Interview with Sneha and Ravisha Bhatia, Co-founders of Sugaholic, a Top-rated Bakeshop in Dubai

In a world filled with countless brands and businesses, some stand out not just for their products but for the inspiring stories behind their creation. Sugaholic is one such brand in the world of confectionery and cake decoration. This highly-rated cake shop in Dubai specializes in crafting exquisite custom cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, and delectable baked desserts using the finest ingredients.

The talented sister duo behind Sugaholic, Sneha and Ravisha Bhatia, share their inspiring story of turning their love for cake decorating into a successful venture.

The journey of Sugaholic stems out of Ravisha’s fascination with creating fondant cakes. She had taken short-term courses to learn the art of cake decoration while working full-time. However, as their home became swamped with cakes from her practice sessions, the duo decided to go one step further with the yummy creations. They organized the first bake sale with the intention of donating the proceeds to charity. The bake sale turned out to be a huge success raising a huge amount of money to sponsor the education of underprivileged kids in India.

The overwhelming success of their bake sale motivated them to continue further. As orders began pouring in, they realized the need to commit fully to Sugaholic. Within the first month, one of them had to quit their full-time job to focus entirely on the business.

At the initial stage, they worked out of their homes. Sneha would bake the cakes while Ravisha designed the cakes during her after-work hours. This continued for two years until they had to find a space for their growing business outside the sisters’ home.

Sugaholic boasts a star-studded portfolio. The sisters gleam when sharing their happiness of serving a 100-kilo lion-shaped cake for HH Sheikha Latifa. They had designed a metro-shaped cake for RTA for the 10^th anniversary of the metro. The sisters have also designed cakes for the US embassy for two events, the Marine Corps and the 4^th of July. Some of the other notable works are celebs Kris Fade and Brianna’s wedding cake that was featured on Dubai Bling and Jack Daniels’ anniversary cake.

The founders emphasized that Sugaholic is more than just a brand; it is a brand with a cause. They attribute their success to their commitment to giving back to society. They spoke about their belief that a significant portion of their earnings should contribute to charitable causes, a principle instilled by their father.

Sneha and Ravisha share their commitment to philanthropy, supporting various charitable causes in India and Dubai. Through their #sugaholic4cause initiative, they sponsor the education of girls and women in India and organize charitable events. They are currently supporting eight schools back home. They also engage in CSR activities with orphanages to teach baking-related activities. They have surely created a significant impact by giving back to the society.

It is important to believe in oneself while starting something. The sister duo stresses the importance of staying true to one’s passion. Ravisha’s words for the aspiring entrepreneurs are,

"Believe in yourself and your dreams, take the leap, and do what you love. Don't be overwhelmed by external pressures, especially the allure of social media. Stay true to yourself, make your clients happy with honesty, and always strive to provide the best service.”

Criticism is a constant companion in the food industry. Be it a restaurant or a bakery, criticism is a constant reality as taste is a highly subjective element. Sneha says,

“Just as my sister and I have differing tastes, so will your customers. Accepting criticism with equanimity may be challenging, but it's an essential skill.”

She says that learning the art of diplomacy in handling critique not only benefits your business but also enriches your personal growth. They recounted instances where a substantial group of 40 to 45 unequivocally lauded their work but there were a few who did not. And those negative comments, even though they were in the minority, still bothered them for a long time.

However, they understood that such experiences are an integral part of life, similar to the diversity of tastes in a restaurant where not everyone enjoys the same dish. In the world of cake making, they realized that not everyone would be a fan of their creations. They embraced the need for resilience, adaptability, and continuous improvement in the face of competition.

What started as a hobby and a desire to give back to society has transformed into a thriving business that continues to make a positive impact. The Bhatia sisters continue to inspire us through their entrepreneurial and philanthropic journey.