Business Description
Simply Sweet by TrinaB is a community based cakery that creates custom cakes and exotic pastries for all any occasion. I decided to start my business when I sat with my daughter at a neighborhood snow-cone shop one afternoon. I realized then how necessary it was to have more community based businesses that brought neighbors and families together, I thought back to my childhood and how much I loved to bake. I am able to transform all the flavors of my childhood in to delicious deserts that allow people to explore different cultures through taste. The biggest challenge I face is finding affordable space in a walk-able community. Because my customer base is primarily families I want to remain very accessible to the community. The goal is for Simply Sweet by Trina B to become a hub for the community. Where families can stop by after dinner or soccer games for a sweet treat or place an order for a custom cake for their special celebration. A place to share information about community events and rally neighbors and friends together. Due to the diversity in flavors and pastries customers in the community ad everywhere will feel a sense of home and connect with my business.
What is the purpose of this loan?
This Kiva loan will be vital to helping me grow my business in several ways. I will be able to secure an additional oven that will allow me to increase my productivity and ultimately my customer base to make my business grow. The oven will cost $1500. In addition, I will also purchase needed tools such as 2 new cooling racks and trays for a combined $300, edible imaging printers and supplies $400, air brush machine and inks $200, storage shelving $300 and $400 miscellaneous tools such as stencils, textured rolling pins and fondant cutters. I will spend $1,500 for a website and marketing initiatives to increase brand loyalty and customer base as well as $100 for uniforms. Lastly I would use the remaining $2500 for inventory and working capital. By having the necessary tools at hand I will be able to accept larger orders. Also I will readily have the tools needed to do more detail cakes. This will increase my current revenue by 100 percent. Currently I am limited to the number or orders I can accept based on my current equipment. These tools will allow me to work with multiple customers at a time. The increase revenue will allow my family financial independence and the additional ability to contribute positively to our community by being able to work with the schools and community agencies that we cannot currently due to their large orders. Our community needs to see that the business they support also supports them. This loan will allow us to do that.