🧁 Starting Chunky Delights: The Messy, Beautiful Beginning of a Small Business

I didn’t wake up one morning with a polished business plan, a shopfront on the high street, and a shiny POS system. What I had was a handful of recipes I believed in, a pastry diploma, and a wild dream that maybe, just maybe, I could one day build something sweet from scratch.

For years, I’ve carried the idea of one day having a café by the beach or tucked away in a forest. Chunky Delights is the first step toward that dream.

I officially registered the company on 25 August 2023, got my first order on 8 March 2024, and stood behind my first market stall on 21 September 2024. The timeline looks neat on paper, but in real life it was anything but. At the time I was still working as an au pair, juggling small orders from friends, running around to secure the legal documents I needed to sell from home and at markets, and even figuring out the right product labels. Add in late-night prep for markets, and it was messy, exhausting, and strangely exhilarating.

📋 The Logistics You Don’t See on Instagram

Starting a small business is full of unglamorous, behind-the-scenes work that never makes it to Instagram:

Registering a business name - Luckily, this part was easy. With my partner’s help, we registered the company and opened a business bank account as soon as the confirmation letter came through.

Sourcing packaging - This has been a challenge from the start. Since I don’t have daily orders, bulk packaging isn’t realistic yet. Everything is made to order until I reach the scale where I can stockpile boxes, labels, and bags.

Pricing products - This is a constant puzzle. Your first round of ingredient costs is rarely your last. Prices change when you buy in bulk or find new suppliers, and that shifts your recipe costing. Then there are hidden costs - water, electricity, and eventually labour when I move into a rental kitchen. When someone says, “You’re too expensive,” I have to remind myself that they don’t see the full picture of what goes into those prices.

Getting a payment system - Thankfully, this part was simple. Yoco made it easy to set up, and their support was excellent.

Designing a logo and brand identity - This part was actually fun. I still have my original hand-drawn designs that I sent to a graphic designer to polish into the logo we use today. The brand is still evolving, but with the website live, we’re finding our look and voice.

Finding your first customers - It started with friends who believed in me. But nothing compares to the thrill of meeting complete strangers at a market who connect with something you baked. That’s when you know you’re building something real.

💛 The Power of the Right People

If I’ve learned anything, it’s that the right people make all the difference.

My friends and family have been there since day one, showing up at markets, reposting Chunky Delights stories, and cheering me on through slow weeks. Their belief in me has been a true blessing.

And then there’s Ryan, my partner of 10 years. He’s the one who pushed me to start this bakery journey now instead of waiting until my sixties. He’s sacrificed so much to help get Chunky Delights off the ground, and as cliché as it sounds, words don’t really capture how grateful I am.

There were days I thought about quitting, when an order went wrong, or I was up at midnight reprinting labels. But then a friend would pop by to help pack biscuits, or Ryan would remind me that slow days happen to everyone. That kind of support keeps you going.

🧁 Encouragement for Others

Starting a small business isn’t glamorous. It’s sticky batter at 11pm, late payments, and moments of self-doubt. But it’s also joy, creativity, and the freedom to build something that’s truly yours.

If you’re dreaming of starting your own venture, here’s what I’ve learned so far:

• You don’t have to do it alone. Get your friends and family involved - they’ll be your biggest fans and your most honest taste testers.
• Progress > perfection. Things will go wrong. You’ll burn a tray, mislabel an order, or forget something at home. Take a breath, count to ten, and start again.
• The right people matter. Surround yourself with those who believe in you - it’s just as important as believing in yourself.

Chunky Delights began as a messy, beautiful experiment, and it’s slowly growing into something more. This is only the start, but already I know: the sweetest part of the journey isn’t the success. It’s the people, the lessons, and the stories baked into every batch.