Avira Caro’s journey from a curious student with a love for art and culinary creativity to a successful cake-making entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. A BSc graduate, Avira had always nurtured a keen interest in the arts, creativity, and the culinary world. Yet, it wasn’t until later in life that she realized this passion would evolve into a thriving profession. Today, she is known for her innovative approach to cake design and her unyielding entrepreneurial spirit, which has made her a sought-after name in Goa’s culinary circles. This is the story of how Avira turned a childhood passion into a flourishing business, navigating struggles, learning from challenges, and building a career driven by love for the craft.
“I’ve always loved creativity. Even when I was in the Science stream during my school and college years, I would look for ways to channel my creative energies,” shares Avira, reflecting on her early academic life. “While others might have seen a rigid science curriculum, I saw opportunities to express myself, whether it was drawing diagrams or finding ways to inject creativity into everyday tasks. Baking was one such avenue where I could truly let my imagination run wild.”
The Early Days of Baking
For Avira, the seeds of her baking journey were sown at a young age, inspired by her mother’s culinary experiments. “I remember watching my mother make cakes from jackfruit and soft drinks, a rather unconventional but delicious approach. It fascinated me, and from there, I began to experiment on my own,” she explains. It was during her teenage years that she discovered her love for baking. Over time, she perfected her skills, learning through trial and error, never stepping foot into a formal baking school. “I learned by doing—watching YouTube videos, reading about different techniques online, and experimenting with various flavors and designs,” she recalls.
But while baking became a fulfilling passion, life took her on a different path after she completed her graduation. Avira was married young, and like many women, found herself balancing her new responsibilities while nurturing her dreams. “After my wedding, I moved into a new family, and while I embraced the responsibilities of managing a household, I continued to bake cakes for family events and gatherings. My love for baking never faded, even though I had other priorities to tend to.”
Reigniting the Passion
After the birth of her son, Avira took a brief hiatus from her passion, focusing on motherhood. However, once her son reached the age of four, she decided it was time to pursue her passion for baking more seriously. “That was when I realized that baking wasn’t just a hobby anymore—it was something I could truly build a career around,” says Avira. “I wanted to take my passion to the next level and transform it into something meaningful.”
Avira’s decision to turn her love for baking into a business was fueled by a deep sense of fulfillment and the encouragement of family and friends. “I started making cakes for my extended family, and the feedback I received was overwhelmingly positive. They started asking me why I didn’t take orders professionally. Initially, I was hesitant. I hadn’t planned on turning this into a business, but slowly, I started to see the potential.”
The First Order: A Milestone Moment
Avira’s entry into the professional world of cake-making happened unexpectedly. “It was my sister-in-law who pushed me to take my first order. She worked at the Goa Medical College, and one day, she told me that one of her colleagues wanted a cake. When I completed the cake and delivered it, I was informed that it would be paid for. It was a surprise to me at first,” says Avira, recalling the moment she realized her passion had crossed into the realm of business.
The first cake order was a two-tier creation, which was particularly challenging since it was Avira’s first time using a conventional oven for baking. Until then, she had only used a pressure cooker. “It was a huge learning experience, but when the customer loved the cake, I knew I was on to something. From that point on, the orders started coming in, and my journey as a professional baker truly began.”
Facing the Challenges
Although Avira had found her niche in cake making, the road to success wasn’t easy. The demands of running a household while establishing a business created a challenging schedule. “I had to balance cooking, taking care of my son, and fulfilling cake orders. Many nights, I would stay awake until 4 am baking, only to wake up two hours later to prepare breakfast for my family and drop my son to school,” she shares. Despite the exhaustion, Avira never wavered in her commitment to her craft. “Baking requires a lot of time and precision. Customers expect perfection, and each cake needs to be just right. I took pride in delivering quality, even if it meant sacrificing sleep.”
At times, the logistical challenges were overwhelming. “When I first started, customers would come to pick up their cakes from my home. But as my business grew, I found that people wanted home delivery. Thankfully, I knew how to drive, so I could manage deliveries and keep up with the growing demand,” says Avira. Her determination to succeed was evident, as she faced each hurdle with resilience.
The Power of Support: A Husband’s Encouragement
Avira’s success story wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging the unwavering support of her husband. “He’s been my pillar of strength throughout this journey. He helped me invest in the necessary equipment, including professional ovens, and even arranged for a production space with commercial refrigeration to handle large orders,” says Avira. “Thanks to his encouragement, I now have a fully air-conditioned production unit, which has given me the confidence to scale my operations. It’s a space that allows me to work with greater ease and comfort.”
Her husband’s belief in her abilities was pivotal in Avira’s decision to turn her passion into a full-fledged business. “When I started, I never imagined I’d be able to run my own cake business. But his constant support and faith in me gave me the courage to keep going.”
From Passion to Profession
What sets Avira apart from others in her field is her devotion to the craft. “For me, baking has never been about money,” she says. “The real reward is seeing the joy on my customers’ faces when they receive a cake that I’ve spent hours creating. Homemade passion has now turned into a budding profession, as my husband likes to call it.”
Avira has gained a reputation for her creativity and innovation in cake design. She was among the first in Goa to create cakes in unique designs such as a Paithani saree, a cooking gas cylinder, a remote-controlled moving car, and even a cake shaped like Maggie noodles. “When customers approach me with challenging requests, it excites me. It pushes me to think outside the box and create something truly unique,” she says.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Avira’s focus remains on providing high-quality cakes and continuing to innovate. “I have no grand plans for the future. I take each day as it comes and continue to do what I love. My goal is to keep improving and creating new designs that challenge my creativity,” she shares. “I’ve never been one to plan; the journey itself has been a wonderful surprise.”
Her advice to anyone looking to enter the cake business is simple: “Only pursue this career if you have a true passion for it. The road may be tough, and the challenges many, but if you love what you do, it will all be worth it.”
Avira Caro’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and the unwavering support of loved ones. What started as a childhood passion has now become a blossoming profession, and for Avira, there’s no turning back.
