A business management graduate, Simran Fernandes, ventured into baking, starting her own small business as a self-taught hobby baker specialising in creating special custom cakes, cookies, and cupcakes for various occasions, including birthdays and weddings. Combining her professional skills and passion for baking, she is all set to focus on growth in her career both as a social media marketer and a baker
A passionate baker and a social media marketer, Simran Fernandes combines her love for creating engaging content with her baking skills, and strives to build a fulfilling career in both fields. “My goal is to keep expanding while continuously learning and evolving. Aside from my work, I’m a huge animal lover, a plant enthusiast, with my home filled with greenery to keep me inspired and grounded,” shares the 24-year-old from Siolim.
Running her own cake and bake business since 2019, Simran ventured into the social media marketing field a year ago, gradually building expertise in content creation, strategy, and community engagement. She creates engaging content, plans marketing campaigns, manages social media accounts, and focuses on growing an online presence for brands. “My goal is to build communities and create brand loyalty through various content formats like posts, reels, stories, and engagement strategies. It’s about aligning brand messaging with what the audience enjoys interacting with,” she shares.
So far, Simran has worked on various assignments spanning several industries, including automobile, hospitality, lifestyle, and food. She has helped businesses build a strong social media presence through creative storytelling, influencer collaborations, and consistent engagement. She admits, “My portfolio may not be extensive yet, but each project has been a learning experience that has sharpened my skills and improved my strategic approach.”
Social media management offers her a stable form of pay as a full-time job, and finds satisfaction in helping businesses grow and making them reach wider audiences. “The fulfillment that comes from seeing her strategies produce tangible results is priceless. Plus, it’s rewarding to see communities from around the brands I work with, especially when followers resonate with the content I create,” she adds.
How does this work out? Simran works with brands to understand their objectives and design campaigns that align with their vision. She develops content calendars and monitors engagement metrics to ensure the strategy is working effectively. According to her it’s not just about posting content; it's about creating a long-term connection with the audience and making sure the brand's voice stays authentic while delivering on its promises.
She embraced this field because she was always interested in studying how digital content influences people’s behaviour. “Social media is such a powerful tool, and I knew that combining creativity and strategy would be an exciting challenge. As I explored the field, I realised that I could help brands succeed online, which motivated me to dive deeper into the world of social media marketing,” she explains.
But as like any other field this has its own risks too. There are risks, such as platform algorithm changes, fluctuating engagement, or investing in strategies that don’t yield immediate results. Social media is constantly evolving, so keeping up with trends and adapting strategies is crucial. Also, it’s important to be flexible and have a good understanding of what works and what doesn’t for a particular brand to mitigate these risks.
While promoting brands and products, Simran focuses on creating compelling stories through visuals and text, interacting with followers, using social media advertisements, and collaborating with influencers or community pages. It’s all about crafting the right narrative that resonates with the audience. She uses a combination of organic content, paid promotions, and consistent engagement to increase brand visibility and drive conversions. She has worked across various sectors, including automotive, food, and hospitality.
“It’s been a great journey combining my love for baking with my marketing skills. Through this business, I’ve been able to express my creativity, not just in baking, but also in presenting my products in ways that attract customers,” smiles this young entrepreneur whose menu includes a variety of cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and healthy, sugar-free options.
“I offer cakes made with sugar-free ingredients and jaggery-based desserts, replacing refined sugar for those who prefer a healthier indulgence. My custom cakes are particularly popular for weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations, where each one is personalised to the client’s preferences,” she vouches.
Orders are received through Simran’s social media pages, WhatsApp, and referrals from satisfied customers. She has found that social media has played a huge role in growing her customer base. A lot of her clients come through recommendations or after seeing her work online. Accepting orders from across the State, she sees that her products are delivered in perfect condition. Sometimes she likes to go the extra mile with her deliveries.
Bulk orders for events such as weddings, birthdays, corporate parties, and festivals are exciting as they allow her to be a part of a larger celebration and showcase versatility. Handling her business single-handedly can be overwhelming, but rewarding too.
Seasonal themes such as Christmas, Easter, Diwali, and custom themes like kids' birthday parties, allow Simran to tap into her creativity and offer unique treats that are not only delicious but also festive. The peak season is typically around Christmas, New Year, and during the wedding season. The products are priced – cakes range - ₹500 - ₹3000, cookies cost - ₹200 - ₹500 per box and cupcakes - ₹150 - ₹500 per set. The range of sweet treats include custom cakes for wedding, birthday, and festive occasions, cookies like chocolate chip, oatmeal etc and cupcakes including Chocolate, Hazelnut, Piña Colada, Red Velvet, Blueberry Cheesecake, Tiramisu among others.
“I’m very attentive to my customers’ needs, carefully considering their allergies and preferences. I prioritise using the finest ingredients, ensuring that my cakes are crafted without compromising on quality. Whenever possible, I incorporate organic and locally sourced ingredients,” she discloses.
With the growing focus on health-conscious food, custom desserts, and digital marketing opportunities for growth are many. Increasing demand for personalised services in both social media marketing and the baking industry creates endless possibilities for innovation. Simran’s challenges include staying updated with trends, balancing creativity with strategy, managing client expectations, and ensuring consistent engagement but they keep her motivated and push towards improvisation.
