Innovation

In 2020, when all of us were forced to stay home, Bianca Marie Panizales, founder of Biancakes Cake Shop, saw an opportunity to explore new hobbies. She learned to bake because she had always had a sweet tooth and loved food. With the help of online resources such as videos and articles, she entered the world of baking.

“Cinnamon rolls talaga yung una kong binake hanggang sa natikman, nagustohan, at nagpaorder kami.” (The first thing I baked were cinnamon rolls. Once they were tasted and liked, we started to take orders.)

As demand grew, particularly during Christmas, Bianca expanded her pastries to include cheesecakes and sold ten remarkable cakes in the first run. The demand increased not only because of the taste but also because of its quality. To meet growing customer needs, she skillfully transferred her baking knowledge to her mother, Emily Panizales, expanding the team. With the continuous demand, Bianca’s sister, Shirley, got into baking too and discovered a talent for crafting fondants, transforming the team from a one-person team to a dynamic trio.

"Ako na yung gumagawa nung designing, si mama yung nagbebake, and yung sister ko naman sa fondant details." (I am the one who does the designing, my mom does the baking, and my sister handles the fondant details.)

Two additional headcounts allowed Bianca to delegate and assign tasks, making the baking process more systematic and efficient. While each has their task, the trio shares a unified mission - to satisfy customers through their sweet treats.

Inspiration

Biancakes Cake Shop aspires for their cakes to be part of their customers' celebrations, whether birthdays, anniversaries, or important holidays. This vision comes to life as they build connections with their customers, even those thousands of miles away like the OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers).

“May mga nag-oorder sa amin na nasa ibang bansa tapos sasabihin ay kami na ang magpadala ng cake sa may birthday.” (We get orders from people who are in different countries, and they ask us to deliver the cake directly to the birthday celebrant.)

Delivering the cake directly to the events is a way to surprise or show appreciation. In such instances, cakes are more than food; they serve as a means to connect and assure loved ones that they can still celebrate momentous occasions and bridge physical gaps.

“Isa pang uso ngayon ay yung monthly cakes for example, 1st month ni baby. Mag-oorder sila ng cake for the monthly celebration tapos sa 2nd month, 3rd month, and so on. Nakakatuwa kasi nagtitiwala talaga sila sa amin at para sa amin proof yun na nagugustuhan nila yung products namin.” (Another trend nowadays is ordering monthly cakes, for instance, for a baby's 1st month. They would order a cake for the monthly celebration and then for the 2nd month, 3rd month, and so on. It's heartwarming because they really trust us, and for us, it's proof that they enjoy our products.)

Being part of a significant milestone is an honor for Biancakes Cake Shop. It is what inspires them to continue their business. It is a small business but has a profound impact, touching numerous lives by baking 30-50 cakes per week. Each cake represents a special occasion in which Biancakes Cake Shop plays a significant role.

Overall impact

1. Empower women (Goal 5: Gender Equality)

Working in an all-women team presents its unique challenges, particularly when handling heavy baking supplies such as sacks of sugar and flour and heavy-duty equipment. There's a need to use physical strength when transferring and setting these materials up. Biancakes Cake Shop operates out of a two-story building, where the ground floor is used for customer interaction and order reception. In contrast, the upper level is the baking zone and storage area.

Bianca and her team of women believe that an organized work environment goes hand in hand with productivity. They're used to lifting and organizing the supplies, demonstrating physical resilience and a commitment to maintaining a smooth operational flow. This commitment shines through their traditional gender boundaries, underlining their hard-working spirit and dedication to their craft.

“Yung mga ingredients namin na binibili ay mandalas sako-sako at kami talaga yung nagbubuhat pataas ng second floor. Kami rin mismo ang nag-aayos ng mga yun dahil mas maganda na maayos yung stock room para alam namin kung saan nakalagay yung mga bagay.” (We usually purchase our ingredients in bulk, and we're the ones who carry it up to the second floor. We also organize everything ourselves because it's better to keep the stock room neat so we know where everything is placed.)

