How to Build an Online Baking Academy (From Scratch to ₹Lakhs)
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Smriti Special, a brand born from a childhood passion for baking, began its journey in 2014 as a simple Facebook page. The founder, an architect by profession, initially faced resistance from her parents who envisioned a different career path. However, her love for baking, nurtured by friends and a growing social media following, ultimately took center stage.
The year 2015 marked a pivotal point when Smriti held her first online masterclass. This venture not only confirmed her passion for teaching but also solidified the foundation for Smriti Special. The brand's name itself is a heartfelt tribute to her Nani (grandmother), who's loving words, "kya special layi ho mere liye?" (meaning "what special treat have you brought me?"), continue to inspire Smriti's creativity.
Building a successful online academy wasn't without its challenges. The post-pandemic surge in online baking courses forced Chef Smriti to adapt, but she refused to compromise on quality. Instead, she innovatively catered to evolving consumer needs while maintaining the high standards that define Smriti Special. Her deep connection to Indian heritage is at the heart of her uniqueness, as she infuses her baking with cultural influences and regional ingredients. This approach not only elevates her creations but also provides students with the opportunity to explore the vibrant world of Indian flavors and techniques.
Chef Smriti's journey, as she herself says, is a testament to the fact that "change is the only constant." It's this philosophy that has allowed Smriti Special to not only survive but thrive in the ever-evolving world of online baking education.
Curious to learn the secrets of her success? Tune in to our podcast episode for Chef Smriti's inspiring story – it might just be the recipe for your own online success!
Time Stamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:33 - About Chef Smriti & her journey.
6:48 - Time it took for chef Smriti to start her first class.
8:40 - How to train yourself without professional guidance.
12:47 - How Chef Smriti met Chef Lata & how she helped in her journey.
13:52 - Journey after taking her first class.
18:21 - How Chef Smriti started Smriti’s Special and the story behind the name Smriti Special.
19:49 - When did Chef Smriti first start and how did she teach in the beginning.
21:12 - How to hire a pastry studio for online classes and the Costing of pastry studios.
23:45 - Motivation behind starting an online academy.
26:55 - Planning infrastructure for a premium online bakery academy and Investment required for a bakery academy.
29:48 - First 6 months of starting the online academy.
31:10 - Courses offered initially by chef Smriti.
32:29 - Journey from a web page to a full website.
33:11 - Planning the first 6 months of an online academy in 2024.
34:59 - Handling queries from students in online classes.
36:29 - Profitability of the online academy business model in 2024.
38:42 - Promoting online courses in 2017.
39:44 - Best way to promote online courses in 2024.
41:50 - Challenges faced initially & how to resolve them.
43:52 - How the business dealt with COVID-19.
47:14 - Learnings from covid- 19.
48:27 - Opinion on the people who started selling online courses during Covid.
50:28 - Changes in consumer behavior towards online courses after COVID.
54:46 - The purpose behind having an offline studio.
56:09 - The whole process of planning pop-up stores for newcomers.
1:02:21 - Chef smriti’s view on mall pop up stores.
1:04:03 - Investment required for pop-up stores.
1:05:38 - Mistakes to avoid with pop-up stores.
1:10:20 - Planning & challenges behind the first life-size edible haldi pandal at the India Bake Show.
1:18:30 - How to infuse different cultures into pastries & cakes.
1:23:25 - Reaction of people towards Indian flavor infused desserts.
1:26:12 - Personal Favorite dessert of Chef Smriti from her course.
1:27:00 - Customisation of cakes.
1:28:09 - Thought process behind Chef Smriti’s joyfull reels.
1:29:55 - The future of Smriti Special & Anant India.
1:32:12 - Rapid fire round.
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