Who is Ayesha Akhtar, could you please introduce yourself?

My name is Ayesha Akhtar. I am a Certified Pastry Artist/Chocolatier & Founder of Passion Bake Inc.

What is your business and when did you start?

Passion Bake is a custom bakery where I use my years of experience and creativity in curating handcrafted edible pieces of art from sweet to savoury. I started the journey of Passion Bake in April 2020.

What inspired you to start your business?

My passion for baking goes back a long way. I have been an avid baker and a passionate culinary creator for close to 15 years. Four years ago, we moved to Oakville from San Diego, California, for my husband’s work. That is when I decided to put my passion to works. My husband is the driving force behind my passion. I decided to go back to school and become a Certified Pastry Chef. I also traveled to Italy and France to enhance my expertise in Pastry Arts and Chocolate. I recently completed my Master’s in Advanced Chocolate & Confectionery.

What were the challenges in the initial stages of your business and how did you overcome them?

I started my business when I graduated from the Baking & Pastry Arts Program. Later I got accepted into the Master’s Program. I decided to continue with my Master’s Program and work full-time simultaneously. My business was at the stage where I could not turn down the customers. The biggest challenge I faced was managing time between home, full-time school and full-time work. 

What motivates you about your business?

Consistently coming up with new ideas. Creating new recipes and bringing a new product to the table.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?

Do not wait for the right time to start your business. Take the time and make it right.

Interesting fact most of the people do not know about you?

If you can imagine it, I can create it.

The best business advice I ever received was…

Invest in Marketing.

My definition of success is…

having confidence in your abilities and do what you love.

If I could go back in time when I started my business, I would tell myself to…

I should have started long ago.

Three books I recommend for entrepreneurs are…

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Eat that Frog by Brian Tracy

My personal tagline is…

Passion Bake is my bespoke affair where everything is hand-crafted with love.