The Bloom bakery operation began at Shalimar as a modest venture by two brothers who launched Bloom Bakers and made it into an esteemed brand. Sameer Fayaz together with Shahid Fayaz abandoned their Dubai employment positions to relocate back to their native Kashmir. Today, their bakery called Bloom Bakers is known not only in Kashmir but across India and even in UAE for their designer cakes and special cookies. The endpoint of this narrative describes how business excellence developed from a tiny shop to an entire business empire by prioritising both quality standards and wholehearted devotion.
Journey from Dubai to Srinagar
Sameer and Shahid Fayaz came from a family where everyone preferred jobs in government or private sectors. Our family existed without any knowledge of bakery operations as a business. All our immediate relatives maintained occupations between government agencies as well as private sector enterprises. Sameer explains that nobody in his family had any insight into bakery sector operation before that time.
During their four to five years in Dubai the brothers maintained a deep emotional connection to both Kashmiri culture and their relatives. We became aware of our significant distance from our parental home at that time. Sameer explains that there was a specific moment when we decided to create our small venture because it would allow us to remain connected to our traditions while staying in Kashmir by our parents’ side.
Coming back home to Kashmir proved to be quite difficult. The decision to leave stable employment in Dubai allowed them to begin something entirely new despite lacking any relevant experience. Family ties along with feelings of belonging proved greater than the security offered by working abroad.
Starting Small with Big Dreams
On arriving at the valley of Kashmir, they encountered several problems. “It’s true that there were many challenges in setting up a business here. As Sameer noted, everyone was filled with negativity of the bakery business – how it would be done, where it would be sold, even they themselves had no idea.
They begin in one room, with only a simple environment and only two individuals who are trained by them. One of the main problems they had at the beginning of the work was the identification of possible suppliers. Regarding the issues where we faced challenges, the first of them was with supplies.
However, they did not frown at the challenges ahead of them and they kept pursuing their vision. They were not discouraged by the challenges that came with the early days in order to capture the market in the bakery industry in Kashmir.
Quality: The Secret of Success
Ever since the creation of the company, the brothers concentrated in one thing, and that is quality. “We started with quality from the first day itself, that’s why we are growing and people like our products,” explains Sameer proudly.
Accompanying the high standards the company has set for itself, Sameer takes charge of the production process directly. I myself remain here so that the quality should not be compromised at any cost. But to the type of product the chef comes up with it is always crucial that I have a taste of the product he is cooking.
Specialization in Designer Cakes
Let it be mentioned that fancy and designer cakes have become a rage these days. Customers want customized cakes for every occasion, and Bloom Bakers has capitalized on this trend.
We have a wide range of products that includes cake, but cakes are our specialty. We can bake wedding cakes, anniversary cakes, birthday cakes, fancy cakes, and any theme that is required. Gone are the days when a customer must accept the design of jewellery that they least prefer; we at Istiksha design whatever a customer desires. As it is common today for most brides and grooms to have a desire of having designer wedding cakes, this is what we are offering, Sameer added.
From Local Community to International Markets
Bloom Bakers started by serving their local community. Their most troubled beginning was with the local community. They accept that when they realised that we started a bakery business, they were coming to our house to buy baked foods. When the locals accepted our products we shifted to the market, he continued.
Subsequently, through research and market samples they started supplying supermarkets, and hotel chains to other bakeries. Today, they are involved in business activities far beyond the geographical boundaries of Kashmir.
“Now we’re supplying to supermarkets, hotels, and some bakeries too. We are also catering to a few items within India or rather pan-India. I can also note some of our specialty products, particularly the special cookies that we offer and get supplied from here to UAE,” Sameer adds proudly.
Their special cookies are famous and now a delicacy being exported to United Arab Emirates, which indicates that local Kashmiri businesses are good on the international market.
Inspiration for Youth
Sameer and Shahid have not just established a successful business in the valley but have also created an inspiration for the youth. It is also evident from their experience that with consistent application of determination and fine quality, it is not impossible to expand the business on the international horizon but at the same time, one should not forget its Small Town roots.
“We wanted to start something from home, even if small, so that we could stay involved in our culture, remain in Kashmir, and live with our parents,” Sameer emphasizes. All in all, the two aspects of the story – business achievement and cultural ties – give their story relevance to the modern world that is increasingly becoming interconnected.
Challenges Overcome
It cannot be argued that the journey to that degree of success was not an easy one. The brothers encountered a major problem of lack of belief from many quarters, ignorance of the sporting goods industry, and other related issues complicating the logistics industry. Identifying the right suppliers for some ingredients especially for their operational location in Kashmir was quite difficult.
“There were many challenges. Setting up a business had a lot of negativity in the beginning for us – how would it be done; where would it be sold; we had no clue,” quoted Sameer.
But they addressed each challenge systematically, where they could acquire knowledge of experience when one road did not work and then make a shift to another one that was preferred by the market. It will also reveal the real strengths of this organisation, which has been consistent in ensuring quality provision in their services.
Future Plans
Today, Bloom Bakers has established itself as a premium bakery brand in Kashmir. Cakes are bought for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and other ceremonies by customers of this company.
Starting with just a single room, they have grown to supply across India and even internationally, but the brothers have not slept on their dreams yet. They are focused on quality, innovation and aim to bring the sweetness of kashmir to new parts of the world.
Conclusion
The story of Bloom Bakers demonstrates how returning to one’s roots can lead to unexpected success. By prioritizing quality, understanding local preferences, and maintaining a connection with their community, Sameer and Shahid Fayaz have built a bakery empire that serves as an inspiration for young entrepreneurs in Kashmir and beyond.
From a small room operation to an international brand, Bloom Bakers represents the sweet success that comes from blending traditional values with modern business practices. Indeed, as Sameer says, they wanted to be able to give themselves a chance to work, build a business, and be able to retain their culture at the same time, and it seems that they have achieved that in this regard.
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