Meet Inga Kaplan | Owner of raw vegan cake studio Rawberry Desserts””

We had the good fortune of connecting with Inga Kaplan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Inga, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
What was your thought process behind starting your own business?

I started making healthy cakes, particularly – raw vegan, quite accidentally, when I realized that I am not able to find such treats anywhere around me. It was sometime September 2020, and Covid had taken over our lives – everyone was more or less tied staying at home, plus I also had a brand new baby. Not that I had lots of free time on my hands while caring for a newborn, but my family always loved something sweet and now being able to find something healthy became even more important. It turned out to be quite impossible with the whole economy just taking a break. However to be able to adjust the diet and find quality food while nursing the baby, and find treats that will not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also nourish yours and your baby’s body, is especially important for every new mother.
Furthermore, I must admit, that ever since moving to America, I was never able to enjoy traditional desserts here, as they always seemed too sweet and too processed. So I started making my own, and testing these raw vegan cakes on my family and neighbors, and it wasn’t too long until the business idea of making healthy desserts was born. It started with the name – Rawberry Desserts, and my family’s favorite cake on the menu – Chocolate Salted Caramel. And today we still are the only business specializing in raw vegan cakes on the island of Oahu!

Social impact: how does your business help the community or the world?

I think nowadays with the climate change spiraling out of control, being able to minimize the environmental impact by consuming more plant-based foods is of an utmost importance! And that is one of the reasons why I make these cakes – they consist solely from plants.
Here I always think about my children, what world I want to leave for them and how I can contribute to make it if not a bit better, then at least – not much worse. And I feel that with making these raw vegan cakes I am doing something what helps a tiny bit. I make these cakes only from nuts, coconut, cacao and fruits, there is absolutely nothing else! I am introducing these cakes to my community, getting people to try them and to show, that a delicious cake can be also healthy and nutritious, and good for everyone!

Risk taking: how do you think about risks, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?

I can’t imagine my life without risks! I wouldn’t be where I am today if I was afraid of trying something new or taking on a challenge. I never wanted a nice and smooth ride-along; I think a little adrenaline is healthy and even necessary – it keeps us going, keeps us in check, and we always come out stronger (if not smarter (laughing)). I have travelled around the world, lived in 3 different countries, had 5 different professions by now, done skydiving and bungee jumping, and of course – learned new skills along the way. Starting a single woman-ran business on Oahu, Hawaii – a place I now call a home, has definitely been one of my biggest adventures, but so worth it! Perhaps sometimes is good not to entirely know what you’re getting yourself into – then the fear doesn’t stop you from doing it, and you become to learn that everything is possible!

Parent – what do you think is the most important thing you’ve done as a parent in terms of the impact on your children?
For me it is very important to teach my children their connection with nature, being aware of the environment, how our actions, small or big, affect the world we live in, and also – the importance of healthy and ethically raised food. It’s even more so important nowadays when we see so much pollution and waste, and climate changes caused by our “modern” lifestyle and habits. It is very noticeable while living in Hawaii where tourism is such a big part of our economy, and the impact it leaves on our very fragile ecosystem. It is of utmost importance that we teach our children to respect the nature, to help to keep it clean, to reduce waste, to eat more plants, and to minimize the footprint we leave on our world. I am nervous about the place we are leaving for our children to live in, and it is our duty to teach them the awareness!

What is the most important factor behind your success/success of the brand?

I think it’s a sum of things – there is still a huge gap in the market when it comes to healthy and plant based desserts. It is such a slow movement into long-term healthier lifestyle, that it takes dedication and courage to offer such product, and for customers – to change consumption habits by trying something new. Usually people who start these plant based businesses do it because of the passion, more as a hobby. They are small businesses and I believe the whole plant based industry stands on these wonderful humans!
My product is very specific, and it has a narrow niche – it is not a mainstream product. However it is usually just a matter of getting people to try these cakes, for they understand and taste the difference, and fall in love with it! In a nutshell – the uniqueness and quality of my product, with not many such healthy choices available in community are the main factors behind the success of my business.

