Steph Sia is a 22-year-old student that wears her entrepreneurial heart proudly on her sleeve. Although she’s in school full-time, she still manages to make time for a part-time job, extra curricular activities and her cupcake business Dolce Delights. Read on about how Steph makes time in her hectic schedule for her passion of the delicious treats…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
Aside from going to school full-time and working part-time, I also run my cupcake business, Dolce Delights, on a part-time basis. I take private orders for birthdays, fundraisers, weddings and parties, as well as selling them individually through a local bakery in downtown Vancouver.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
Baking has always been a hobby of mine. I used to bring in my baked goods and cupcakes to my past workplaces to share with my coworkers. One of them actually suggested that I start selling them and the rest is history! It’s something that I love to do; a sweet opportunity to make some extra cash, and the best part of it all is that I get to eat them afterward!
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
Eating the cupcakes is definitely the best part. Amidst all of my extracurricular activities, school and work, the most challenging part is finding the time to come into the kitchen and bake. I operate my business on a very part-time basis and often times, I have to bake at the very end of the day after work or school and on the weekends. There are no days off so it can get tiring, especially as I am doing it all by myself. It’s always a constant hustle.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
My biggest goal is to make it on the Top 25 Under 25. I would really like to see my business flourish and hire some actual employees. I would like to wholesale my cupcakes but eventually, I want to open up my own bake and teashop, pairing luxury sweets with high-quality teas. It’s my ultimate dream.
What does success look like to you?
Success always seems to be measured in a monetary value, which I agree with. But above all, to be successful is to be happy with what you do. As long as you are passionate about a cause, a product or whatever you do, it will be sufficient. Money comes after.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Finding out that I was a finalist in the 2011 Notable Awards and a semi-finalist in the SFU Student Entrepreneur of the Year competition in the same week (not to mention within days of each other) was probably the best news and belated birthday gift I could ever receive. It has been a complete whirlwind.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
If you want something, go for it. You never know until you try. You don’t want missed opportunities to turn into regrets. Be a keener. (It’s worked for me!)
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I have donated cupcakes to school clubs, individuals, fundraisers, and other charitable initiatives including Easter Seals, Canadian Cancer Society, and ReThink Breast Cancer.
What to you is notable?
Notable, to me, is surpassing your own expectations when others have told you can’t do it. Above all, it is about surprising yourself and always being up for a challenge.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
Currently being forced to use a BlackBerry, but iPhone hands down!
