Today we’d like to introduce you to Haika Imtiaz.
Hi Haika, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started Sweetsbyhaika in May of this year as a side hustle while in college. With more free time, I wanted a creative outlet that could also be a rewarding business, and my love for baking and art made it a natural fit. Being born and raised in St. Louis, I noticed a unique opportunity in the area: there weren’t many people offering the kind of custom, handcrafted treats I was passionate about making. This gave me the idea to start my own business and fill that niche.
What began as a way to earn some extra pocket money has now grown into a successful small business. My passion for creativity and art has found a perfect home in this venture. The most surprising thing about this whole experience is how successful my business has become. I honestly was not expecting it to grow to this extent. I started Sweetsbyhaika as a simple side hustle, and it’s truly amazing that it has expanded into a full-time business. I hope to keep growing Sweetsbyhaika even bigger in the future and one day open my own shop with even more unique and custom treats!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While starting a business has been challenging, the journey has been incredibly rewarding. It was a bit rough in the beginning, but with the support of my community and the positive feedback from my clients, it has gotten so much easier. I never would have imagined I’d be where I am today. My clients came to me through word-of-mouth and my social media pages, and I’m even working with local businesses to sell and advertise my products. All of this support and the new ideas I’ve received from my customers have been a huge help.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in chocolate covered strawberries, and roses but with the amazing support of my community, I’ve expanded my menu to include a wide variety of custom desserts. Aside from just chocolate covered strawberries, my menu now includes everything from breakable chocolate boxes, cake pops, and dessert cups to strawberry flower bouquets, baskets, and intricate floral arrangements. I am a Pakistani American, and my culture has inspired a lot of my creations. Most of my dessert cups and cheesecake shooter flavors are inspired by Pakistani desserts, which is what I am most proud of. All of my desserts are hand-crafted and 100% Halal, and I also offer gluten-free options for a lot of my desserts.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
The most surprising thing in addition to being a 20 year old entrepreneur with my own business, and a full-time college student pursuing my Bachelor in Nursing, I also work a part time job. And I am a very active and engaged member of my community. I am deeply involved in both my Muslim and South Asian communities, where I serve as a leader and a role model for the youth. I also hold a leadership position in my college’s Muslim Student Association, where I help organize events and activities that promote understanding and community among students. Balancing my academic responsibilities with these leadership roles has taught me a lot about time management, compassion, and the importance of giving back to the community. Which helps me so much when engaging with my customers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/sweetsbyhaika
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetsbyhaika?igsh=OTRmMHZ6dXc4N3pj&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17BtBNKQqG/?mibextid=wwXIfr
