It was great to meet Farha Tanki (A bakery entrepreneur) day before yesterday at Coffee Arabica, Broadway Hotel, Srinagar. She did her schooling from Presentation Convent, Srinagar and then continued with her college in Srinagar itself. She started baking cakes from her home kitchen 5 years back and still doing the same as she just got over with her masters in Dietetics and Clinical nutrition. She was the first one to start with fruit cakes in Kashmir. She always wanted to become self sufficient in life but the way and means to achieve that goal wasnt known but now this has become her life. She says she feels as if shes in a relationship with cake baking. :) Thats the level of passion. When she was in the 2nd year of her undergrad she had gone to Delhi during her breaks so she took up a 1 and a half month course in bakery just to kill time as she always had an inclination towards cakes. She learnt and improved by taking more and more orders and making more and more. She mastered her art by making more. She was never afraid of making a mistake. Her business has spread through the word of mouth. Shes dealing with both middle class and elite society ( corporate houses, politicians) She says Im not bothered about my clients class, Its my cake Im supposed to make it well and then I dont care who takes it. She kick starts her day at 6 a.m. and goes for trekking to Shankara Charaya everyday in the morning as she believes in starting the day peacefully. She keeps on reading , watching bakery videos and reads romantic books. One of her favorite books is Paulo Coelhos Alchemist. Now shes planning to take it to an another level by opening a cafe called SWEET MIX UP as she wants to make it her bread and butter. Shes says more than money its about recognition, identify. Instead of being recognized as someones daughter, wife its always better that people know you because of your work. She keeps thinking about cakes the whole day, even while driving. And she says that she gives individual attention to each & every cake. She says I dont worry about criticism. I take it as a challenge and improve my work. I keep introducing new cakes so people prefer me over others in Kashmir. She was the first one to introduce the fruit cakes in Kashmir so when her competitors started with it she came up with photo cakes. Every time you see criticism say this will not be again so learn from it. People will criticize you but there will be many people to support you too. And I believe only those will criticize you who will be unhappy and unsettled in their lives. They say YOU CANT GIVE WHAT YOU DONT HAVE. HER MESSAGE FOR US - Keep moving and youll always feel happy and good when you are doing something for others and spreading happiness. :)
Posted on: Wed, 18 Jun 2014 07:06:17 +0000