I’m Viva Andrada O’Flynn of Love Viva Cakes and Crafts. I make the cake of your dreams come to life for your important celebrations so you can enjoy special moments with your family and friends free from stress and worry. My kitchen has been awarded a 5 food hygiene rating (the highest rating possible for food hygiene and food standards). Here I’d like to share my story with you.
I’m originally from the Philippines. There, I co-own a fashion store with my sister, Happy, called Fashion ART. When you abbreviate it, it’s called FART. Interesting name isn’t it? We’ve been featured in various media: print, TV, online, radio because of our delightful products and of course our name F*ART Fashion ART.
In the Philippines, I was an entrepreneur, artist, journalist, event organizer, and a trained chef. I went to London in 2014 to further my studies as a chef at Le Cordon Bleu. I attended a cooking class and there I met my future husband, John. After a year of us flying to visit each other and keeping in touch online, we got married in the Philippines.
I’ve left the life I’ve known, family, friends and moved here to the UK to be with my husband, John. Since then I’ve used my skills and experience in Gloucestershire and have been Entrepreneurs Champion of Create on the Square and Coffee Shop Manager of the Friendship Café among others. I’ve been living here in the UK for three years now.
I’ve started Love Viva Cakes and Crafts two years ago when I attended Angela De Souza’s Ultimate Business Course workshop with Betaris Training. I feel fortunate to become part of that. Last year has been quite a blessing. I won Creative Business of the Year Runner Up and Best New Business Finalist awarded by Women’s Business Club. It feels great to be part of Women’s Business Club, a national network of businesswomen that aims to connect, support and empower women who are in business. With Women’s Business Club, I’m looking for clients, collaboration and referrals.
On the subject of baking. I’ve always loved baking since my grandma asked me to help her out in her kitchen when I was 5 years old. The wafting aroma of freshly baked homemade goods transports me back to my childhood years and I’m filled with love. Whenever I bake, I listen to love songs so my secret recipe which isn’t so secret anymore is love.
Cake is a symbol of joy, celebration, belonging, friendship and love. You eat cake to enjoy life. Did you know that cakes also have healthful benefits? Cakes are made by mixing flour, eggs, and sugar together and they’re excellent sources of carbohydrates, thus cake provides you energy. So the next time you’re having a special occasion, do add cake to your menu and indulge. I can help you with your cake needs. I make vegan, gluten free cakes as well. I also make handmade gifts that you could share with the people you love.
Here in the UK, I’m also dabbling into events. I’ve organised craft fairs at Gloucester Resource Centre, the Friendship Café and Gloucester Guildhall, and more to come. Final words I’d like to say is it can be tough on the business journey from starting it and continuing it from day to day. I keep persevering, taking one step at a time. I have a long way to go to reach my goals, but It feels good that with Women’s Business Club, I’m not alone in my business journey. Thank you Women’s Business Club for giving me this opportunity and platform to develop my best self with likeminded wonder women.
I look forward to creating treats for your special feasts.
Love,
Viva
www.loveviva.co