as it looks.”
This cake studio has a promising future and will soon be the proverbial buttercream on everyone’s lips.
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