It has been a painful but rewarding trip for Anesah Bechan, whose business, Sweetsnax By Anesah, which specializes in making delectable desserts, will celebrate its first birthday in June.
Sweetsnax By Anesah, Bechan said, came in response to one of the most difficult times of her life. In March last year, Anesah underwent surgery on one of her kidneys. He had a kidney stone and laser surgery was done to remove it, but the partially broken stone moved from his kidney and became stuck in one of his ureters, which carry urine from the kidneys to the kidney. bladder. She then needed a different type of operation and went to another private hospital. Her ureter was repaired using part of her bladder and she now has to empty it more often because it is smaller.
Both operations led to her and her husband Ryan Roy going through all their savings as well as receiving financial help from her parents. While recovering from her second surgery, Anesah said, she lay in bed and tried to come up with an idea to earn another income. Before her surgeries, she was already operating a small business called Cosmetic Trends, but business was slow because cosmetics are not considered an essential good.
She had previously spent time baking with her sister and her cheese-in-a-jar desserts were popular with her family. Although she already has a basic knowledge of baking and cake decorating, Anesah decided to do an advanced cake course and then open her business. As time passed, he added new desserts.
One of her most popular desserts among customers is her Oreo n ‘cream cookie cheesecake. She also makes vegetable cheeseburger. Her husband likes the passionddruit cheeseburger and whenever she goes inside to work, she always packs one to share with friends.
Anesah, who hails from Mahaica, moved to Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara to live and operate her business there. Although she lives far from where she grew up, she still provides desserts to people living in Mahaica. It also has customers from Parika, along Demerara East Coast, Demerara East Bank, Demerara West Coast and Demerara West Bank. She said business has been good, so that, along with her savings and her husband, they were able to buy a vehicle that helps when she has to deliver goods to customers instead of having to use a taxi. Whenever her husband is home, he drives her around.
Before she opened Sweetsnax By Anesah, she was worried about the risks involved and whether it would be successful. But this week only, Anesah has filled orders for this Easter weekend. Unlike the traditional hot cross buns, orders were placed for his Easter-themed donuts and cheesecakes, among other desserts.
Last weekend for the Phagwah holiday, she was always on her feet making sweets. She remembered that she had to make 300 Gulab Jamun. Many of her orders came from customers in Mahaica.
She usually bakes, fills and decorates her desserts on her own. The biggest event she has catered for so far was one where she was tasked with making the main course, appetizers and desserts, most of which she did on her own and was happy with the little help and support received from her mother-in-law.
It’s not easy being on her feet all day baking and decorating. After standing for long periods, Anesah is having back pain due to her illness and previous surgery. Whenever this happens, she must lie down. Taking showers and painkillers also helps get her back on her feet. In most cases with her husband away inside, she has no one else to rely on.
In addition, they have a two-year-old son, Vihaan and Anesah look after him when taking and filing orders for Cosmetic Trends and Sweetsnax By Anesah and also housekeeping. Prior to the birth of their son, he worked as a laboratory technician and phlebotomist at a local hospital.
“Sometimes I feel like I can’t do it anymore because I can’t concentrate anymore. [Several nights ago] I was making a cake and the rain started to fall and where I did my surgery started to hurt me. I often wonder why come this far and then give up, ”says Anesah.
“I have a husband who works so hard, I don’t want to work forever and I have a son to make a better future for him. So, I have to keep doing what I can so that one day it will be easier for us [we] he will not have to work so hard in the years to come. ”
Anesah is currently learning some new desserts, such as donut turns and pizza donuts. She is also working on offering a wider variety of toppings. While most of her ingredients are locally sourced, Anesah imports her toppings. For orders or to see more of Anesah’s desserts, check her out on Facebook at Sweetsnax By Anesah or Anesah Bechan and on Instagram @SweetsnaxByAnesah. She can also be reached through her other Facebook business at Cosmetic Trends.