Caketastrophic Turn of Events
17-year-old Nasuha Binte Salamat isn’t unfamiliar with controversy. In fact, her $15 viral bakes sold under her business Caketastrophic, came about from a controversy that she faced in the past. She tells us more
Followers of Caketastrophic know its owner, 17-year-old Nasuha Binte Salamat, as a talented baker of affordable bento cakes. Her vintage themed cakes don’t just look good, they’re halal and taste good too. Her home-based business has garnered 21.5K followers on TikTok and continues to grow.
Photo credit: @caketastrophicsg
But what most people aren’t aware of is the story behind how Caketastrophic started. The Ngee Ann Polytechnic Business Studies student has had rebellious moments in her younger days that eventually led her to where she is today. She believes that her boldness and ambition at a young age played a crucial role to where she is today
Her journey started back in secondary school, when Nasuha found herself suspended from school for acting up as she couldn’t control her emotions well. Along with the suspension, came the loss of her CCA leader badge from the Entrepreneurship Club as well. Then, her teachers told her that she had to “earn it back” but Nasuha’s ego stood in the way.
“I’m not interested in working for something I had already earned,” she said firmly. To prove to herself that she was more than a badge, Nasuha channelled her energy into something else: baking.
“When I first started, my cake didn’t even look like a cake - it was more like a hard biscuit,” she admitted with a laugh. Her small pet project grew into something much larger with the potential to turn it into something bigger. The name behind her business Caketastrophic was inspired by the word “catastrophic” because she wanted to make cakes that were explosively good!
Photo credit: @caketastrophicsg
What started out with just cakes has now grown to include tarts and cookies.
Whisking Business Together with Books
For Nasuha, balancing school and running a business has never been an issue. It all comes down to making use of every pocket of time - “It’s all about time management, baking is a process,” she shared. Whether her batter is in the oven, or while the cake is chilling in the fridge, she squeezes in time to study. Even during brief waiting periods, she remains productive and has established a good routine to carry her through.
In an era where home-based baking businesses are everywhere, Caketastrophic stands out from the rest because of Nasuha’s chaotic and sometimes controversial promotional methods on social media. “Controversy is necessary for content to go viral... I said what I said,” she declared.
To capture attention, Nasuha blends her promotional content with personal stories that are light-hearted and funny. Her most iconic content to date? Definitely her “Why you touch my tits” audio that went viral on TikTok which many found funny, unexpected and scroll-stopping. “That’s how I promote my business without making it feel like an advertisement,” she explained. This strategy has drawn in curious viewers, who thereafter quickly learn that she sells affordable cakes for $15.
The idea to create $15 bento cakes stemmed from the age group of her target audience – teenagers. “I wanted to create something affordable for teenagers, so I knew that my price point needed to be between $10-$15,” she shared.
Rising through Challenges and Controversy
Although social media undoubtedly played a big role in boosting her fame and business, Nasuha also acknowledges that being in the spotlight comes with its own set of challenges. “I’ve managed to build a brand, there are many people that support me, which I am thankful for. But on the flip side, some people do take advantage of you,” she shared honestly.
Over time, she’s learnt the importance of picking her friends wisely and establishing relationships with people who genuinely enjoy her company and not just the attention that comes with her growing fame.
Aside from running a thriving business, her proudest achievement was when she was approached by Mediacorp for an interview about her business – an experience she holds close to her heart. She referred to this as a meaningful milestone she shared with her father. “From his reaction, I could feel that I had succeeded as a daughter. That was my proudest moment - knowing I made my father proud,” she expressed with a beaming smile.
Photo credit: Nasuha Salamat
Nasuha once again found herself at the centre of a controversy. She had lashed out at a customer on Instagram who’d asked her what type of butter she uses. Assuming it was a troll, she snapped back sarcastically, “Go ask Swee Heng what brand they use.” The customer exposed the interaction on TikTok which sparked a wave of backlash. Nasuha soon became a victim of online bullying which eventually spilled over into her real life.
The constant teasing and hate from her peers made her feel like an outcast. “Most of my friends drifted from me. Only one friend stuck with me throughout,” she shared. She eventually realised her mistake and treated the incident like a learning experience. “When it all happened, I felt really sad, the hate affected me. But I always remind myself that I can bounce back, my actions will speak louder than my words,” she recounted.
Frosting with Aspirations and Advice
When life gets overwhelming, it’s Nasuha’s aspirations of becoming a young mother that keep her going. “I want to become the kind of mother I wish I had,” she shared. To reach her goal, she understands the importance of being financially secure. “That’s where my baking business comes in,” she explained.
Her biggest advice to other young entrepreneurs is to always be resilient and never grow complacent. Nasuha elaborated, “You can go down anytime and that’s what happened to me. I lost everything and I’ve never seen people so cruel,” referring to the controversy she faced with a customer. She has realised the importance of mental strength and self-accountability and tells herself, “If I fall, it should be because of myself, not others.”
Nasuha has big dreams for Caketastrophic and aims to have a proper shop by the time she graduates from polytechnic. “Right now, I’m actively saving up and gaining experience. That’s why I’m joining baking classes and learning as much as I can.”
Head over to @caketastrophicsg on Instagram and TikTok to find out more about Nasuha and her mouth-watering creations!
