This year I was lucky enough to turn 21 in a foreign country while studying abroad in the amazing country of Bhutan. 21 is an important milestone for many young people in the states, you’re finally old enough to drink, but that was not what made my 21st birthday special.
The incredible people from Royal Thimphu College ordered me a birthday cake from a baker who makes cakes for the Bhutanese Royal Family. How she got her start is a story similar to many young people in Bhutan, but her success is an inspiration to all young entrepreneurs. Youth unemployment in Bhutan is very high. Sonam Choden earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration but was unemployed for a year after graduation. She then attended a culinary training course and began making cakes out of her home, selling to friends and family simply by word of mouth. As her popularity grew she created social media accounts, researched local cafes, and was financially supported by family, her own security deposit and a loan from the Loden Foundation, that all helped set up her home business. As her business grew through social media marketing she attended more trainings and expanded the variety of goods she could make. She was featured in a local magazine that gained the attention of the 5th king of Bhutan and was asked to make his birthday cake. So, who made my birthday cake? The King’s baker!
On average, Sonam gets 4-5 orders per day providing, her only but steadily improving income. She splits that income between replaying the loan from the Loden foundation, giving money to her mother, saving for her café and the last quarter to further her training. Now Sonam still works from home but will be opening her own café them “The Rolling Pin,” in September 2019.
Suyin D