Coronavirus inspires passionate Central Coast bakers to start up home businesses
For years it was just a passion but when COVID-19 struck these women decided it was time to follow their hearts and start the home based businesses they always dreamt about.
Central Coast
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If necessity is the mother of invention then the COVID-19 pandemic is the pilot light of inspiration for a growing number of people who have decided the time has come to follow their dream of starting a business.
Kate Collins got the baking buzz when she made a cake for her son’s first birthday 15 years ago and it turned out “fantastic”.
Since then the mother-of-two has been the “go to” person for family and friends whenever they needed a cake or other sweet treat to celebrate a special milestone.
But when she found herself out of work for nearly eight weeks because of COVID-19 she decided it was time to turn a passion into a profession.
“I have always loved it and I thought that’s how I want to spend my time,” she said.
Ms Collins’ development application has just been approved to use her Killarney Vale home as the base for her business “Baked With Grace” and she hopes to sell her delicious cakes at local markets and via special orders.
But she admits it was the pandemic which spurred her into action.
“It was really scary for us,” she said.
“Me being a casual and my husband who owns his own business, there was so much uncertainty about what was going to happen.
“I really enjoy (baking) and I thought this is what I want to do.”
Nearby at Berkeley Vale another woman also has COVID-19 to thank for giving her the time to turn part of her house into a commercial kitchen.
Debbie Martens spent 30 years working in administration but when her mum, dad and brother passed away she decided she wanted to turn a family tradition into a business.
“It got to the point where I was hating (work) because it wasn’t my passion,” she said.
Ms Martens comes from a long line of bakers who have won countless awards at various shows with their heirloom recipes passed down through generations.
She also took out a major award at the Royal Easter Show when she was just 17 and was planning on entering again this year before it was cancelled.
Ms Martens enrolled in a Certificate 4 Patisserie course and when no one would take on a 54-year-old apprentice, she started the government’s New Enterprise Incentive Scheme before COVID-19 hit.
“It gave me some space to ease myself into it,” she said.
Ms Martens started “Remember Me Patisserie” in honour of her mum and is awaiting DA approval to fire up her kitchen.
“All I want to do is cook,” she said.
Meanwhile another budding baker is awaiting council approval to begin her home business at Budgewoi.
Samantha Kopinja has lodged a DA so she can use her home to bake and sell “cookies and cupcakes”.