I still remember the days when I’d bake beautiful cakes, put them in the window, and just… wait. Waiting for someone to walk in. Waiting for a phone order. Waiting for the weekend crowd that never really came.
Then I discovered Ciao. Honestly, it was like someone turned on the lights in my bakery.
We started small – just using Ciao to create simple, fun content for Instagram and TikTok. Nothing fancy. A 15-second reel of me frosting a rainbow layer cake. Another of my staff packing a gooey chocolate lava cake. Ciao’s tools made it so easy to add discounts and loyalty vouchers right into the videos – I didn’t need a tech degree or a marketing team.
And the magic happened.
We released our first “Neighbour’s Special” coupon through an IG Reel. Within two days, I had mums, students, and even the uncle from the coffee shop next door walking in with their phones out, asking for the discount. They saw the reel, tapped the link, and showed up at my counter. It was surreal.
Ciao helped me set up returning-customer discount codes too – regulars get 10% off their third purchase. People love that. They come back, bring a friend, and suddenly my Saturday afternoons are packed. My takings? They tripled. Yes, tripled. In less than three months.
What surprised me most is how the word spread beyond my street. Customers who live across town now see my birthday cake designs on TikTok, order directly through our IG shop (powered by Ciao, of course), and have them delivered by courier. Last week I sent a unicorn-themed cake to a little girl living 20 km away. She sent me a photo of her blowing out the candles. I nearly cried.
Ciao didn’t just give me orders – it gave me a community. My neighbours stop me at the market to say they saw my latest video. My regulars ask when the next discount drops. I feel like my little cake shop finally has a voice. A loud, sweet, delicious voice.
If you’re a small food business owner feeling invisible, try Ciao. Seriously. You don’t need a big budget. You just need a real story and the right tool to share it.
Thank you, Ciao. My cakes are flying out the door, and my heart is full. 🍰✨
