By Rinelda Mouton
Entrepreneur, baker, baking trainer, and founder of Bernah Sweet Treats under Vision Rise Academy Bernadethe Shihwameni, also known as Bernah. believes that your background does not have to determine your future. Through her story she is urging others especially women who have experienced setbacks, to know that they can still dream, learn, rebuild and become successful.
In this weeks Confident women Bernah is sharing her personal story to achieving her dreams to inspire and empower others.
Q: Tell us more about yourself?
A: I grew up in Kavango East in a disadvantaged community. Growing up was not always easy, and there were many challenges that shaped the person I am today. I experienced setbacks in my education and became a mother at a young age. Those experiences could have defined my life negatively, but instead they became part of the reason why I wanted to work hard and create opportunities for myself and others. My journey has taught me that where you come from does not have to determine where you are going.
Q: Growing up, did you picture yourself living the life you are living now?
A: Honestly, no. When I was growing up, I did not imagine myself doing what I am doing today. Today, I am grateful for how far I have come because my life has taken a direction I never expected. It has not been a perfect journey, but every experience has
contributed to who I am today.

Q: How did you get into this occupation?

A: My journey into baking started from my interest. I started learning and improving my baking skills through practice, experimentation and experience. Over time, people started ordering from me, and I realised that baking could become more than just something I enjoyed doing. It could become a source of income and a way of creating opportunities for other people. Eventually, I started training others because I realised that the knowledge I had gained could help someone else start their own journey.
Q: How did your interest in this career start?
A: My interest developed gradually through baking and learning new techniques. The more I practised, the more interested I became. Eventually I started thinking beyond simply baking for myself or customers. I started thinking about how I could turn the skill into a business and teach other people. That is how my passion for both baking and training developed.
Q: More women are occupying important roles. What is your view on this?
A: I think it is beautiful to see more women taking up leadership and entrepreneurial roles. Women have always had the ability to lead, create and make an impact. What we need is more opportunities, support, education and environments where women can believe in themselves and develop their abiities. I also believe that when one woman succeeds, she should not feel that she has to succeed alone. We should create opportunities for other women to rise with us.
Q: What does doing this job mean to you?
A: This job is much more than making cakes. Baking has given me a voice, an income, confidence and an opportunity to meet and inspire different people. Every time I train someone and see them realise that they can also build something for themselves. It gives me a sense of purpose. I want my work to show people that skills can change lives.
Q: How has doing this job helped to better your life?
A: Entrepreneurship has taught me independence and responsibility. It has helped me develop skills in business, communication, marketing, financial management and dealing with customers. It has also helped me become more confident. There were times when I doubted myself, but every challenge forced me to learn something new. Most importantly, my business has allowed me to see myself as someone capable of creating opportunities rather than only waiting for opportunities.
Q: Tell us about your life at home?
A: At home, I am a mother and a family-oriented person. I have responsibilities outside of my business, and balancing family and entrepreneurship is not always easy. There are days when I have to switch between being a mother, businesswoman, baker, trainer and simply being myself. It has taught me the importance of time management and appreciating the people who support me.
Q: How do you like to spend your free time?
A: When I have free time, I enjoy resting, spending time with my family and thinking about new ideas. I also enjoy learning new things, especially things that can improve my business and help me grow personally. Sometimes, as an entrepreneur, even your free time becomes a time for thinking about the next idea.
Q: What type of person would you describe yourself as?
A: I would describe myself as determined, ambitious, caring and resilient. I am someone who may fall, but I always try to get back up. I also care deeply about people, especially young women and women who may feel that their circumstances have limited their future. I believe in growth, and I am always trying to become a better version of myself.
Q: What is the best advice you have received thus far?
A: One of the most important lessons I have learned is that you should not allow your current circumstances to convince you that you have no future. Sometimes life does not happen according to the plan you had in your mind. That does not mean your story is over. I have learned to keep moving, even when progress is slow.
Q: What advice do you have for other women?
A: Believe in yourself, even when other people do not see your vision yet. Learn a skill. Invest in yourself. Do not be afraid to start small. You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. And most importantly, do not let your past become a permanent definition of who you are. Your past can be part of your story without being the end of your story.
Q: Getting where you are today has not been easy. How did you do it?
A: I kept going. There were moments when things did not work out, moments when I had to start again and moments when I questioned myself. But I reminded myself why I started. I also learned to use the challenges I experienced as motivation rather than allowing them to stop me. My journey is still continuing. I am not where I ultimately want to be yet, but I am proud of how far I have come.
