Annie Reid and Diane Ahmu, Kiwi sisters of Tongan descent, feel a divine guiding light helping them in their new baking business.
Their business name—Macho Mini Cupcakes—helps distinguish their cupcakes from others, they say. “Ours are halfway between a traditional cupcake and the mini cupcakes offered elsewhere. The size is just right, not too large, not too small,” according to Diane.
“Our target market is the older female, but men can also enjoy the playful cupcake because no man is too macho for our minis,” added Annie.
The Macho Mini sisters, from Auckland, New Zealand, have always been busy women. Both are married to “wonderful husbands,” have children, pursued professional education (Diane has two degrees) and volunteer in their local congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Being bakers of mini-cupcakes bursting with fabulous flavours and delightfully decorated—clearly a reflection of their happy personalities—began with their desires to be more self-reliant individuals and to help provide for their families.
In their view, someone who is self-reliant knows the principles, obtains the skills, and develops the habits necessary to spiritually, emotionally and financially support themselves, and to help their family prosper.
They say two key ingredients mixed together helped them start their business seven months ago.
First, they took to heart the scriptural promises relating to God providing for his children (D&C 104:15) and helping them prosper as they strive to follow Jesus Christ in their lives.
“[God and Jesus Christ] are in the details of our lives and know how to help us, and will, if we let them,” said Annie.
The second key ingredient was a “Starting and Growing My Business” course offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through its Self-Reliance Services.
Self-Reliance Services’ courses and support groups help individuals learn the principles, obtain the skills, and develop the habits necessary to spiritually, emotionally and financially support themselves and help support their family.
According to the course manual, the goal of the Starting and Growing My Business course, complete with a support group, is not only to help you with your business by practicing key business principles for self-employment such as record keeping, marketing, and cash management; it is also to help you act in greater obedience and faith in the Lord and receive His promised blessings of temporal and spiritual self-reliance.
Some of the other offerings from Self-Reliance Services provide the education and support needed to improve your current employment, manage your family finances and build the personal confidence and faith needed to succeed.
Learn more about the courses offered here.
The Self-Reliance courses are available without charge to the general public as well as Church members. Many Church meetinghouses throughout the Pacific have Self-Reliance Centres.