Sweet Empowerment: Cadbury-Backed Women Bakers Mentor the Next Generation of Home Entrepreneurs

Every successful journey has a story worth sharing. For two women who turned their passion for baking into thriving home-based businesses, the next chapter is about inspiring others to discover what they can achieve.

In the spirit of this belief, Cadbury celebrated the entrepreneurial journeys of women bakers from its partnership with MyKasih Foundation as they startt mentoring aspiring home entrepreneurs. At a hands-on baking workshop held at PPR Raya Permai on 31 October, MyKasih bakers Saraswathy Periyasamy (Kak Saras) and Nur Sharzi Bashar (Pn Sharzi) shared their baking expertise, recipes and business experiences with 20 women from the community.

Led by the experienced bakers, participants had the opportunity to learn how to prepare three Cadbury-inspired recipes, including cookies and brownies, while exchanging ideas and discovering new ways to explore their interest in baking. Beyond the recipes, the workshop provided a space for the women to learn from one another, build connections and explore the possibilities that their own skills and creativity could unlock. Each participant also brought home their freshly-baked treats to share with their families.

“At Cadbury, we believe generosity is most meaningful when it creates a ripple effect. What makes this initiative especially rewarding is seeing these women grow from passionate home bakers into confident entrepreneurs who are now sharing their knowledge and inspiring others,” said See Mei Sin, Marketing Director of Mondelēz International Malaysia & Singapore. “Their journeys are a testament to the talent, determination and entrepreneurial spirit that exists in every community. Our role is to help create opportunities for that potential to flourish, and we’re proud to continue building on this programme so that more women can learn, connect and pursue their own ambitions.”

From Home Kitchens to Thriving Businesses

Since 2023, Cadbury has partnered with MyKasih Foundation to give women from low-income households a leg up in developing their baking skills and building businesses of their own. Through practical skills training and mentoring, the participants have steadily grown from selling to neighbours to running independent operations, a journey capped by a Malaysia Book of Records achievement for the Most Cadbury Chocolate Cookies Baked for a Charity Campaign.

Now, these women are much more than programme participants. They are entrepreneurs with valuable experience to share, and role models within their communities.

Generosity Passed On

For Kak Saras, becoming a mentor is a meaningful opportunity to share the knowledge and experience she has gained along the way. “When I first started baking, I was simply doing something I loved – over time, I discovered it could become so much more. I’ve learned a lot throughout this journey with Cadbury and MyKasih, and I’m happy to share what I know with other women. If something I’ve learned can inspire someone else or help them take their own first step, that makes it even more meaningful,” she said.

Pn Sharzi added: “Every baking journey is different, and there’s always something new we can learn from one another. It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to share our experiences, exchange ideas and encourage other women. I hope everyone leaves today feeling inspired to keep learning and creating.”

Held in the lead-up to Deepavali, the workshop also reflects the spirit of the Festival of Lights – celebrating new beginnings, bringing people together and sharing joy and generosity with those around us. Much like the festive tradition of preparing and sharing food with family, friends and neighbours, the bakers’ willingness to pass on their knowledge is a reminder that generosity grows when it is shared.

A Continuing Commitment

The workshop is just one step in Cadbury’s Kuih Raya Dari Hati initiative, a programme that has evolved and grown since 2021 to bring similar opportunities to more communities across Malaysia. With the MyKasih bakers taking the lead as mentors, the programme will build on their experiences and expertise to inspire more women to develop their skills, explore entrepreneurship and pursue new possibilities.

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Also read: Sweet Independence: Cadbury Malaysia Turns Home Baking into Lifelong Economic Empowerment for Women