The following morning, Bani felt the weight of her decision to expand her team. While the bakery had been thriving, there was no denying that the constant juggling between orders, baking, and customer interaction was taking its toll on her. She needed help, but not just anyone—someone reliable, energetic, and ready to handle the task at hand.
Hiring the New Helper
By 9:00 AM, after a quick breakfast, Bani drafted a simple job description for a part-time bakery helper:
Responsibilities: Greeting customers, assisting with order pickups, packing and labeling items, maintaining cleanliness in the bakery, and managing inventory.
Required Skills: Friendly demeanor, ability to multitask, and a passion for baked goods.
She posted the ad on a couple of local job boards and shared it with friends in the area. Within the next couple of hours, she started getting messages from people interested in the role.
One application stood out to her—a young woman named Neha who had experience working in a café and loved baking. Bani called her immediately to set up an interview for that afternoon.
The Interview
By 3:00 PM, Neha arrived at the bakery, eager for the opportunity. She had a warm, welcoming personality and a genuine enthusiasm for the business. Bani quickly showed her around the bakery, explaining the daily tasks and the pace they worked at.
"I see you've already tried some of our cookies," Bani said, noticing the bag of cookies Neha was holding.
"Yes! I loved the butter cookies. I think I could help with packing and also assist customers who come in for pickup," Neha said, smiling.
Bani was impressed with her attitude and her quick understanding of what the job would require. She decided to offer her the job on the spot.
"I'd like you to start tomorrow, if that works for you," Bani said. "You'll be assisting with packing, greeting customers, and making sure everything runs smoothly while I focus on baking."
Neha was thrilled. "I'm excited! I'll give it my best."
The First Day with Neha
By 10:00 AM the next day, Neha started her first day at the bakery. She was quick to learn, setting up the counter and greeting the first few customers who came in to pick up orders. Bani had prepared a fresh batch of cookies—cardamom-pistachio and chocolate sea salt—so Neha helped pack them, labeling them with care for delivery.
The morning rush went smoothly. Neha was an asset, efficiently handling pickups and ensuring that the cookies were packaged perfectly.
Handling the Customers and Their Requests
By 12:00 PM, a regular customer came in—an office worker who ordered a batch of pastries the day before. As Neha greeted her with a smile, Bani noticed how well she was managing.
"Hi, I'm here to pick up the order for Café Blossom," the customer said.
Neha nodded, "Yes, right here. I'll double-check the order for you." She handed over the pastries with a cheerful, confident smile.
The customer paused for a moment, eyeing the cookies on display. "You've got something new today? These sea salt cookies look interesting!"
Bani, stepping in to assist, said, "Yes, we've added dark chocolate with sea salt. It's perfect with a cup of tea or coffee. Would you like to try some with your order?"
The customer smiled and took a couple, adding them to her order.
"That's exactly the kind of energy I need today," she said, smiling at Neha.
The bakery was buzzing with orders, and Neha was proving herself more than capable of handling customer interactions.
Expanding Her Role
As the day progressed, Bani realized that Neha wasn't just helping with packing—she was actively engaging with customers, creating an inviting atmosphere in the bakery. This was exactly what Bani needed.
By 3:00 PM, Bani pulled Neha aside. "I'm glad to see how well you're doing today. You've got the hang of everything. I was wondering if you'd like to help with inventory management as well—keeping track of what we have, and what we need to restock."
Neha smiled enthusiastically. "I'd love to. It's always important to keep track of inventory, especially with things moving as fast as they do here."
Bani felt confident she had made the right choice, and Neha's addition to the team was already making a noticeable difference.
A Smooth Day Ahead
By 7:00 PM, the bakery was winding down. With Neha's help, Bani was able to handle orders, bake fresh batches of cookies, and respond to a new set of inquiries from other cafés interested in partnering.
The hotel was steady as well, with Aman handling dinner service smoothly after the changes in portion sizes. Both sides of the family business were now running like a well-oiled machine.
The bakery had the right balance of helpful team members and a growing demand for unique products, while the hotel was working hard to adjust to customer needs.
As Bani locked up the bakery for the night, she smiled at her progress.
Hiring Neha was just the beginning. With her team growing, Bani knew she could focus on expanding the bakery's reach—and making sure that every customer left with a smile and a delicious treat.