You can expect to see long queues forming outside a Co Armagh mum's newest business venture when it opens its doors next weekend.
Rhiannon’s Cakes and Bakes will be opening on The Promenade in Portstewart next Saturday, March 25th at 9am.
It's the latest venture for young mum-of-three Rhiannon Woolsey, who is looking forward to bringing her trademark homemade cakes and bakes and hot drinks to the fantastic community in the beautiful seaside town.
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And for the 32-year-old businesswoman, it's an amazing achievement having started up her firm, Rhiannon’s Cakes and Bakes, only three years ago in her own kitchen.
Rhiannon and her team offer around 60 different varieties of sweet and savoury treats including scones, soda farls and wheaten bread to an array of freshly homemade traybakes and cupcakes and a range of hot drinks.
As well as running a hugely successful business with the help of her husband, Gordon, Rhiannon is also mum to Ben, 12, Hannah, 10 and seven-year-old Jessica.
After leaving further education at the age of 18 with a National Diploma in Business, Rhiannon started out with her parents in their coffee shop, 'Esthers' on the Armagh Road in Portadown and began baking more from home for all occasions.
"This is where I learnt how to bake and am so thankful for the opportunity to work in the family business. It's something I will be forever grateful for," she said.
"I worked there for a number of years and then took time off to have my family. A few years ago, as my children grew up, I started baking more from home, using this time to develop new skills, self-teach and attend various courses and generally improve recipes and also try out new things.
"Over the last few years, I was receiving a lot more enquiries and bookings for all occasions. This is when I realised I had to make the decision to register as a small business and set up my various social media platforms.
"In June 2020, I gave up my part time job as a classroom assistant (which I loved!) to pursue my dream of baking full time. I started up a small business in a cabin in my back garden - The Cabin Shop on Scotch Street."
At the start of last year as Rhiannon continued to get busier, it was evident that she had two options, to continue as things were or expand.
She explained: "We chose option two and expanded to a second shop in Moira which opened in February 2022. Then, in August, we opened our third shop, this time on the Stranmillis Road in south Belfast followed by a fourth location in September at Woods’ SuperValu on Main Street in the village of Richhill."
And the expansion hasn't stopped there as just this month, Rhiannon signed two new leases for a fifth location in Portstewart and a sixth at Rushmere Shopping Centre in Craigavon.
"In Portstewart, we will be located at 71A The Promenade, on the Main Street of this busy seaside town which we absolutely love! In Rushmere, we will be based at a kiosk just through the main entrance doors," she said.
"We are so excited to be opening in both of these fantastic locations and bringing our treats to even more locations across Northern Ireland.
"It is an exciting time as we expand our business further and operate in six locations across Northern Ireland while also recruiting additional staff both in the shops and in our bakery to cope with the demand."
Rhiannon added: "Who knows what’s next for Rhiannon’s Cakes and Bakes or which town or village we will turn up in next across NI! All I know is I am thankful to each and every one of you, our amazing customers and also to my fantastic staff team (all 36 of them), who make this all possible.
"I would also like to thank my family circle for supporting me and encouraging me to take the step into setting up my own business - I couldn't have done it without you all.
"In the last month, my husband Gordon has given up full time work to take on a part time role to allow more time to dedicate to growing the business.
"I absolutely love what I do and I love making people happy and putting a smile on you and your loved ones faces through the bakes that I create."
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