In 2019, while visiting a friend, we tried the “Molochnaya Devochka” (Milk Maiden) cake for the first time — it won us over at once with its delicate taste. I really wanted to bring it to my hometown of Aktobe, but unfortunately there was none available.
Some time later I moved to Astana and discovered HappyCake’s pistachio roll. It became my favorite! Back then it was rarely found in other pastry shops, and I had to “hunt” for it to buy one. I loved the brand so much that every weekend I bought desserts only at HappyCake.
As the eldest sister in a large family, I always looked after my younger siblings and brought them the very best. That is how the idea came: I wanted my family in Aktobe to be able to try HappyCake cakes too. For me it was not so much about making money as about telling as many people as possible in my hometown about the brand.
I started looking for Askhat’s contacts through acquaintances. When I finally reached him and said that I wanted to open HappyCake in Aktobe, Askhat replied that he was just flying to my city to meet potential franchisees. At that moment I was in Almaty and my husband was on a business trip, but I left the children with my friend’s mother-in-law and urgently flew to Aktobe. I was the last candidate, but I managed to convince Askhat that I was the one they needed.
Later Askhat set up another meeting in Astana, this time with my husband, but we still did not get a definite answer. There were several more phone interviews, and then Askhat admitted that he was choosing between me and one other candidate. When that person learned about me, he said: “Give the franchise to Venera. I know her. She will do more for the brand than I could. She is a major restaurateur with extensive experience.”
“Give the franchise to Venera. I know her. She will do more for the brand than I could.”
That is how I became the first HappyCake franchise partner. It took a record time — just 40 days — from signing the agreement to opening the production facility. Today I am developing the HappyCake brand in Aktobe and in one of Almaty’s districts.
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