You’d think after 25 years in finance, Ashish Shrestha would know everything about business. But helping his wife Kyoko grow Petite Sakura—a Boston bakery blending French and Japanese flavors—taught him something surprising:
Marketing is a whole different beast.
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Here’s what he learned trading spreadsheets for sprinkles.
🍪 1. Great Products Don’t Sell Themselves
Kyoko’s cookies and cakes? Absolute masterpieces. But Ashish quickly realized even amazing desserts need a push.
“We assumed people would find us because the product was so good. WRONG. You have to show up where they are—Instagram, Google, farmers’ markets—everywhere.”
Petite Sakura’s Instagram isn’t just pretty photos—it’s how customers connect with the brand.
✨ Behind-the-scenes baking clips
✨ Stories about Kyoko’s inspiration
✨ Customer shoutouts
“People want to buy from humans, not faceless brands. The more personal, the better.”
📈 3. SEO Is the Unsung Hero
Ashish had never thought about Google rankings—until he realized most customers found them through search.
“We learned how much difference a good website and SEO can make. It’s basically free marketing if you do it right.”
💡 Ashish’s Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
✅ Start with your story—it’s your superpower.
✅ Build your audience before you need them.
✅ Don’t wait for perfect content—post consistently.
“In big corporate, marketing felt distant. Here, I see instantly how a post or a good review brings people in. It’s addictive.”