The role of micro-businesses in the Nigerian economy is gaining more recognition by the day, and Connect Nigeria remains committed to creating awareness. In this interview, McCreamy’z founder, Ugonma Chiori talks to us about growing as a micro-business owner in Nigeria. From events, birthday parties, to everyday people looking to give themselves a treat or surprise a loved one, McCreamy’z offers “the best cupcakes you ever had,” she says.
CN: How would you describe your business?UC: At McCreamy’z Cakes, we love cakes of all kinds, but there is a special place in our hearts for cupcakes. We handcraft our cupcakes in a wide array of gourmet flavours for all kinds of occasions, from wedding cupcakes, to birthday cupcakes, to I-need-to-surprise-the-bae cupcakes, to just-because cupcakes. We bake to order and deliver by hand to our customers all over Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state.
CN: Why did you decide to do this? Why cupcakes?UC: The idea for cupcakes grew out of a shortcoming of most weddings: not everybody got to eat the big pretty wedding cake. Sometimes, they’d slice the cake up into tiny bits and pass it around, but still, not everyone got to have a piece, so the idea of having a cupcake/dessert table at an event so everyone would have these beautiful cakes, as much as they wanted, just grew on me. Plus, I kind of love to see people eat cupcakes, and I totally enjoy baking them. They are a lot more fun to bake than other cake sizes. Again, anyone can bake a cake and cover it in icing sugar, but not everyone can bake a cake people want to eat. The beauty of a cake should not be in the icing; it should be in the taste. So I decided to specialize in, and focus on making the best cupcakes in the world. I also bake large-size cakes, but I am more about cupcakes.
CN: Do you have any formal training in catering?UC: I grew up in a family where the women were bakers. I was born with baking skills coded into my genes. My grandmother was a baker like no other, my mother too, but they weren’t commercial. It was just the natural thing for me to do, for profit…as an Igbo chick (Igbo kwenu!)
However, it makes sense to fine-tune a skill that comes naturally, so I enrolled in a bakery school and got some formal training. Every now and then, I still go for such trainings because one must keep abreast of current cake trends and network with other bakers, and share ideas.
CN: Who is your business aimed at and how do you reach them?UC: My business is aimed at those people who know and appreciate great baking, confectionery or baked goods. Most of our new jobs come through referrals from satisfied customers.
CN: What has been the response from customers so far?UC: The response so far has been very encouraging, and it’s what keeps us going sometimes. At first, I thought the prices—because excellent baking doesn’t come cheap—would affect patronage, but surprisingly, it didn’t and still doesn’t. When your product is good, and you combine it with exceptional service, by God’s grace people will pay for it.
CN: What sets McCreamy’z cupcakes apart from all others?UC: We always, always give value for money. I usually tell people that, if I ask them to pay a million naira for a single cupcake, they will get value for their money. I’d like to think that most of our clients have come to believe that promise. Our cakes are baked with premium ingredients and nothing less; we don’t skimp on quality to save costs. We don’t cut corners. People come to us because they want the best cupcakes they can afford, and that is what we give them. At McCreamy’z, great emphasis is placed on quality, even down to the seemingly insignificant things that are merely incidental to the baking process. Excellence has always been our watchword. That won’t change any time soon, for as long as we remain in business.
CN: If you could go back to the beginning, what would you do differently?UC: Pay more attention to the small details and keep focus on quality. When I started out baking, I was in a hurry to sell my cakes, you know, to just get my cakes out there. Initially, I didn’t pay so much attention to quality, which means my first cakes weren’t that fantastic. I actually shudder when I think of them.
CN: What role has the internet played in building your business?UC: Well, it’s how most people find us. Most people who call me up to order cakes, I have never met them before. 90% of them are from Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. They see pictures of my cupcakes. My business isn’t really “out there” as it should be, and that is something I’m working on. I really don’t tweet a lot about my business, but it is pleasantly surprising how the referrals keep coming, and how strangers refer me to other people who need my services. The internet has had a positive impact on my business.
CN: What is your long-term vision for McCreamy’z?UC: We want to become the most sought after “cupcakery” in Nigeria. We are building a brand, and our efforts will pay off soon. You know how when people think of seasoning cubes, they automatically think ‘Maggi’ even when they are buying another product? Yes. We want McCreamy’z to become the cupcake equivalent of that. We plan to have a walk-in place called McCreamy’z Cakes, a place where you can come to indulge all your cupcake fantasies… cupcakes and desserts as far as the eye can see, in different flavours and colours. Our core products will remain cupcakes, waffles, coffee and ice cream. We want to grow to that point where, one day, we become big enough to sell franchises.
CN: What’s your advice to would-be entrepreneurs?UC: That idea, that dream? Don’t be afraid to start small. I started this business with N3,000 frying chin-chin. Do not be afraid of small beginnings. Don’t be afraid to get dirty. Don’t be afraid of hardship and don’t be afraid of failing. Be passionate about whatever it is you are doing. Trust in God, aim for excellence; one day, you will get there.
Twitter: @McCreamyzCakes
Phone: 08022520485
Click here to contact Mc Creamy’z Cakes directly
