In the serene town of Samtse, nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Bhutan, a young entrepreneur, Sonam Choden, has been crafting sweet dreams and delicious memories since 2017 through her homebased bakery, aptly named “Rolling Pin.”

Sonam Choden’s journey into the world of baking began when she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from ICFAI University, located in the tranquil state of Sikkim, India. After college, she faced challenges with the Royal Civil Service Examination (RSCE) and decided to intern at her uncle’s hotel in Thimphu, Bhutan. It was during this time that her love for baking took root.

The turning point came when Sonam discovered a baking course offered by the Ministry of Labor and Human Resources (MOLHR). She enrolled in the course, and within three months, she had acquired the skills necessary to bake delightful creations. She recalls how, when the security deposits from her course were returned, she wasted no time in purchasing the ingredients needed to start her own baking venture.

Sonam’s initial inspiration for baking came from the virtual world. “I take notes on the recipes I see in these videos and try them out when I have the time,” she says. Even during her college days, where cooking wasn’t allowed, friends would supply her with ingredients, and she would assume the role of the chef. However, the dream of starting her own bakery only took shape after her graduation from the Bongdey Institute of Hotel and Tourism in Paro.

She began her baking journey by making cakes at home and posting pictures of her delectable creations on Instagram. Her cousins were the first to place orders, and their enthusiastic reviews and word-ofmouth recommendations fueled her ambition to broaden her horizons. Initially, Sonam started with basic cakes and pizzas, but her skills evolved over time, and she became proficient in making pastries, muffins, cupcakes, and various cakes.

To establish a dedicated online presence for her budding baking business, she created an Instagram page, with the name “Rolling Pin,” a suggestion from her cousin. According to Sonam, “As a BBA student, I knew a quirky name is good marketing. Moreover, the name fits well for a bakery.”

One of her defining moments came when she custom-designed a cake for her niece. Using the first kilo of fondant she purchased, she created a Barbie-inspired cake for her niece’s birthday. Her creation was met with enthusiasm and admiration, prompting her to accept more orders. She admits, “I had to Google YouTube tutorials since I was initially afraid to say yes. I gradually gained confidence.”

The combination of her skills, passion, and creativity has transformed Sonam Choden into a successful entrepreneur. She has not only mastered the art of baking but also the art of marketing through social media. Her growing list of satisfied customers, as well as her expanding menu of delectable treats, is a testament to her determination and unwavering commitment to her newfound passion.

Rolling Pin’s journey has just begun, and with Sonam’s dedication, there is no doubt that the sweet aroma of her creations will continue to tantalize the palates of many more customers in the years to come. Sonam Choden’s story is a reminder that pursuing one’s passion can lead to not only personal fulfillment but also to the realization of one’s dreams.

‘Rolling Pin’ was a home-based business for almost 2 years prior to receiving financing from the Loden Foundation to operate a cafe. However, managing a cafe was a completely different challenge. At the end of the month, she had a ton of bills to pay, so she rarely had time to think about saving. But “Rolling Pin” had evolved into a cash cow for her and her family. “I could help my mother and siblings. Moreover, in the pandemic, I could even train my siblings and my sister went on to open a branch in Wangdue.” She added.

Even though her degree program covered topics like marketing and entrepreneurship, she learned the most important skills from her own experiences. “My biggest achievement has to be when I got to design a cake to celebrate His Majesty’s birthday at the flower exhibition in Samdrup Jongkhar, a chance that I’m truly grateful to the Royal Media Office for bestowing on me. I’d just say that if you have a dream and choose to work hard with determination to pursue it, you’ll definitely hit the gold.” Sonam shared.

In 2022 during the Druk Tshongrig Gatoen, she was awarded the best Loden entrepreneur award, which encouraged her to work harder. She uses social media to interact with potential customers and believes there are many opportunities to market her services on social media. She utilizes social media to promote her brand and goods. The tool she finds most useful for informing people about her business is Instagram, according to her. She continued by mentioning how active she is on social media.

“Every day, I upload photos of my baked goods to Instagram. Since over 80% of Bhutanese people use Facebook and Instagram, I believe adopting social media is a really strategic concept for any business.”

According to Sonam Choden, watching it blossom before your eyes is one of the best parts of investing in a cause for which you have a great deal of enthusiasm. “I used to question whether anyone would even be interested in what I had to offer when I first started my business, but seeing it now and realizing how far I have come is a very satisfying feeling.”

The Rolling Pin produces the usual assortment of birthday cakes, pastries, pizza, burgers, and sandwiches. What distinguishes Rolling Pin from the competition is the addition and ongoing creation of new foods that are well-suited to the Bhutanese palate, such as the spicy ema datshi tart and mushroom datshi tart. Even though she is pleased with her work, she acknowledged that one of her obstacles as a baker was not having access to all of the necessary baking supplies.

“I believe that many bakers will concur with me when I remark that Bhutan does not have access to all of the equipment we require” She spoke. She receives assistance from other outside family members, like her cousins, to obtain the equipment.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of doing what you love and loving what you do. Whether or not you want to do the job makes all the difference in whether or not you succeed in doing the job,” Sonam Choden said. “Life has its challenges, but they’ve only made me stronger. To all the women out there, don’t give up on your dreams. Perseverance and determination can open new doors in life.” She added in
her final note.

By Rinzin Dema