[bctt tweet=”The best way you can predict your future is to create it – Aisha Akiti” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”]
Meet Aisha Akiti, CEO of Missashleybakes and Eventbyashley, a baking and events planning company. This business was founded a year ago after graduating from her degree. Being a mother of two kids there was no luck finding a job so Aisha decided to create one for herself.
In fact, by the age of 10, Aisha was already selling candy, biscuits and doughnuts to her family and friends. Aisha’s favourite part of the business is that she is able to put her passion into reality. She also loves the daily interaction with clients as she helps them choose cakes and styles that match their personalities with the event.
The bubbly entrepreneur from Tema, Greater Accra region of Ghana says even though she has had her business for a year she is still excited about it. We interviewed Aisha Akiti and here is what she had to say….
What do you bring into baking and styling that makes your business unique?
I provide each client with signature designs and taste, I also treat clients like friends and let them get to know me.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
My greatest achievement so far is that I’m able to create a job for myself. After graduating from university, I had no hope finding a good job.
In addition, I am proud of the fact that I’m able to provide short-term job opportunities to other young people as and when my business allows.
How do you plan on taking your business to the next level?
I intend to take my business to the next level by introducing new products and services and hiring a social media manager to build my online reputation and engaging customers.
Getting a mentor, someone who’s been there, done that and learned lessons the hard way is indispensable. Also important is having a good team, providing them with good working environment and training. I believe when the people around you improve, your business will improve.
What four qualities do you think every young entrepreneur in your industry should have?
I believe every young entrepreneur in my industry must possess these qualities:
- Passion and leadership skills: Your passion will drive you to turn your ideas into reality.
- Good numerical skills: You will need to measure ingredients and other basic items.
- Creativity: Anyone can bake but to stand out from your competition the element of creativity is necessary. With creativity, you’re able to offer something different from the crowd.
- You must be able to work under pressure. Baking is a lot about timing and it’s important to grasp the right time that may cause unnecessary stress. You’ll also need the ability to face the immense amount of stress when the end product does not turn out as expected.
- Teamwork is also extremely important in a kitchen. You need to be able to work with other people to make beautiful creations on a large scale.
What has been your overall experience in this industry?
My overall experience in this industry is that the best people, no matter who they are, who they know or where they are on the ladder can succeed with their work being recognised.
Your hard work can put you anywhere in the world. Fear must be removed and you must focus on getting to where you want to be as fast as possible.
[bctt tweet=”No matter who you are, you can succeed with your work being recognised” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”]
If it takes one skill to be the best, what skill would you choose? Why?
I would choose communication skills because having a good ability to communicate will help you to build up relationships, present ideas and most importantly make you a better leader.
With good communication skills, you will be confident to talk and present your thoughts in public thus boosting your chances of success when you have to negotiate or persuade a client. A good leader is not the most intelligent one but the one who can inspire everybody the most. And how can you motivate people around you? Mostly using your words by communicating with them. 
What do you think other young women can learn from your start-up story?
Young women can benefit from my start-up story knowing that in life you don’t have to depend on anyone, you can create your future.
The best way you can predict your future is to create it. You are your own boss knowing how to bake, design and style an event with confidence, you can be anything you desire with hard work and determination.
If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.