From lolly cake to rhubarb-filled donuts, SK Bakery makes every single crumb on the premises. "If you buy a panini, we've made the bread. And with our bagels, we've made the hole," says James Cootes, who owns SK Bakery with his wife Annette. They specialise in cake decorating (from Bob the Builder to TV's Good Morning show)and James' recipe for gluten-free afghans is very, very yummy.

Little Otaki is growing up. The town of 7,500 is maturing in retail, Māoritanga, and according to bakery man James Cootes, in its identity. "It's coming into its own, and not just the shops. There's a commercial sector and the wānanga [Māori based university] too."

James and his wife and business partner Annette live on two acres in Manakau, with young Gracie and baby Drew. They own SK Bakery in Otaki - actually two of them - one off the main highway and the other in the Otaki township.

James has recently learnt a key to business success - diversifying. He recently went on a Rotary-supported business exchange programme to Brazil, and one of the highlights was a precious hour with a top Brazilian businesswoman from chain store Magazine Luiza. "She opened up new things for me - different ways of producing income."

Putting his creativity where his newfound inspiration is, SK Bakery holds cake decorating nights, and offers bread-making as a team-building exercise. Forget clambering up a rock face in southerly winds - try pounding, twisting, and baking buns to feel cosy in your workplace.

"They make bread in groups of five, by hand, no machines. We explain how each ingredient has a scientific value and importance to the success of the recipe, and that you need each other to make it work or succeed. They have lots of fun." James likens this co-operative effort to what's needed in a workplace.

One of James' business goals is to get out of the rat race and enter a new ‘grown-up' phase of income - building his passive income to have the freedom to invest time into other opportunities. But he wants to live a balanced life. "There's nothing like coming home and having your daughter come running down the hall and jumping on you, calling ‘Daddy, Daddy!'

"I love Otaki. I've got a heart for the place. The hills are within ten minutes, and the ocean is right on the other side. I love fishing and it's great for that. I'd be happy living anywhere between Waikanae and Manakau."

Part of growing up is getting too big for your gumboots and doing scary things, so James and Annette are looking to franchise SK Bakery (preferably to existing staff first). "We don't want to be really rich. We just want financial freedom. And if we see someone in need then we can help them, without money being an issue."

What a lovely part of growing up.  

Kiss & Bake Up

Bakery - 66 Main Street, Otaki.

Bakery and cafe - 174 Main Highway, Otaki

Ph 06 364 8150      

www.kissandbakeup.co.nz