An outlet for a local bakery is expected to open in Tapuotaota-Vaiala mid-June, and the owner couldn't be happier with the growth of her business since she opened a cake factory in 2019. 

Eterei R. Maiava has found her calling as an entrepreneur and baker, after undertaking pastry courses and working in the field of desserts and pastries. 

Rei’s Cake Factory Outlet will provide a point of sale for the 34-year-old entrepreneur's cakes made from her cake factory located at Vailele, called Rei’s Cake Factory, which was established two years ago. 

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Maiava said the uniqueness of Rei’s Cake Factory is the use of a brick-oven, a treasured asset used instead of gas or electric ovens. 

“Such an opportunity arose when a prominent businessman Afioga Sala Vaimilu II challenged me if I may be interested in utilizing his presently dormant brick-oven, to start my own cake pastries shop," she said. 

"So, Rei’s Cake Factory was born, the cake factory dream was on hold as I was involved with the preparations for Pacific Games Opening Ceremony in early 2019.

"Upon [completion of a] successful Pacific Games in mid-2019, I returned my full attention to the dream of being a business owner with my own cake shop." 

The brick-oven had been in use for more than 10 years, and uses firewood to heat bricks. Once the bricks are heated, the cakes and pastries are baked. As the brick oven uses firewood; expenses normally experienced by mainstream bakers using electric or gas ovens are low. So production expenses are significantly reduced, allowing Maiava to reduce her costs. 

“This brick-oven had been used by my landlord [and] during its prime it was utilized for their bakery. However due to the shift of business interests, my landlord then found himself with a dormant, yet high valued brick-oven on his premises that he refuses to be dismantled,” she said. 

She said they have approached the private and public sector for their firewood supply. 

“The firewood we sought from families who need to dispose of tree branches on their lands, sometimes we approach E.P.C. and M.N.R.E. that do tree-clearing, if were are able to take firewood as we are trying our best to reduce our carbon footprint,” she said.

She said it was when she participated in a pastry programme at A.P.T.C. (Australia Pacific Training Coalition) Fiji and worked at Taumeasina Island Resort in pastries that she was motivated to open up her own cake shop.  

“I was mentored by very experienced A.P.T.C. professional trainers as well as my work experience gained at a family cake shop where I worked," she said. 

"Throughout my time as a pastry chef, I was also a core dance student of the late Seiuli Allan Alo. It was a passion for me to pursue performing arts alongside my day job with pastries.

"Seiuli also encouraged me to expand my horizon whenever opportunity presents itself.”

The journey of the entrepreneur with Rei’s Cake Factory is nothing but love and support from families and friends.

“God has blessed me with so many friends and families who lent their support in various and unexpected ways and I believe God sent them towards my direction and have been very helpful with my journey with Rei’s cake factory,” said Maiava. 

While setting up her business, she said it was a challenge to attain a Business License in her field as a very strict Health Compliance Certificate must be approved by the Ministry of Health.

It was also difficult during the ongoing Covid-19 state of emergency (S.O.E.)restrictions because cake shops' peak business hours are on the weekends. With Sunday restricted during most of 2020 and in 2021, it was a challenge to operate within the allowed business hours. 

“Most times I would rather close the shop than risk getting a fine for breaching the S.O.E. just because I misread the S.O.E. rules that were ever-changing throughout 2020," said Maiava. 

"Slowly I managed to receive orders and I dedicated my everything so that the customers are satisfied before ordering, receiving the order and after the transaction is completed. 

"I believe good reviews travel fast but bad reviews travel faster, therefore I worked very hard to have all clients stay happy with our service and products.”