HR People Support has partnered with The Vanilla Pod Bakery to support its growth and key hires, ensuring that HR processes and documentation provide clarity and confidence. From employment contracts to onboarding, HRPS has been there every step of the way, offering peace of mind and a solid HR foundation that lets owner Pia Cato focus on her passion—creating beautiful, bespoke cakes that bring joy to her clients.
The Vanilla Pod Bakery is a small, owner managed business, based in regency Cheltenham, who make bespoke wedding cakes, celebration cakes, iced biscuits, cupcakes and postal cake tasting boxes. The Bakery was founded, by local talented baker and cake maker, Pia Cato, and the business was born out of a passion for creating delicious cakes that put a smile on people’s faces. Pia Cato, Owner, said:
“I’ve loved baking for as long as I can remember. I have fond memories of making yummy scones and helping my father bake jam tarts on lazy Sunday afternoons. I decided to set the business up after I won the University of Gloucestershire’s first ever business planning competition. Initially, my idea was to open a cupcake tearoom, but I soon discovered that my heart lay with creating bespoke cakes for extra special occasions. And The Vanilla Pod Bakery was born.”
The business flourished, with demand keeping Pia busy, so a natural step was to take on staff. Being the owner and so passionate about her craft, any hire was going to be a critical step for the business. Finding the right individual was important for the arrangement to work and they had to share Pia’s vision for the business, have exceptional attention to detail and there had to be great chemistry, but it was a daunting step. Pia had received a newsletter from her accountant with HR People Support’s details and got in touch. Since then, HRPS have been working alongside Pia, and have helped with the recruitment of a baker and an administration assistant to support the bakery’s growth.
“I’ve found it so beneficial to have HR People Support help my business. HR scares me and it is so wonderful to have amazing Helen and the wider team support us through each hire and creating contracts. It is more than peace of mind, it is the thought that someone has our backs and is working for both sides, me as the employer and my employees.”
HRPS have worked with Pia to set out employment contracts, facilitated the seeking of medical clearance and implemented an employee handbook and policies for the business, ensuring formal outline of expectations and processes were in place. This has meant greater clarity for everyone, with structured information helping the new starters to find their feet and start adding value to the business. HRPS have also supported the on boarding of the new starters, to reduce the impact of lost time getting the staff up to speed. Pia knows that HRPS are on-hand for any ad hoc advice, as and when required. Pia, concluded:
“I would 100% recommend HR People Support. The business and staff are friendly but professional. I have built up a great relationship with partner Sarah and my account manager Helen. I honestly would be lost without them. I would say their key strengths are how knowledgeable they are with the industry and legislation and their friendliness. I would be lost without their support!”