Having to undertake the mantle of raising a son while juggling the complexities of running a business seemed like a daunting experience—diving into the unknown and venturing into an unfamiliar world.
Roneka Nadia Sam and her son
Despite this, Roneka Sam managed to revitalise a wave of innovation within her, warming up all of their dreams and goals, even during pregnancy.
Roneka Sam dived into the unknown while having her son—navigating labour and creating a business simultaneously.
Speaking to this news publication, Sam shared that her journey began when she was working in a corporate environment during the turbulent times of the pandemic which recently has been very prosperous for her.
She eventually took a leave from the corporate world to take care of her son—and never looked back—pursuing her goals while raising a newborn. Her business officially launched in November 2021.
The first watermelon cake Roneka created for her father-in-law, the late Mr Desmond Sam
Within her business, Sam now offers traditional cakes, cupcake bouquets, do-it-yourself (DIY) cupcake kits, and muffins. She specialises in classic Guyanese treats, including the cherished black cake, and has introduced a novelty to the local market: a fresh watermelon fruit cake—reportedly the first of its kind in Guyana.
Reflecting on her journey, she credited the encouragement of her late father as a driving force. He had consistently urged her to start a business. Her husband also played a key role, suggesting that since she would be at home, it was the perfect opportunity to launch her own venture.
According to Sam, the birth of her son was the defining moment that made her decide to go into business.
“It was my son, you know—the birth of my son reignited something in me that I thought had died a long time ago – the business ideas.”
Christmas tree fruit arrangement created by Roneka
Everything she bakes and creates is made fresh, from scratch, and with love.
One of the standout items she offers is the watermelon fruit cake, which has left everyone who has tasted it craving more.
“What we do is use a watermelon and basically carve it into the structure of a cake, then decorate it with fruit. Wow.”
Like many of her ventures, the watermelon cake also has a heartfelt backstory. Her late father-in-law, who had been ill for some time and had dietary restrictions, inspired the creation of the fruit-based cake.
“So, the watermelon fruit cake started when my father-in-law was ill. He loved cakes but was on a restricted diet. He really wanted a cake for his birthday, and I thought, ‘You know what, the only thing you can use is fruit.’”
“After he was diagnosed, he really wanted a cake for his birthday. We wanted to bring joy and celebration during a time when everyone was adjusting. So, I thought, why not make a watermelon cake for him? I did some research—and that’s how the idea was born.”
Sam also mentioned that the watermelon fruit cake is a great alternative for those who are gluten-intolerant or seeking a healthier treat.
“After my maternity leave, my family was very supportive,” she said. “My husband has been my number one supporter, along with my mother. He’s also in the catering industry. With their support, I was able to tweak some of our family recipes and create my own twist on them.”
“What I really wanted to build was a legacy. Coming from a generation of bakers—even though they may not have been in business—I thought, ‘Why can’t I do something that would leave a lasting impression?’ I wanted future generations to have something they could use as a guide, preserving our family recipes and traditions.”
She also had a word for aspiring women entrepreneurs—especially those navigating motherhood or even labour.
“You won’t know what’s out there until you try. At first, I was scared and very intimidated. But you have to have self-confidence and know your worth. Know that you have something special to offer. Women can do it all—balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship. It’s worth it. We’re nurturers. And we can do it. This is how we do regular exercise.”