2. Effect on the local community (Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth)

Being a small business, Biancakes Cakeshop is pivotal in supporting the local economy, specifically the community's delivery riders. In addition to traditional in-store purchases, customers have the convenience of home delivery for their cake orders.

As Biancakes Cake Shop has yet to establish its delivery service, it collaborates with local delivery firms and independent riders. This partnership ensures that their products reach customers and provides a stable source of income for the delivery riders in the area.

This small, yet impactful initiative illustrates how even rapidly-growing businesses can contribute to their communities. It shows how enterprises can foster symbiotic relationships regardless of size, paving the way for shared benefits and mutual growth.

“Magkakakilala na yung mga rider dito. Minsan habang nag-iintay sila ng orders, nagkukwnetuhan sila tapos sinasabi nila talaga sa amin na pag nakita nila na yung order ay sa Biancakes talagang ina-accept na nila agad yung booking.” (The riders here already know each other. Sometimes, while they're waiting for their orders, they chat and they really tell us that whenever they see that an order is from Biancakes, they immediately accept the booking.)

3. Ensure Fresh products (Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities)

Serving customer satisfaction as their primary ingredient, Biancakes Cake Shop insists on baking their cakes and pastries fresh daily, utilizing only the freshest ingredients. One of the shop's best sellers is its strawberry shortcake, a delicacy that uses strawberries from La Trinidad, Benguet, the strawberry capital of the Philippines.

Strawberries are not accessible in the Southern Luzon region where Biancakes is located. The approximately 4.5-hour distance to La Trinidad, Benguet, does not discourage them; they view it as a testament to their commitment. They ensure that they offer their customers only the highest quality product, flavored with the sweet taste of dedication and passion.

This determination, combined with the highest quality ingredients, helps to embody the essence of Biancakes Cake Shop: the relentless pursuit of the best in service and product, no matter the lengths required.

“Yung mga strawberries na ginagamit namin, nagmumula talaga sa Benguet dahil fresh talaga doon.” (The strawberries we use are really from Benguet because they are truly fresh there.)

Business benefit

Biancakes Cake Shop presents an inspiring case of a small business consciously supporting other small enterprises. They leverage a strategy where raw materials, including cake boxes and diverse baking supplies, are directly procured from partner startups, creating a vibrant interplay of symbiotic relationships.

The strategy serves dual purposes. First, it strengthens small businesses, giving them more visibility and growth opportunities. Second, it allows Biancakes to access high-quality supplies at a lower market price compared to obtaining the necessary materials from more recognized but pricier suppliers.

This practice highlights the power of collaboration and mutual support among small businesses, emphasizing the potential for cost-effectiveness without compromising quality. It is a clear example of how small-scale entrepreneurs can mutually empower each other amidst a highly competitive business environment.

“As much as possible, sa small businesses din kami umoorder ng mga ingredients kasi mas mura at matiyaga talaga kaming naghahanap.” (As much as possible, we also order our ingredients from other small businesses because they are cheaper, and we really put effort into sourcing them.)

Social and environmental benefit

Cakes have always been part of every Filipino celebration. For many years, cakes have been associated with joy and memorable events. Through the cakes and pastries of Biancakes Cake Shop, they are helping their customers build memories and traditions that will last for generations. It is also a way to bridge people together regardless of where they are.

Biancakes Cake Shop and its innovation provide a platform for creativity and entrepreneurship. Because it is a women-led innovation, it contributes to gender inclusivity and proves that success can be achieved if paired with hard work.

On the environmental front, Biancakes Cake Shop can strengthen its eco-friendly practices, such as using locally sourced and organic ingredients, contributing to the overall sustainability of the food production chain. Additionally, efforts to minimize food waste through careful production planning and creative use of leftovers further enhance the positive environmental impact.

In essence, cakes not only sweeten our celebrations but also serve as a motivation for positive social connections, economic growth, and environmentally conscious practices.

“Ang goal talaga namin ay ma-satisfy sila.” (Our goal is to satisfy our customers.)

Interview

Bianca Marie Panizales, Founder