I interviewed Tash Mutunga. She is the real definition of a Nairobi hustler as she wears three hats; a pastry chef, fashion stylist running Hot Collections, a motivational speaker and an emcee in the corporate scene. She shares with Swala Nyeti her inspiring story.   

What is your name and what do you do? 

I am a pastry chef based in Syokimau, Machakos County. I bake and sell a variety of wheat products on order in the area as well as make deliveries in Nairobi and its environs through my company House of Tash Pastries. I am also a fashion stylist and a corporate MC.  

How did you become a pastry chef? 

I happen to have lost my job five years ago and I got into baking as a pass time. With time I started getting orders from friends and family and that's how I turned it into a profitable business. I started my business as a hobby and it grew into a very profitable business that I am greatly proud of.

What has been your selling point? 

My selling point has always been my cupcakes and homemade pizza. My clients love these and they have been the two fastest moving products in my pastry business.

What are the three things that have kept your business going?

Some of the things that have helped keep my business afloat are recurrent clients, good referrals and an honest relationship with my clients. I believe that you need a good reputation as a business owner and if your clients can't refer you then your business is doing something wrong.

Some of the cakes by House of Tash Pastries. PHOTO/COURTESY

What are the main challenges in your line of business?

Main challenges in this business include stiff competition in the market,bad reputation from bakers who are not genuine, keeping up with new baking trends, high cost of baking ingredients and having to learn new skills every time.

What are your key achievements? 

My key achievements have been learning new skills and creating a customer base that sustained me all this time. I didn't know anything about baking a few years ago but now it's one of those things I can't imagine not doing at all.

What are your marging like?  

In the last five years the business has been able to sustain itself. The margins have been good and customer base has increased significantly in the last two years. I am not complaining (smiles).

Happy Mashujaa day...

Posted by House Of Tash Pastries. on Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Where do you want to take the business in the next 5-10 years? 

In the next five to ten years I want to own several pastry shops and also a few bakeries as well. I have a passion for food and making good food that makes people happy is my goal. 

What’s your mantra? 

My mantra has always been 'Don't be afraid to be great' and 'Have big dreams, you will grow into them'.

Tash Mutunga at a past event. PHOTO/COURTESY

Who do you look up to in your line of work? 

My role model is François Payard. He is a world known pastry chef and has amazing skills for pastries. He owns bakeries and pastry shops across the world and I hope to be like him one day.

What did you study and how does it align with your current business? 

I graduated with a Diploma in Business Management and also studied fashion design. Both have proved to be very useful in all my lines of business.

They have helped me to structure and build my businesses to where they are today. Having a solid background, especially if you want to get into business is the key to success. I also sell clothes and do emceeing for events too. I would say my passions and work have aligned in a good way.  

You are also designer and sell clothes, a motivational speaker and also MC. How do you balance your time between jobs?

I manage to balance all my work very well because I have a huge passion for all of them. But, I wouldn't be able to make things work without the support and commitment of my employees. They make everything run smoothly and work well for me.

Tash Mutunga at a past event by Kikao. PHOTO/COURTESY

Time management is key and also once you master to run your businesses and put them first then all works just well as you make your money. If you can do more than one job and earn your keeps, go ahead. Kenya is not for the faint-hearted but hard workers. 

I am a mother, so I also make time for my family and still enjoy my hobbies that includes gym, reading and hiking.