It’s difficult these days to take a mindless scroll through Instagram without seeing these incredible cake-making pages, where each design is as outstanding as the last and leaving you wondering how it is simply just a cake…and whether anyone dare to cut into it because it’s too good to destroy. I love these pages. I cannot get enough. The people behind such creations are truly talented, with a gift of crafting works of art that befit their customer’s expectations and wants for the aesthetics, as well as making something delicious and tasty at the same time. Such a person is Anita Chughtai of Miss Muffet – The Unique Cake Boutique.
Of course, once I got in touch with Anita I HAD to find out her story. I’m obsessed with people who manage to turn their hobby into a full time career – people who can find success in their passion and play on their strengths. Making cakes for a living? Talk about living your best life! If you’re considering following suit, here is what Anita had to say on how she founded her own cake company in Singapore, and the steps it took to get here.
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Please tell me a brief intro about you…
I have a particular eclectic and off beat style which I indulge in my two businesses. My first company is a luxury cake business, Miss Muffet – The Unique Cake Boutique. Here I use my love of patterns to create on-trend Signature Style cakes, Word Cloud cakes and my own invention, Colouring Cakes. I am soon to add a line of gifting biscuits which I am very excited about. I celebrate 11 years since my first cake this year, so very proud!
My second business which allows me to indulge my love of pattern and florals is Tablestyle by Anita. The only business of its kind in Singapore, I create table styling collections for order exclusively through mailing list. With limited collections each season I keep my finger on the pulse of what is trending on the tablescape scene in London and around the world and bring it to Singapore.
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What made you get into this occupation?
It was accidental really, I made a cake for my son for his 1st birthday and from then on I literally had orders every week. I quickly set up that business and I never expected it to become what it has today, with multiple products and a sister company to complement it.
Has this been your dream occupation since you were a little girl? If not, what was your original career goals and dreams?
Ironically even though I have been baking since I was a child, the idea of it ever being a career/business didn’t occur to me. I knew I wanted to do something creative and I wanted to pour my heart and soul into it so much that whatever it was, I did it with great care and excellence.
Did you have to go through education to get to where you are, or did you work your way up?
My first business started organically. There was no strategy at the beginning. I learnt everything by watching and listening and experimenting. This is true for my product and for the business, the social media, the marketing, the admin, accounting, business development. Since I decided to take my business up a notch I have found both running ideas by a mentor and taking an entrepreneurial workshop invaluable. Starting the second business is a breeze after struggling to find answers the first time around.
What kind of obstacles have you met along the way to reach where you are today?
Moving my business from London to Singapore brought a whole host of problems. The humidity is terrible for cakes and fondant in particular.
Were your friends / family supportive of your career choices?
Family yes, they have supported me whichever way I have turned, my parents, sisters, husband and children are my biggest fans. Friends is a more complex question. We collect friends at different moments in our lives, we all grow at our own pace and direction so we intercept for a brief period. Most are thrilled to see me thriving and celebrate every success with me, others find it difficult that I am not as available any more. That is not something I had anticipated when I chose to invest in myself and my business.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
Getting to know my clients. Speaking to them, solving their problems, giving them ideas that they get excited about. Looking at their idea from another angle and developing it into something personal for them. I love hearing how what I created made them feel and how I reflected who they are in the final product.
What’s your least favourite part of your job?
Working every weekend. I love what I do and I love being creative but it all comes at a cost, that cost is the time I am away from my boys at the weekend.
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What is your best life lesson you’ve learnt on your journey?
Be you. I always had a strong sense of ‘me’ growing up, I was always the one a little off-the-wall, non-conformist, wanted something different from life. I was the square peg in a round hole. I found it difficult to find a place to be ‘me’. Once I physically moved myself away from that framework I was able to thrive and realised I could choose my world to fit around who I am.
Have you ever had any doubts or considered giving up?
A couple of years ago on my birthday I re-evaluated what I had achieved and what life could look like without Miss Muffet. I realised I didn’t want to keep the status quo any more. I was very pleased with my achievements but I was working a lot and I was exhausted; BUT I was capped unless I made huge strides. I either had to throw myself all in or leave the party. This was the closest I came to giving up.
I decided to take a huge step and open a studio to carry on creating, baking and teaching. At which point I had a moment of self-doubt. My stomach was in knots, I was anxious, I was questioning why I was taking this step and what if it all came crashing down around me? Then a dear friend put it into perspective. It’s like doing a bungy jump (I did one earlier this year in NZ). I was standing at the edge looking down and this was exactly the feeling I had. The minute I jumped that feeling changed to one of elation and exhilaration. She was absolutely right.
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How do you juggle work life and home life – any tips on ensuring both are a positive space?
I am not great at juggling this, it is very difficult to maintain boundaries when you work from home. It has been my new year resolution for the last few years to have working hours. I have just collected the keys to my new studio space so I am hoping this will help me leave work at work. Making both places positive space comes down to each being a beautiful space for me. I enjoy spending time at home and I once my studio is renovated it will be a beautiful space for me to create in.
Do you ever struggle to get through the working week, if so how do you power on?
I struggle at the weekend, I love working and I love being with my kids. I grew up with immigrant parents in 70’s Britain, they worked incredibly hard to achieve what they created for us (me and my sisters) which is a stable, inviting, comfortable family. The sacrifice was the time that we spent together, every time I say, “let me just get this done then we can play”, “I am all yours as soon as this cake is complete”, it takes me back to when those words were said to me and how I felt. That conflict is always there when my kids are home. When I am with them though, the time is their’s, the phone is in the other room so all distractions are minimised. Being present is very important.
If you could go back to your 18 year old self and give one piece of life advice, what would it be and why?
Toni Morrison said it exactly right, “If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.” Essentially don’t wait for things to happen or think if people don’t do it, then it must be wrong. Just do it, if it makes sense to you – get up and do it, people will follow.
What does the next 5 years look like for you?
This is a great question, I have set that as my goal to have created a business (now maybe two) that will run itself. I am giving the next five years to make or break that dream. If I achieve it, AMAZING. If it all crashes down around my ears I will be very happy I tried. To not have achieved it because I didn’t try is not an option.
Keep up with Anita’s journey and follow her on: @missmuffetcakeboutique @tablestyle_by_Anita