How to know whether to keep going or to give up?

The easiest thing to do is – to give up! And I probably wanted to give up a couple hundred times as well (laughing). However I teach my children to never give up, so – I need to lead with an example. Running a business is definitely not an easy ride, and perhaps not what I expected, but for sure I can say it has given me more strength, endurance, skills and knowledge I would have otherwise never had.
Moments where we doubt ourselves are healthy, as it makes us to check in with our vision and goals, why we started it, where we currently stand and where we want to take it. I think every business owner, especially small business, have this talk to themselves at least couple times per year. I still cherish every cake I make, and as a small business owner, I am more personally connected with my customers, and thus every cake becomes even more special. So for me it’s more about passion, love and believing in the product, knowing that this is the way I can make this world a bit of a better place – one cake at a time.

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?

I can never get this thing right (laughing)! If you’re a small business owner, it is very difficult to separate the time for business and home. Also – social media makes it so easy for people to text you with inquiries or place an order any time of the day, and expect you to be immediately available. So I had to draw some limits for myself – when I will be available for business, and when I will have my family time. I want to have a quality time with my children, and it is a great feeling to be able to adjust the schedule and business on my terms. I know how it is to work very long hours for a corporate company, and not being able to see your little children, and I am grateful that I was able to change it and to have a work and life balance I actually enjoy!

What makes you happy? Why?

It will not be an innovative answer – my children make me happy! When I can give them everything they need, I am happy. Conscious eating – healthy and nutritious food – makes me happy, travelling and having a quality me-time makes me happy, exercising my body and long distance walking in nature makes me happy. The more I am able to do any of these things, makes me a better person and a parent for my children, and being able to teach the value of these things, also makes me happy. Every day I can eat more plants and exercise my body, is a good day! For me the happiness starts just there.

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?

I don’t think that being an artist is a matter of a choice. I think you can choose to be a dentist, a financial consultant or real estate agent, but you are being born as an artist. And it will come out sooner or later, you can’t hide it. The question is – how are you going to realize it?
I was born as a singer and was singing opera professionally for 9 years, and loved every moment of it! However I was young and wanted to travel the world and see where the life takes me. I still yearn to sing and it will be always a huge part of me, however with my travels I have experienced so much more, and I would never change any of it. The artist in me showed itself again when I started making cakes. I didn’t know that I could do something like that, as I never had any interest or knowledge about making cakes! But my mom was a baker, a great one, and perhaps this influence from my mom turned out to be stronger that I expected. I enjoy the creating process, especially the finishing decorative touches! I love how every cake turns out unique and personal.

How do you define success?

Success for me is being happy in a moment. Being able to do what you like, having a happy and healthy family, and being able to provide a comfortable life. I owe so much to my family – my husband and my little girls, they are such a huge part of my success and where I currently stand. They are my utmost happiness and purpose, everything else is nice to have. My family is my success.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hawaii is incredibly versatile, depending on what you like to do, however it’s impossible not to go to the beach – my favorite spot on the island on Oahu is Lanikai Beach, as it’s incredibly beautiful! I also live to explore Kaena State park – it has some great hiking trails along the ocean, and you can relax at wild beaches. There are outstanding hiking options throughout the island; if you are feeling up for a short but quite challenging hike to get your cardio up, don’t miss Koko Head Trail – the views from the top are worth the effort! Don’t leave without exploring the local food scene at Kakaako Farmer’s Market in town on Saturdays, also stop at Kailua and Haleiwa towns for great vegan options!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to dedicate my shoutout to my husband and two daughters. They are the reason behind everything I am doing!

Website: www.rawberrydesserts.com

Instagram: @rawberrydesserts

Linkedin: Inga Kaplan

Facebook: rawberrydesserts

Image Credits
Profile photo – April Amelia Photography Cake photos – Rawberry Desserts