From Corporate Setbacks to Sweet Success: The Journey of Trikho Treats Founder

By Portia Moleme (Free State World)

From Welkom to Bloemfontein, Keamogetse Tsubella's journey is a reminder that unexpected setbacks can sometimes lead to new beginnings.

The founder of Trikho Treats, a Bloemfontein-based bakery, has transformed her passion for baking into an entrepreneurial journey shaped by resilience, motherhood and the determination to pursue something of her own.

Born and raised in Thabong, Welkom, Tsubella completed her matric at Welkom High School before pursuing her studies at the University of the Free State, where she graduated with a double major in Industrial Psychology and Political Science.

After graduating, she entered the corporate world, hoping to establish herself professionally. However, things did not unfold as she had anticipated.

"In 2023, I decided to focus fully on my business," she explains.

Her journey took another turn in 2024 when she discovered she was expecting a baby. With the business not yet generating an income, she and her partner decided that she should temporarily step away from it to prepare for motherhood.

Throughout 2025, Tsubella searched for stable employment. Although she briefly worked as a remote recruiter for a UK-based company and a local business, securing long-term employment remained a challenge.

Amid the uncertainty, she found herself returning to something that had always brought her happiness: baking.

Armed with a mini oven, she began rebuilding her business, this time drawing inspiration from her experiences as a mother.

Having previously made New York-style gourmet cookies in 2023, she wanted to explore something different and create a product that would fit more naturally into everyday life.

Her inspiration came partly from becoming more conscious of her toddler's sugar intake and her own health goals following pregnancy. This led her to rethink traditional cookies and explore smaller portions.

For Tsubella, baking is more than just a business.

"Baking has always been therapy for me, and being in the kitchen is where I'm happiest," she shares.

Her entrepreneurial journey has already seen Trikho Treats supply a local retail store and fulfil custom and reseller orders for other businesses. The business has also expanded beyond the Free State through its online operations.

Despite the challenges of running a business with limited equipment, Tsubella remains optimistic about the future.

Her ambitions extend beyond establishing a successful bakery. She hopes to develop new flavours that contribute to people's wellness while growing the business to a point where she can create employment opportunities for other South Africans.

For now, her journey is one of rebuilding, learning and pursuing an ambition that began with a passion for baking.

Her story highlights the realities of entrepreneurship, particularly for young mothers navigating career uncertainty while pursuing their own business aspirations.

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