it all started when ashima became the lead barista at a neighbourhood starbucks at just 16 years old. throughout high school, there was always a running joke among those around her: “ashima’s going to work here forever” — a reflection of just how dedicated she was to the café environment and the sense of comfort it brought her during the chaos of growing up.

she would sometimes even skip school just to pick up shifts, finding a sense of stability behind the espresso bar that she struggled to find elsewhere at the time.

what’s funny is that she would constantly tell her manager, adam — who remains a close friend to this day — that one day she hoped to open a café of her own. at the time, it felt like a distant dream. looking back now, she realizes she was quietly speaking her future into existence long before made by akb was ever created.

after high school, ashima believed she had found her lifelong calling: becoming a paramedic. the decision came from a deeply rooted desire to make a meaningful impact and help save lives — something shaped in part by her own experiences with depression and the challenges she faced growing up.

driven to stay focused, disciplined, and constantly moving forward, she immersed herself in a variety of roles at a young age. by just 17, she was already working as an emergency dispatcher, later earning her emergency medical responder certification while also volunteering in the emergency department of a local hospital. during the same period, she pursued a diploma in dental assisting while patiently waiting for acceptance into an emt program.

for a long time, healthcare felt like the future she was meant for. but as life unfolded and her perspective evolved, it became clear that the path toward becoming a paramedic was no longer aligned with the life she envisioned for herself.

sometimes, the plans we hold onto the tightest quietly lead us somewhere entirely unexpected.

traveling, connecting with people from around the world, and immersing herself in new food and cultures had always been a lifelong aspiration for ashima. when she finally visited paris and amsterdam — two destinations long sitting on her bucket list — it was the charm of cozy cafés, slow coffee culture, and beautifully indulgent desserts that sparked a new level of inspiration and quietly began shaping what made by akb represents today.

growing up, she was endlessly fascinated by the artistry behind pastries, often researching russian and european pastry chefs whose precision, creativity, and attention to detail transformed desserts into true works of art. that curiosity slowly evolved into a desire to explore the industry for herself.

however, as a south asian woman already pushing against societal expectations — especially by stepping away from the traditional university path — pursuing a creative career didn’t always feel realistic. for a long time, the idea felt out of reach.

it wasn’t until years later, after experiencing a major shift in perspective, that she revisited the dream. she realized that real fulfillment could only come from building a life on her own terms — not one shaped by fear, pressure, or the expectations of others.

while balancing both college and university, ashima quietly began building the creative concept behind made by akb in october of 2019. at just 20 years old, she found herself stepping into a world that felt unfamiliar — surrounded by few people pursuing entrepreneurship and even fewer who truly understood the vision she carried.

the idea of bringing made by akb to life came with uncertainty. she knew there would be criticism, doubt, and moments of feeling unsupported. but despite all of that, she chose to take the risk anyway.

on january 29th, 2020, ashima made the very first post for made by akb — unknowingly marking the beginning of what would soon grow into something far bigger than herself.

n the summer of 2021, ashima made the difficult decision to step away from university — a choice that differed greatly from the more traditional expectations often seen within south asian households.

it was not a decision made lightly. her parents had always envisioned an academic path for her, so naturally, there was hesitation and uncertainty surrounding the idea of pursuing something unconventional. while they were initially weary of the decision, their support continued to grow as made by akb slowly began taking flight.

in many ways, this moment became one of the defining turning points of her story.

what set ashima apart was her willingness to challenge traditional norms and pursue a life that felt authentic to her, even when the path ahead felt unclear. she hoped that by choosing differently, she could inspire future generations to understand that success is not always linear — and that sometimes the most fulfilling paths are the ones you create for yourself.

in january of 2022, while finalizing the floor plans and creative direction for akb, ashima decided to embark on a solo trip to new york city after the second wave of covid postponed her long-awaited plans to study pastry in paris, france.

during her time there, she connected with french-trained professionals chef simon hefrey and chef roger sitrin, creating a personalized program tailored toward refining her skills, techniques, and creative approach to pastry.

this experience became a pivotal chapter in her journey — blending both education and personal growth — and much of the knowledge, artistry, and inspiration she gained during that trip continues to shape the foundation of made by akb’s desserts today.

after countless challenges along the way, ashima received the phone call that changed everything just one week before september 1st, 2022 — confirmation that she had officially overcome the final obstacles and was finally cleared to open her doors.

so, she got to work.

with the support of close friends and family, that autumn she opened the doors to her very first brick-and-mortar bakeshop in the heart of savanna — marking not only the beginning of a new month, but the beginning of an entirely new chapter.

while this journey looked very different from what she once imagined for herself growing up, somewhere along the way ashima discovered a version of "happyness" that came from building a life aligned with her passions, creativity, and purpose.

today, she hopes her story can inspire young individuals — especially within the south asian community — to pursue the things that truly fulfill them. because life moves quickly, and sometimes the most meaningful paths are the ones least expected.