I am an unrepentant sweet tooth whose passion is baking, and that's what i do for a living! - CEO Fifi's Oven
By Kemi Mobuse - Wednesday, April 06, 2016
Fifi’s Oven is run by the lovely Fisayo Olaleye and she’s been in this space for a while, long before a number of newbies dreamt of baking as a career or business. She’s been around this space for 17 years. It’s not difficult to see how and why her business has stood the test of time.
From what I see, I can deduce that her cakes are absolutely decadent and yummy!
Do you love cakes or you have a sweet tooth, then follow @fifisoven and be deliciously tortured!
She talked more on her passion in her recent interview with KMB, read below:
Kemi Mobuse blog: Can we meet you?
Fifi's Oven: My name is Mrs Fisayo Olaleye
Kemi Mobuse blog: What do you do?
Fifi's Oven: I bake cakes, make pastries but specialize in desserts.
Kemi Mobuse blog: When did you start baking?
Fifi's Oven: I have been baking as long as forever....... But started taking it seriously 1998/99, 17years ago.
Kemi Mobuse blog: Do you do bespoke /custom flavours?
Fifi's Oven: We actually make customized cakes and have our different recipes for desserts
Kemi Mobuse blog: What is your favourite cake/ gluten combination?
Fifi's Oven: My favourite cake is anything chocolate, especially dark choc cake.
Kemi Mobuse blog: Did you attend a culinary school? Or were you self taught?
Fifi's Oven: Never attended any culinary school, it was passion and of course I am an unrepentant sweet tooth.
Kemi Mobuse blog: What is the name of your brand?
Fifi's Oven: We are Fifis Oven.
Kemi Mobuse blog: What has been your favourite / most memorable experience as a Baker so far?
Fifi's Oven: My most memorable moment as a baker - I cannot tell any story/stories as memorable as there have been so many, but a particular situation comes to mind whenever that question is asked.
In February 2007, a client approached us to order a wedding cake on behalf of her junior sister, a month before; we had also made an engagement cake for her (which she presented to another relative). We concluded on the order and she had paid in full for the wedding cake which was to take place in June.
Exactly a week to the event, the receptionist at the bakery informed me that she called to cancel the order & needed to speak to me, when I received the news, I felt a wave of different emotions, anger; because we had started making flowers that would be used on the cake, compassion - because I couldn't imagine what could have gone wrong for the wedding to have been cancelled, irritated- as I imagined she had contracted another baker to make the cake( as she was making the cake on behalf of someone & they might have insisted on another baker etc) with all this feelings flooding, I called her to find out the exact situation of things.
She pleaded & explained that the wedding had indeed been called off by the couple, and would like to get her refund....... I told her to give me some time to sort out how to deal with the situation.
I was at crossroads of whether to refund her in full or even insist that I had bought all the ingredients & it wasn't my fault such mishap befell the couple, besides if I was going to refund, I ought to take some out for the expenses already made in preparation for the cake.
My mum (bless her) overheard me lamenting my plight to a colleague who had advised me to only refund 40% of the total money paid, she (my mum) advised me to pay the customer in full however I should do it in installments. I took the advice but paid her back in one fell swoop as I didn't want a lingering situation.
Fast forward to 2009, the client called my personal number and said she wanted to book for her daughter's wedding cake, engagement cake & desserts and would like us to make it for her; she explained how we were the only vendors at that time that made a refund in full and how she was grateful & promised herself she must make her daughter's wedding cake or anyone she knew with Fifis Oven. This story always comes to mind.......... When I think about the fact is the best way you can advertise your brand as an entrepreneur is by showing your customers that your service goes beyond the money but to satisfy them.
Exactly a week to the event, the receptionist at the bakery informed me that she called to cancel the order & needed to speak to me, when I received the news, I felt a wave of different emotions, anger; because we had started making flowers that would be used on the cake, compassion - because I couldn't imagine what could have gone wrong for the wedding to have been cancelled, irritated- as I imagined she had contracted another baker to make the cake( as she was making the cake on behalf of someone & they might have insisted on another baker etc) with all this feelings flooding, I called her to find out the exact situation of things.
She pleaded & explained that the wedding had indeed been called off by the couple, and would like to get her refund....... I told her to give me some time to sort out how to deal with the situation.
I was at crossroads of whether to refund her in full or even insist that I had bought all the ingredients & it wasn't my fault such mishap befell the couple, besides if I was going to refund, I ought to take some out for the expenses already made in preparation for the cake.
My mum (bless her) overheard me lamenting my plight to a colleague who had advised me to only refund 40% of the total money paid, she (my mum) advised me to pay the customer in full however I should do it in installments. I took the advice but paid her back in one fell swoop as I didn't want a lingering situation.
Fast forward to 2009, the client called my personal number and said she wanted to book for her daughter's wedding cake, engagement cake & desserts and would like us to make it for her; she explained how we were the only vendors at that time that made a refund in full and how she was grateful & promised herself she must make her daughter's wedding cake or anyone she knew with Fifis Oven. This story always comes to mind.......... When I think about the fact is the best way you can advertise your brand as an entrepreneur is by showing your customers that your service goes beyond the money but to satisfy them.
Kemi Mobuse blog: Is Fifi oven all about cake alone? Or there is more?
Fifi's Oven: We are known for our cakes but popular for our desserts. I love working with chocolates and over the years we have learnt to master the art of moulding, covering and baking with chocolates. I love the dark chocolates the most as they are really versatile.
Kemi Mobuse blog: Any advice for upcoming entrepreneurs?
Fifi's Oven: Advice to those starting out - Have a passion for Baking & please Specialize. You will thrive if you are consistent in what you do. Carve a niche for yourself in the market.
Kemi Mobuse blog: Lastly, how can you be contacted?
Fifi's Oven: Fifis Oven Address: 15A Oduduwa way, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
Call: 08034078227, 08056568993,08103245264
Follow us on Instagram: @Fifisoven.
Twitter @fifisoven, whatsapp- 09097658100. bbm-533C0CB6
Call: 08034078227, 08056568993,08103245264
Follow us on Instagram: @Fifisoven.
Twitter @fifisoven, whatsapp- 09097658100. bbm-533C0CB6
Kemi Mobuse blog: Thanks so much for your time ma
Fifi's Oven: Thanks & regards.
More pictures below:
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