Videlle Ramsay, 17, hopes to make her bakery business her full-time job when she graduates. (Submitted)
Videlle Ramsay has done something few people her age ever have—she started her own business.
Ramsay, 17, runs and owns Videlle Bakes, a staple Night Market vendor that sells a variety of baked goods, like cupcakes, cookies and macarons.
She says she was drawn to baking from a young age.
“I’ve been baking pretty much my whole life. I started in the kitchen when I was three years old with my mom. I’ve always wanted to start my own business, have my own little shop, so I just thought, why not start now?” she said.
Ramsay says her she opened the business about a year ago. Her shop consists of classic items like cupcakes and cookies, but with a “modern twist.”
“They (customers) always come back for cupcakes, and also I have these things called “luxury cookies” where they’re made with brown butter, homemade toffee, and dark chocolate, and every week I get people coming back for more,” she said.
She says her favourite thing to bake is french macarons, which are fun and challenging, and a great way to try out unique flavours.
Posted by Videlle Bakes on Thursday, July 25, 2019
Ramsay does all the baking by herself, but her mom is like her “mom-ager,” she explains with a laugh.
“She helps me manage some things and helps me get my priorities in check if I lose my focus, and she helps me at the markets every Thursday.”
She says running a business at such a young age has taught her a lot, especially around time management and balancing priorities.
“I still have to deal with my public school, running a business, you know I have a family that I have to spend time with, and I like to travel a lot. It’s a lot more work than I ever expected it to be, and it takes a lot of time but it’s well worth it,” she said.
“When you’re young you want to just hang out with your friends but when you start a business you kind of learn that work is important, school is important, family is important.”
Videlle Bakes only runs at the Night Market right now, but Ramsay says she has lots of ideas for what’s next.
“I’m in the process of working with some companies for catering. We will also be doing events in the winter,” she said. “Mainly I think winter is going to be a few markets here and there, but more relaxing, and you know, having a break for once.”
Ramsay says once she graduates high school, she hopes to make this her full-time business.
