Why I Started a Pancake Business
Making pancakes was something I have always enjoyed doing since 2018. A time in jss3, I started selling a roll for N100 but I could not keep up because I got tired of waking up extra early to sell to my mates, considering the fact I was not making profit at that moment.
I started my actual pancake business few months into the lockdown which got a hold of me. Asides wanting to make quick money from something I enjoy and do, I also wanted to keep busy because I was extremely idle at home and due to Covid 19 protocols, movement was restricted so I had to find something interesting to keep me busy.
Some of my friends started business during lockdown also, which gave me the idea to start mine. Most of them opened kitchens and some were making pastries and baking, so I felt why not!
My siblings are extremely supportive so getting capital to start was not hard for me. I spoke to my sister and brother about it and they all liked the idea and were willing to assist me any way possible. My sister gave me a sum which was more than enough to get started and I began buying immediately. I got some equipment like whiskers and measuring cups, I bought the ingredients i.e flour, sugar, butter and baking powder. My brother was kind enough to get my logo sticker and paper bags.
My business commenced immediately I got everything ready. My first customers were my siblings, which even boosted me. I operated from home because I was just starting up and was not sure how it was going to turn out. I made pickup and delivery an option for convenience but most customers chose delivery because of location.
The business started going smooth at first. My brother was the one in charge of advertising, with the help of his friends also, we were able to reach more people. The first month was not really productive because we were trying to get the business out there so we focused more on advertising. Most of my customers at first were my brothers friends before getting a hold of strangers. I got in contact with a couple of logistic companies to deliver my pancakes to customers. By the second month, I had to make an adjustment to the menu. I sat down with my siblings to re-evaluate the prices so almost anyone would be able to afford a pack. We had unfamiliar people placing orders from around the city metropolis, Kaduna state. Some of the orders were inconvenient for me cause I got called atimes at my lowest/ weakest moments. But as a business woman, you always have to work with time and deliver in order to keep the business running, so I could not decline most orders.
I have to admit, one needs patience in running a business because things always do not come as planned. I envisioned it would be a lot smoother and I was going to cash out but when I started the business, I realized there was more to a business than just taking orders and delivering. Quality control is needed, that is, making sure the taste of my product stay the same at all times. Also, the way customers are treated is extremely important.
I learn that my biggest advertisers are the satisfied customers and the best way to learn and know your mistakes is from the unsatisfied customers. From the feedback I got, I knew a lot of people who tried my pancakes enjoyed it and I was really happy. I was able to make my capital back and more, I repaid my sister 50% of what she gave me and put the rest of the money into the business.
I operated for about three months plus, but it suddenly needed to come to an end when the government fixed a date for resumption. I had to drop everything I was doing in order to prepare for school in such short notice cause it was a new term.
I put the business on hold knowing fully well I could not balance school work and running a business. Both needed time and dedication so, I focused on the one that was most important to me at that time which was my education and actually felt relieved putting the business aside for sometime. As much as I enjoyed making pancakes, I came to realize I was not ready to handle and maintain a business.
