Every season is cookie season. That’s why Phurpa, a cake artesian which makes you snap to attention with their chewy centers and sugar-speckled tops. Her pure bliss bites beckon, each batch taking more than an hours to make because precision takes time. Chocolate cakes are caramelize and various design perfected simplicity that are welcome in any lunchbox or cookie platter.
A young entrepreneur, Phurpa Dema from Merak has over 3 years of experience working in baking. Now she is the founder of Phurpa Bliss’s Bite (PBB), a baker who bakes cake and pastries located at Merak, Trashigang.A class twelve graduate, Phurpa embarked in providing fresh and delicious pastries in an affordable price. Established in 2022 with the intention that people of Merak don’t have to travel faraway mainly for the pastries during occasion.
Phurpa’s Bliss Bite is in the center of Merak village which will be accessible to all residents of the community. Since this kind of shop is the first of its kind in Phurpa’s village, it will really help the local people as they need to travel for many days to reach similar shops. It cater various cakes and pastries to residents of Merak and Gengu.
“It’s been a year since I’ve been at my home town and me already keeping interest making treats. Cakes, other pastries.” There was always something to be concocted and it was a breeze. Making cakes after dinner isn’t as easy when I have no proper ingredients on hand and spatula, cake pan on the kitchen. Obtaining a loan from the Loden foundation satisfies those requirements.
“Yes, I could easily buy all these things. But that doesn’t make much sense seeing as I am living here in Merak and kitchen utensils aren’t exactly what I want to. It is the blessing from kenchosum that I perfected this lovely recipe for cake bliss bites. They require baking and ingredients can be changed up
according to what you have on hand, as long as you keep the wet to dry ratio about the same. They work great as a pre or post workout snack or as a sweet anytime treat to satisfy that unrelenting sweet tooth. And, they’re wholesome, healthy and filling, so you won’t need more than one.”
Mix wet ingredients in bowl until creamy and well blended. Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl, then add to wet and use hands to knead to thoroughly combine. Fold in food colors + chocolate. Scoop out tablespoon size portions and roll into one-inch balls using your hands to create a bite-sized treat, Refrigerate or freeze. When Phurpa completed the training provided by the UNDP, her journeys became more driven. Most importantly, her sister-in-law’s continued passion for baking served as her greatest source of inspiration. Instead of losing interest in baking, she encouraged Phurpa to use it as a means of achieving her objectives.
The hurdles of being an entrepreneur, she said, “are significant. When starting a business in a rural area, the majority of individuals just consider low prices. So competing against it is quite difficult. Furthermore, buying the utensils are not easily affordable. The low market is a result of selling pastries for more money. Additionally, the locals used to criticize the company and compare the prices to those in Trashigang. From one location to another, prices greatly vary. People always bring their negative attitudes with them.” She added.
Moreover, several villagers used to support her by providing positive feedback. “Running a business is not so easy; we must deal with ups and downs,” she asserts. Some people once believed that businesses would always be profitable but they were unaware of the significant obstacles that success faced. Phurpa doesn’t face many marketing issues because many stores used to stock pastries in large quantities. More significantly, special events were when she sold the most of her pastries.
She initially came across a lot of elderly people who were passionate about baking, and they have been
her invaluable resources throughout my adventure. Phurpa views her sister-in-law as a role model. She
advised her to pick the brain of her friend, a pastry chef, for more information. Phurpa was chosen after submitting her business proposal to the Loden Foundation, and she now owns her own business.
“Balancing risk taking with careful planning and decision making is crucial in business. It’s important to carefully analyze the potential risks and rewards of any decision before taking action. This involve gathering data, conducting market research, and consulting with experts. By understanding the potential risks and rewards, you can make informed decisions that maximize your chance of success while minimizing unnecessary risks.’’ She added.
Design thinking and task management are necessary for time management. In the end, she realized that time was valuable and that she never wasted it, in contrast to her earlier tendency to fill her free time with other chores. Being the finest in her field and offering her clients high-quality pastries are Phurpa’s top priorities. She enjoys doing experiments where she may be creative and take risks. She used to compete against herself, and the results of her inherent abilities helped her achieve her aspirations.
Phurpa mention, “Identifying and evaluating new business opportunities requires a combination of research, analysis, and intuition. It’s important to stay updated on industry trends, market demands, and emerging technologies. When evaluating opportunities, I consider factors like market size, competition, potential profitability and alignment with my business’s mission and values. On top of that, I rely on my intuition and natural feelings to assess if an opportunity feels right for my business.”
For long term success, it is crucial to continue establishing and nurturing connections with investors. Building confidence, communicating openly and keeping promises are all goals for Phurpa. Face to face meetings, progress reports and regular updates serve to keep stakeholders informed and involved. When appropriate, it’s vital to thank them for their support and include them in decision making process.
According to Phurpa, an entrepreneur should have a clear vision, have confidence in themselves, and be willing to put in a lot of effort. Make sure you have a solid support system around you, including mentors who can offer advice and encouragement. Accept failure as a chance to learn and be openminded. Maintain your focus, persevere despite difficulties, and never stop learning and developing.
The future of entrepreneurship is exciting and filled with possibilities. Phurpa believes that technology will continue to play a major role in shaping the entrepreneurial landscape. In addition, sustainability and social responsibility will become increasingly important considerations for entrepreneur. The ability to innovate, adapt, and embrace change will be crucial for success in the ever-evolving entrepreneurial landscape.
By Rinzin Dema
