MIRA Cake House, a renowned brand specialising in Sarawak layered cakes or kek lapis Sarawak, has established multiple branches since its inception, including in Kuala Lumpur.
The company reached yet another milestone with the grand opening of its first premium outlet, Mira Cake House Premium Outlet, situated at Metrocity in Kuching.
The proud owner, Datin Masnah Sahani, recently shared the inspiring story behind her successful business venture.
“It all began in my humble home in Kuching, where I started taking cake orders from people,” said the 64-year-old woman.
“The response was overwhelming, and I found myself struggling to keep up with the demand. That’s when I realised I needed a proper shop.
“Coincidentally, one of my children was studying at a university in Kota Samarahan at the time, so we decided to rent a house there as our first business location.
“Alhamdulillah, it turned out to be a strategic choice, and our fortunes began to flourish. Subsequently, we opened a new branch in Kampung Boyan.”
Embracing the state government’s call for digital transformation, Masnah is currently exploring the use of new machinery to streamline the process of making kek lapis Sarawak.
This innovative idea, conceived by her, is currently in the research and development stage. However, she said, once perfected, it will be patented for the benefit of all kek lapis producers.
Masnah’s journey from a home-based operation to an established brand with multiple branches serves as an inspiring example for aspiring entrepreneurs.
In light of this, New Sarawak Tribune had the opportunity to sit down with her for an exclusive interview, delving deeper into the origins of her business and her future plans.
The story behind its name
The launch of the premium outlet marks a significant achievement for Mira Cake House, solidifying its position as a prominent player in the Sarawak layered cake industry.
When asked about the story behind the name ‘Mira Cake House’, Masnah shared her candid perspective, saying, “Actually, it wasn’t planned.”
She said she was so busy fulfilling orders that she didn’t even think about it (to pick a name for her business licence).
She went on to explain how the suggestion to register her business name came from the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and the Department of Agriculture.
They recommended it to facilitate her access to government assistance or grants.
Reflecting on the advice, she said she simply used the name of her fourth child, Mira, who had been a significant help to her during that time, which made the choice of the name even more fitting.
However, Masnah admitted that she never expected the name to become such a hit.
The secrets behind every kek lapis
Mira Cake House’s dedication to quality and preserving traditional recipes sets it apart in the industry.
Despite employing over 80 staff, Masnah ensures that quality is upheld by personally monitoring and visiting each branch regularly.
The mother of five asserted that every recipe used in her cakes is a cherished legacy passed down from her own mother.
“I didn’t learn from anywhere or anyone. My mother was skilled in making traditional desserts, and I enjoyed helping her.
“Over time, I became skilled myself, and it eventually became my passion,” she said.
With a deep understanding of the importance of precise ingredients, Masnah emphasises that each component must be carefully selected to ensure the flavours remain true.
“Every ingredient used is crucial otherwise, the taste will be compromised,” she added.
Initially, she said Mira Cake House offered a modest variety of traditional layered cakes, such as the Kek Lapis Madu Kemenyan, Kek Lapis Belacan, and the visually stunning Kek Lapis Sisik Ikan, among others.
However, the selection has since expanded to encompass a wide range of over a hundred different types.
Among these, she said, the most sought-after is the Kek Lapis Masam Manis, which captivates customers with its perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavours.
In addition to their meticulous recipe selection, Mira Cake House also prioritises high-quality ingredients.
For instance, she revealed, it utilises premium Golden Churn butter in its cake production.
This commitment to using top-notch ingredients contributes to the exceptional taste and consistent quality that customers have come to expect from Mira Cake House.
Mira Cake House makes its mark in Kuala Lumpur
The cake house has extended its reach beyond its home state, making its delectable creations available in various locations, including Kuala Lumpur (KL).
Masnah said that in KL, it has six branches. Additionally, small kiosks were also set up in shopping centres around KL, namely, at Jakel, Sunway Putra and Aeon Mall.
Despite their modest size, she said that these kiosks have received an overwhelming response.
Prior to establishing a branch or kiosk, she conducts thorough surveys, saying: “I would visit around for four to five months before deciding on a location and leasing a space.”
Importantly, she noted that the pricing of Mira Cake House’s products remains consistent between Sarawak and KL.
“There is no price difference because I have factories in both KL and Sarawak.
“Apart from branches and kiosks, customers from Johor also purchase the cakes to bring back to Singapore.
“Similarly, customers from Brunei would buy in large quantities to take home,” she added.
Empowering single mothers
Masnah revealed that approximately half of their employees are single mothers. This inclusive approach extends to both their branches in Sarawak and KL.
During peak seasons like Hari Raya, when orders surge, Mira Cake House staff work tirelessly to meet the high demand.
She emphasised their commitment to supporting single mothers, stating that their wages can exceed RM100 per day during festive periods.
“Our intention is to provide assistance, especially to single mothers. We mutually rely on each other. They need the income, and we need their valuable contributions,” she said.
Driven by the overwhelming demand, Masnah gained the idea of developing a semi-automated cake-making machine.
While some employees initially expressed concerns about potential job displacement, she assured them that the machine still required human supervision.
“Even though we are developing the cake-making machine, some cakes, like the beloved Kek Lapis Masam Manis, still demand the expertise of human hands.
“We need to delicately arrange each piece of haw flakes, the essential ingredient of the cake,” she asserted.
Currently in the research and development (R&D) phase, the cake-making machine project involves collaboration with a trusted fabricator.
Despite the financial challenges faced during this process, Masnah remains optimistic about the future success of the project, confident that it will yield positive outcomes.
Advice for budding entrepreneurs
“Embrace perseverance and leverage social media,” Masnah stressed.
She encouraged those without extensive formal education to embrace the entrepreneurial spirit, leveraging the opportunities provided by social media platforms to promote their products effectively.
She also urged individuals not to become tired easily or give in to despair when venturing into business.
Drawing from her own experience, she remarked: “Don’t hesitate to fully immerse yourself in the world of entrepreneurship.”
She noted that the significant advancements in technology and communication have revolutionised the business landscape.
While in her early days, word-of-mouth marketing was the primary method, she acknowledged that nowadays, the ease of buying and selling has increased significantly.
She pointed out the power of social media platforms such as TikTok, which make it simpler than ever to promote and sell products or services.
“Take advantage of these platforms,” she advised.
