Nowadays it has become clear to everyone that the salary you get at work is never enough to sustain or maintain a life of someone; a side hustle business is a must have. Our CEO for this week is Thembelihle Ngwenya fondly known as Lihle who is a passionate businesswoman, passionate baker and proud owner of Oven Fresh by Lihle. What started during COVD-19 days as an act of love for family has transformed into a growing brand rooted in flavour and authencity. To Ngwenya her business is not only to make money but it is deeply personal, challenging, fulfilling and transformative.
Ngwenya’s business started in 2022 when the world was beginning to recover from COVID-19 pandemic. “I did not begin with a customer base nor big funding, it all started with love baking for family events, honouring birthdays, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day with the full support of my siblings,” shared Ngwenya. Towards the end of the year 2022 Ngwenya received her first customer that was a moment she will never forget. What makes that moment unforgettable to her is that the very same person who was her first client still remains as her loyal customer which actually says a lot about her business. “My first client boosted my confidence and made me believe in myself,” shared Ngwenya.
For Ngwenya being her own boss excites her because she is able to take decisions that help the business grow. However, inasmuch as she is the CEO, she is open to receiving criticism that will help her grow her business even stronger. Some of the decisions she has to make are exciting and some are tough. Some of the exciting decisions are creating cake designs or testing recipes. Some of the tough decisions are: Managing costs, handling orders or dealing with the quiet days when sales are low.
“My vision is to make Oven Fresh by Lihle more than just a bakery, but I want it to become a part of people’s everyday lives and also a trusted companion for their celebrations, quiet moments and everything in between,” shared the CEO. Also, Ngwenya shared her mission for her business as to be the heart of the neighbourhood, providing wholesome and delicious baked treats that foster connections and celebrate life’s simple pleasures.
Oven fresh by Lihle offers baked goods which are celebratory cakes, scones and lamingtons currently. Ngwenya’s goal, when baking, is that she gives it her all and always puts herself in the shoes of her clients and bakes in a way that would have impressed her too when receiving the baked goods. Therefore, that is her way of keeping her customers happy. Since baking is tiring Ngwenya makes sure that she treats herself with the profit she makes from the baked goods. So far so good. Ngwenya is happy and proud of herself especially because she use to doubt herself that one day her business could grow and be in the position it is right now, however, she is still not content but want it to grow even more to a point that she owns a bakery one day which is her driving factor.
Our CEO has no book she is reading currently but her strength comes from the Book of Isaiah 54:17, which says: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper: And every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servant of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, said the Lord.”
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