Hello my name is Onely Valentin and I am 29 years old, a young baker entrepreneur.

Twelve years ago, I thought my life was over. At one point, I had no hope whatsoever and contemplated suicide as an option. Through MY JOURNEY OF LIFE, I found purpose, motivation, and inspiration. I’ve learned to love myself, embrace my shortcomings, and realize that I am enough.

When I discovered I was going to be a teenage mother at the age of 16, I was consumed with a whirlwind of emotions. I was terrified, anxious and ashamed. I spent more than half of my pregnancy doubting my abilities and assuming that I had just ruined my life, and now I was about to ruin the life of an innocent, tiny human as well. I had limited emotional support from my surrounding except my parent and my husband and I was overwhelmed with the reality that I was now 100% responsible for the well-being of another person.

The hardest thing was running a house at a young age and finding the time to go to school, do household, look after my baby, homework, and still run the business now. I always need a schedule. I manage my time by doing what’s most important first, which is getting my EDUCATION.

But at the same time I knew early in life that I wanted to be part of the food industry, but did not understand how and when. While completing my Bsc degree in HR Management at Univesite de Mascareigne online during the lockdown last year, I began catering to orders of brownies, cupcakes, cookies, and birthday cakes from my home kitchen upon some facebook friend request as all pasrty shop was closed at that time. Time passed and I started getting repeat customers during the lockdown and decided to pursue the passion until now - 6 month later.

When I initially started the business, I never thought it would become this big in only 6 months. I never thought I would get to this stage of growth rapidly. Then I create a page on Facebook – O’gourmet now with more that 1,600 abonnees. Using the tools i had at home, just some pans, a small oven, and a refrigerator, I began producing cakes and other baked goods. I usually work the whole day and rest only at 3am some days. For Christmas it was baking the whole day and whole night – unbelievable! But I did it alone.

I am delighted that demand for my products had increased, but now I am faced a new problem: producing enough for my customers with my existing equipment and space in limited time frame. Till now all profit are being reinvested into material and ingredient and household stuff. I started from nothing and have zero fund for this project.
 

I would like to buy new cooking equipment including:

- A commercial-grade oven
- A freezer & refrigerator
- A mixer.

I would also like to invest in the construction of a larger processing facility space to increase production, improve the quality of products, and diversify my product range.

By mid 2021 with your help and your kind donation, I hope to build a production space facility. This growth will enable me to employ people and expand my business to reach more markets.

“Success, from where I started and what i have achieved up till now, already makes me very proud. I want to be a role model for other young lady facing hard time in life. I would feel great in empowering other women as I want to expand my business to the fullest.

Thank you for having taken the time to read.

I rely on your generosity to make my dream come true.

Kindly Yours, Onely Valentin.