This archive report was first published on 18 August 2021.
Published on August 18, 2021, Pastry Palace, one of Nairobi's few exclusive pastry shops, has been making waves in the Kenyan market with its unique offerings.
Valerie Ndegwa, the Swiss-trained owner and founder of Pastry Palace, took us through her journey of what it took her to start her own business.
According to Ndegwa, the idea to start Pastry Palace came about when she was working in Abu Dhabi. She noticed a gap in the Kenyan market where pastries were not readily available for everyone at an affordable price.
'I already had a business plan from my school project so it was not that hard for me to start,' Ndegwa said.
Pastry Palace has been slow to pick up in the local market, with a reserve of big brands dominating the industry. However, passionate entrepreneurs like Ndegwa are now stepping into this space and incorporating more delicious treats aside from bread.
One of the key challenges Ndegwa faced when she first opened and still faces now is getting suppliers. 'We don’t really have that huge market of suppliers when it comes to raw materials like almond flakes that we use a lot in our cakes,' she said.
Another challenge Ndegwa faces is what to do with the pastries that remain because they only sell fresh products every day.
As an employer, Ndegwa focuses on experience when hiring. 'I feel like not everybody has been given the same opportunity and within my industry is all about experience and the work ethic,' she said.
Pastry Palace has a competitive edge due to its customisable menu and one-on-one experience with customers.
Ndegwa's advice to other women looking to start their own businesses is to just start. 'If you don’t start, how will you ever know? But be prepared for many obstacles you’ll face because it always looks so easy from the outside,' she said.
