Few people can say they have posted a TikTok video seen by more than 4.2 million people across the globe – a figure that equates to 76% of Scotland’s population in 2022.
But ever since joining the social media platform during the pandemic, Kayla Bond of Peterhead has achieved just that, while some of her other videos have reached views of 337.5k and 328k.
Kayla, 20, takes great pride in her TikTok content which showcases a range of handmade bakes, including cookie pies, brownies, fudge, and more.
This exposure has resulted in her business Kayla’s Bakes experiencing an influx of orders on multiple occasions.
But locals will also recognise the young entrepreneur from selling her sweet treats at The Boddam Chip Shop on Russell Street, owned by Kayla’s mum Maxine.
40 to 70 hour working weeks
Working 70 hours – if not more – is now common for Kayla. And those hours are spent mixing ingredients, preparing batters, delicately slicing and boxing bakes, and so on.
This was made possible after recently leaving her job as a trainee design engineer which involved working from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday in Aberdeen.
“I was then getting changed and heading to the shop to bake until 10/11pm on top of also training and playing for the local rugby team two nights a week,” Kayla says.
“The long days would sometimes get a bit hard and tiring but the motivation of getting myself to the point I am now where baking is my full-time job really helped me push through those last few months when I was so unbelievably busy.”
Despite baking since she was “a little girl” and home economics proving to be her favourite subject in school, it wasn’t until three years ago that Kayla began taking it more seriously.
She found herself waking up excited during lockdown as she set out to create a new bake each day. In February 2021, Kayla’s Bakes was born.
A sweet lovers dream
Cakesicles (cake pop popsicles), stuffed cookies, fudge, cracknel, brownies, cinnamon rolls, cookie pies, and sponges are some examples of what she produces and sells on the business’ website – kaylasbakes.sumupstore.com.
Kayla said: “Each week varies so much.
“I have various platforms for orders to be placed including supplying the chip shop, a website for postal orders, and Facebook Messenger, so it can range from a normal 40 hour work week to 70 plus hours to keep up with the demand.
@kaylasbakesx Kinder cookie pie #kaylasbakes #cookiepie #storytime
“A quiet week for me could be four products being made for the chip shop with no postal orders (roughly about 40 to 50 units).
“A busy week with postal orders could be 30 plus bakes being made, which is more than 300 units being sold.
“My weeks really depend on how many postal orders I receive through TikTok videos and, if I have orders placed over Facebook, the chip shop stays consistent every week.”
Family support and collaboration
Kayla set about launching Kayla’s Bakes after being encouraged to by the team at The Boddam Chip Shop during lockdown.
“When I approached them [mum Maxine and dad James] a few months ago with my plans to pursue baking as my full-time job, this was when I properly moved into the chip shop,” Kayla said.
“I now rent my shelves and display area as well as pay my share of the bills. It’s the perfect opportunity for me to slowly build myself up without the stress of having my own shop and I’m so grateful for it.”
Maxine added: “We are all very proud and totally supportive of the decision Kayla has made to take her love for baking and make it a career.
“At the end of 2022, she sat us both down and pitched her business plan.
“At first, it seemed crazy. Then as the plan was explained it made sense, and with the passion and excitement she delivered it we as proud parents offered our support and agreed she should give Kayla’s Bakes every opportunity to grow.
“To make this choice at her age shows how much she believes in her own abilities and how determined she is to succeed.”
James provides support with the accounting side of the business, Maxine helps sell the bakes, and sister Freya deals with local deliveries and attends farmers markets’ with Kayla.
“I’m quite proud to say that I do everything else myself,” Kayla says. “I.e. shopping, baking, packaging, shipping, messaging, and marketing.”
Bakery aspirations
Customers at The Boddam Chip Shop provide inspiration for products, as well as TikTok.
Kayla continues to use the social media platform regularly and admitted it forced her to close down her website on one occasion.
She added: “The viral TikTok I posted, which is currently sitting at 4.2 million views, led to a huge influx of orders being placed to the point I had to shut my website for a while as I couldn’t possibly handle the demand.
“This got my business to the stage I could leave my previous job.
“My main aspiration for the future is to continue to grow in postal orders and expand into attending more markets over the north-east. I also hope to one day have my own café or bakery.”
Conversation