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A passion for creativity and a neighbour's word-of-mouth referrals soon saw Sumaira Rahim starting a cake business she'd not previously foreseen as part of her life. Now she is full swing with her business Obsession The Cake Hub, delighting her customers with her beautiful creations.

How did your sweet journey begin?

Starting a cake business was never planned. But yes, I have always loved baking and decorating and used to bake cakes for my family on special occasions or their birthdays. Later, I started watching YouTube tutorials on decorating cakes and started trying out those tips & tricks.

One day, one of my neighbours saw the picture of a cake that I made for my son’s birthday on my WhatsApp status and she liked it so much that she asked me to make one for her husband's birthday. That was my first paid order! They loved the taste of my cake and how I decorated it the way she wanted it to be. Then, I started getting orders from her referral and slowly and gradually my business started to grow.

2. What has starting your own business meant for you?

It was quite challenging at the start as I did not know anything about how to start a business, client handling, managing time with work and family etc. But now it has become a passion as I have always loved creativity and something innovative in whatever I want to make. Baking and most importantly decorating cakes, cupcakes and cookies are truly like a platform where I can express and enhance my creativity skills.

3. What have been/are the biggest challenges you face(d) regarding starting/building/maintaining your business?

Time management when you have family and kids as well to look after.

Starting a small home business is not easy because we have to do everything single-handedly. But I believe at the start of any work/ journey it's always overwhelming. We get to learn time management with experience.

4. What do you feel are the benefits of using edible images?

Edible images are the game changer in modern trends of cake decoration. It saves a lot of time which we used to put into making 2D fondant figures and decorations. It has made the decoration process so easy and quick, plus takes your cakes to the next level in looks.

5. What is your favourite type of treat/design to create?

Definitely the kid's character theme cakes, as there is plenty of room to show our creativity. Also, buttercream cakes with which I love to try out new mediums and techniques to get sophisticated and elegant looks.

6. What is the current trend you’re seeing in edible images?

Edible images are now replacing the 2d fondant figures and decorations. As I mentioned, printing edible images is a time saver over making fondant decorations.

7. What is the funniest/most unusual sweet creation you’ve been asked to make?

Luckily, I have not received any such request yet.

8. Do you have any tips you can share when either printing or applying edible images?

Apply little edible glue to stick your edible images on the fondant. Too much glue can lead to colour bleed from your edible images.

Use a high-resolution image to get the best result from your edible printer.

9. What is your “can’t live without” sweet-making tool?

My tall scraper from loyal bakewares.

10. What do you do for yourself within your life and business to help avoid or alleviate burnout?

Take a break from baking and don’t take orders for a week or so. Spend some quality time with family.

11. What is your career highlight to date?

I got to make a cake for the mum of our Local MP Prue Car (Member of Londonderry, Deputy leader of NSW Labor & Shadow Minister of Education). On her 50th birthday celebration. I was truly honoured.