Young Entrepreneur's Journey from Malisheve to London

In Kosovo, traditional gender roles have long influenced societal expectations, particularly regarding women's roles in the workforce and public life. Historically, women in Kosovo have been expected to prioritize family responsibilities over professional ambitions, with many facing significant social and cultural barriers when attempting to pursue careers or entrepreneurial ventures. These expectations are deeply rooted in patriarchal norms, where women are often seen primarily as caregivers, limiting their access to education, employment, and leadership opportunities.

Despite these challenges, in recent years, more women have broken through these traditional barriers and made significant strides in various fields, including entrepreneurship. However, this progress is uneven, and many women, especially those in rural areas, continue to face obstacles such as limited access to resources, financial support, and networks essential for starting and growing a business.

Borebardha Mazreku, or Bardha, was born and raised in Malisheve, a small traditional town in central Kosovo. As a high school student, she experienced a different life in Prizren, and she wanted to bring some of the colorful, tasty Italian, French, and Turkish delights she has enjoyed in Prizren closer to her home.

With the support of her family, in 2018, Bardha started "Bardha's Cake," and life in Malisheve was never the same. Suddenly, this young woman started a business and employed other women to work, too. Her shop was pink and bright on an otherwise grey street, and she served extravagant cakes, drinks, and desserts. Bardha recalls that period:

One of the biggest challenges I faced during these years was that in the beginning, many suppliers would refuse to work with a small business in a small town, and then it also made it more difficult that I was a young woman of just age 20. I would try to negotiate better terms with the suppliers, but some of them even refused to have a coffee chat. Later, I saw this as an opportunity to find more flexible suppliers and those who share the same values as we did.

With persistence and grit, Bardha overcame these obstacles and built up her business. Today, Bardha's Cake employs 17 women and 13 men and has a bright future. But, there is another kind of success Bardha is even prouder of:

The most significant for me was the change I brought to my town. Bardha's Cake is the first sweet shop to bring around forty different cakes, tarts, and pies recipes. We're the only one to offer mocktails, fresh juices, smoothies, and shakes. On the other hand, we are the only business with a social mission where we strictly hire women from rural areas to work in our kitchen. We train our chefs for two to four weeks on how to bake cakes, then hire them either temporarily or permanently. Most importantly, Bardha's Cake is the first coffee shop to hire women as waitresses. I am mostly proud of this wind of change because now other shops are hiring waitresses, and it is no longer taboo to give more opportunities like this to the youth of Malisheve.

Borebardha Mazreku's story exemplifies a young woman's journey challenging these societal norms. Bardha launched a successful business and created a space where other women could find employment and training. Her impact is evident not just in business but also in changing local perceptions about women's roles, making her, by definition, an exemplary social entrepreneur.

In 2023, while the business in Malisheve flourished, Bardha embraced another prospect and moved to London to start a new venture with the help of her alma mater, the London School of Economics and Political Sciences, where she acquired her Master's degree. It was a tough decision, but with the support of her family, Bardha dove in:

Since I had been following a healthier diet, I decided to introduce "sugar-free cakes." My business partner in London supported the idea, and we named our venture 'Mind the Cake.' The name encourages people to be mindful of their sugar intake and the additives in their cakes while being catchy and memorable. We are among the first to offer a menu of only refined-sugar-free sweets in London.

Bardha used her experience from Malisheve to start a new business in a new country. Challenges that follow every new beginning were similar, and her past knowledge helped the entrepreneur navigate them more successfully. After only a few months of operations, Mind the Cake was accepted into LSE Generate Accelerator Program for 2024 as one of 9 participating startups. Bardha explains how her previous work helped her with this new venture:

Both British and Albanian people are willing to try new products and support rising small businesses. In London, we are replicating the social model of Bardha's Cake by hiring young women who lack access to education, employment, or training. This has garnered additional support because people want to see these young women succeed.

Starting a business at such a young age requires a lot of confidence and resilience. Starting a business in a completely different country, in one of the most hectic and business-oriented cities, requires a particular mindset:

I believe my flexibility and resilience have driven my success. I try not to take things personally, especially in business. The success of Bardha's Cake gave me the excitement and confidence to innovate in the traditional cake market. Another habit that boosts my confidence is constantly seeking help. I always work with a mentor, whether a chef, tech expert, or successful business person. Being in my twenties, I recognize there is a lot to learn, so I leverage the best minds. If something works, great; if not, I pivot and try something else.

Her open mind and desire to learn led her to Swiss EP and our experts. As a part of Women Entrepreneurs Kosovo Bardha got support not only from our experts but also from our team:

Being introduced to Swiss EP was a rare and valuable opportunity for me and my business. The access to the amazing people at Swisscontact is something I cherish every day. It allowed us to connect with international chefs and business experts and tap into a professional network in the capital of Kosovo, which would have been much harder to access from Malisheve. Also, learning from another woman who introduced me to Women Entrepreneurs of Kosovo was one of the best lessons in my business life.

Arta Istrefi, Swiss EP Country Program Officer in Kosovo and Women Entrepreneurs Kosovo facilitator, often talks about Bardha and her journey:

Every woman's journey becomes easier when strong women pave the way. Bardha represents a shift in mentality, empowering women in a society where social stigma against working women remains strong.

As Kosovo continues to evolve, the success of women like Bardha serves as a powerful example of the positive impact that women can have on their communities and on society when they have proper support and are given the opportunity to thrive.