1. A brief introduction about yourself.
I am Nishakya Kodagoda. I am from Delkanda. My business is Butter Icing Cake making, and I do it at home. That means in Delkanda, Nugegoda area.
2. A brief explanation of how you entered the field.
Yes, speaking of that, I started this as a business in the year 2017, but during that time, I was employed. I had no intention of starting a business. The day I saw an advertisement on Facebook by chance, I attended a cake class, learned from it, and made cakes for my family, friends, and acquaintances. That’s how my career started by accident. In 2017, I started posting my cake designs on Facebook and Instagram, and at the same time, many people asked me for cake orders, so it naturally became a business. The beginning has been successful so far. Now this is my full-time career.
3. What are the challenges and experiences you have had so far in cake design?
Speaking of challenges, the main problem to be faced while doing a cake-related business in our country is that it is difficult to find the ingredients needed to make cakes or quality ingredients. For example, we have to buy things like gel colors from an importer, which costs a lot of money, and it is difficult to find those things. Also, things like icing sugar are not of high quality in Sri Lanka. Things like strawberries and blueberries are needed for cakes, but it is difficult to find those things in Sri Lanka; even if you can find them, they are expensive. Another challenge is that there is no proper method to transport cake orders in Sri Lanka, which means there is no third party to deliver responsibly. If many customers like to have their requested cake brought to them, another thing besides those challenges is the climate of Sri Lanka, because I only make butter icing cakes, I think there will be no problem for those who make other types of cakes. But with this climate in Sri Lanka, making this butter icing cake is a big challenge for me. Lack of facilities is the biggest challenge for a cake business in Sri Lanka. I faced that challenge, and I am still facing it.
4. How many wedding cake designs have you completed, and what is the most unique cake design for you?
In terms of wedding cakes, I have made 150 or more so far. Among those cakes, a special cake for me is one I made one cake of about 15 kg, which is not a layered cake, but it is in different sizes on different stands. The customer said that she wanted a lot of cakes to fill the table. I made that cake in the year 2018, and I will never forget that cake. At that time, I didn’t have much experience in this field, so I will never forget making that cake, transporting it, and setting it up. Therefore, among the cakes I have made so far, that cake is the one I will never forget.
5. How much does the bride and groom’s cake design contribute to the beauty of the wedding? Your opinion.
Speaking of that, the way of paying attention to it varies from customer to customer. That means people who buy cakes from me often don’t think too much about the appearance of the cake, because I don’t design cakes. I have never made a cake that looks so special when entering a wedding ceremony. Because I have not used things like structures, royal icing, or fondant cake. Because of that, 99% of the clients who come to me are expecting real cake. That means I get a lot of orders in anticipation of cutting the actual cake, going home and enjoying it, or serving it to guests. The taste of my cake is very important to them; most of the cake structures are like Christmas cake, but many people want to enjoy the fresh cake. Almost everyone likes buttercakes in Sri Lanka. I have sent my orders not only to Sri Lanka but also to other countries, and they also like the taste of Sri Lankan original cakes. So everyone wants that taste. Nowadays, many people prefer simple cake designs rather than fancy cakes. Most of the cake orders I receive are for simple cake designs because the only hope I have when they give me their order is the taste of the cake. Sharing and enjoying the cake with people is their happiness, I think, more than thinking about the beauty of the cake.
6. How do you support your customers in entrusting you with the cake design on their wedding day?
One of my specialties is that I am flexible with what the customer says. A lot of people in this industry have their own set of conditions, which means that they have a set price for each of their cakes, and for example, say they only make tiered cakes of this size. But I don’t have such conditions. If someone tells me that they want a single-layer cake, I will make it as per their requirement. Another thing is that many clients say that it is easy to work with me because when I accept a job, I don’t say things like I need to meet them personally to talk about it. They can place the order for me online, I just have to place the order telling them what they want and how they want the cake. If they have any problem regarding the cake (that is, I make buttercream cake, within that range), they can call me or leave a message anytime and ask me about it. Now we are all very busy, so the best support I can give to my customers is my flexibility to their needs.
7. What advice would you give to a couple planning a wedding?
When some clients come to me, they have no idea what kind of cake they want, and some people come with an idea in their head about what kind of cake they want. Some other people come with a fondant design or a structured design, and when they say that I do not do them, they ask about their needs and what my idea is, and when I propose a cake, they agree. Similarly, some clients have made a different design for me than the one they brought. Another thing is that the first thing I do is ask them about the wedding location, indoor or outdoor, because if the function is outdoor, I do not recommend the butter icing cake to them. After all, I know from my experience that a butter icing cake is not suitable for an outdoor function in a country like Sri Lanka in very hot weather. because the icing can melt quickly in such times. According to the advice I gave, some customers accepted it and cut the cake inside the hall. They made such changes. Because I make butter icing cakes, I often advise my customers under what conditions the cake should be kept, even if I bring the cake, I bring the cake after turning on the A/C. Because some people have no idea about this, they sometimes ask to bring the cake while decorating the flowers, but I explain it to them and tell them that it is difficult to do so, and the cake may melt. And then they understand it.
8. What is your opinion about Poruwa.lk marriage proposal service?
If we really talk about Poruwa.lk, you are providing a great service to Sri Lankans. I consider it very important. My opinion is that it is a good thing because it protects the privacy of your site, especially for girls. Another thing is that the process is very easy; you can easily create an ad for yourself, or it is very important to support your team. So I have to say that this site is very valuable.
9. How to contact you for cake design?
There are several ways to contact me, through Facebook or Instagram. Also, my phone number is 077 031 4248, and I am also on WhatsApp with the same number. So you can contact me by giving me a call or leaving a message.
10. A brief mention of your offer to Poruwa.lk customers
Yes, I can give a 10% discount on Wedding, Homecoming, and Engagement Cakes; that offer is valid from August this year to August 2025. Get this offer Poruwa.lk customers can get this offer by using the BL10 Promo Code for online orders.
11. Who are the people you are thankful for in your successful career journey so far?
I have to thank my family, they have been my strength since the day I started my business till now. Thank you very much for the support they gave me. Apart from my family members, I also want to thank my vendors because they provided me with all the ingredients I needed, and I got a lot of support from them. Thank you, everyone, for everything.
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