Priyangika took cake business by storm

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

Name brings good luck for many and a great deal of effort is taken to find a suitable name for the new born according to astrological predictions. For Priyangika Malporuge her name bought her fame and good returns as she ventured into wedding related business by forming the Priyangika Malporuge Cake Decorating School in Wattegedara Junction Maharagama.

In a fast moving society, wedding planning has given rise to new business opportunities where services are outsourced in today’s context. Hence the Cake Decorating School was a timely venture where she had the first mover advantage. The soft spoken and attentive Priyangika has won many a customers and her business grew steadily to a remarkable level. Her clientele was never disappointed as the end products delight them and resulted in more orders. She plans her day well and accommodated the orders that she could provide a personalized service to ensure her magical touch in all the beautiful creations.

She was interviewed by Daily News Business. Excerpts of the interview.

Q. How do you describe your line of business?

A. I started Priyangika Malporuge Cake Decorating School in 1998 after following a course in cake and cookery at the Maharagama National Youth Centre. The home science course that I followed was inspirational and this took me a long way. I also followed a number of classes to ensure that I had a comprehensive knowledge before venturing on a commercial basis. Even after marriage I continued classes.

The business had diversified today to include wedding cake structures, wedding cards and boxes where there is a good demand.

The Cake Decorating School imparts knowledge on Wilton icing flowers, fondant wedding cake structures and cake decorating according to international standards. The venture has good business and word of mouth helps me to attract more customers. I advertise on the school periodically to attract students and the response is encouraging. I make it a point to participate in all the exhibitions at the BMICH related to wedding planning as there were more openings through this platform.

Q. How do you manage time to handle your personal life?

A. I consider time management to be critical to run an organized business. I strive to strike a balance between business and my other commitments. This has been always possible due to prior scheduling of my day to day work and at times I am able to accommodate last minute orders as well.

Q. What motivated you to venture into business?

A. There was no organized industry at the time I entered this field. As there were a few in the industry I wanted to make a difference and give the best for my customers. The business picked up well and also there were a number of followers. However, I was able to establish the business and my knowledge played a major role in this.

Q. What are your goals?

A. I have almost reached all my targets. Now I mainly concentrate on making a bright future for my two children. The business functions smoothly and I have dedicated considerable time for my children’s well - being. I have all the necessary material things in the life and the business provides me with the support to face the world with confidence.

Q. How do you face challenges of competition?

A. I face the challenge of competition by innovation and creativity and thereby meeting and exceeding customer expectations by giving an excellent product. This enables me to stand tall among others at present, though there are a number of players in this filed.

Q. What are your plans?

A. There are many housewives idling at home and the productive time could be utilized in a useful manner. I invite them to follow courses such as cake decorating, dress and gift items making. These are good avenues of income generation. I plan to promote this as a cottage industry where women could benefit immensely. This will not only be an income supplement, but a way of using the time productively.

Q. What are your achievements in business?

A. I have provided training and knowledge sharing with a large number who followed my courses. Some of these students have gone a step beyond and have established businesses under their names. They are doing well and it is a pleasure to see them thriving and moving upwards in the social ladder. I have even given on the job training to my students making them involved in my business. This has given confidence as a stepping stone to have their own businesses. It also an achievement to receive good comments and encouraging words from my customers after a perfected product or creation.

Q. What is your message to society?

A. There are key ingredients for a successful completion of a task. They are commitment, ambition, dedication and hard work. One should have abundance of these qualities and it will pave the way to reach any realistic goal. When a job is undertaken , give it 100 percent or more and returns will be rewarding. This winning formula is seldom seen in society and in many instants we wait for others to do our part. This needs to be corrected and we have to work towards prosperity and achieve progress in an ambitious manner.