JONAH BAKES - A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD WITH A BRILLIANT BAKING BUSINESS

✦ Happy cookies made with love make the world a better place

Jonah Michio Tan is seven and already starting an incredible career as a baker! March is Small Business Month and we wholeheartedly vote Jonah Bakes as our top Brilliant Small Business. How did Malaysia's happy sevenyear-old baker find his passion and tenacity, and what can small business owners learn from his story?

Jonah's Story

Jonah has a rare form of skeletal dysplasia. This is a genetic disorder affecting the bones and joints. It hinders growth and development and causes abnormally-shaped bones. This usually occurs in the head, spine, arms and legs.

He also has Hajdu-Cheney syndrome (HCS) which is another rare genetic connective tissue disease. Around the world, there are only 50 known cases of people who have this disease. It is characterised by acroosteolysis of the hands and feet, developmental defects of the bones, teeth and joints.

Jonah cannot run around and play like other children. The bones are brittle and any fall means a risk of fracture. And that means being in a cast for several weeks. Over and over again.

In spite of all the adversity that these diseases involve, Jonah has a steady, fresh and bright personality and he channels his focus and attention on his one true passion - baking. Jonah wants to have his own bakery in the future, and his family and friends are right behind him supporting his dream.

Jonah's mother started Jonah Bakes as a seed for Jonah's baking aspirations. He was first bitten by the baking bug when he saw his mother cooking in the kitchen. His mother's belief and confidence in what he can do is taking off. They've gone from simply baking for friends and family to delivering their cookies nation-wide in Malaysia.

Inspiration for Small Business Owners

There is much to learn from this small but mighty business story. Jonah focuses on possibilities, not perfection. He's always trying and he finds ways to make something work in spite of obstacles. And he's not afraid to have a little laugh with himself when he has an 'oopsy'!

Finding one's happy place to grow and be creative also requires the support of a circle of joy around you. He has found what drives him (baking) and he has his community to give him a boost (his family, friends and ever-growing customers across the country).

His little brother Jamian loves helping out and Jonah is already showing steady leadership by trusting him to let him help, and also cares for him when there are trickier steps in cooking. Jonah himself has the wisdom to know where his limits are and to ask for help when he needs it.

He truly enjoys what he does, so every thing he does for his baking business is done mindfully and with gratitude. He takes pleasure in every knead, every mix and he always has it clear what his ultimate dream is. Every bake is taking him closer to having his own bakery one day.

Happy Cookies Make the World a Better Place

We are rooting for Jonah, and we can't wait for Jonah Bakes to expand to Australia and worldwide so we can all have a taste of happy cookies made beautifully with love.

My Blue Tea is raising funds to support Jonah and his family. This will go into his expenses for medical treatments in Melbourne, Australia. The funds can expand his family kitchen to a professional culinary space and allow other physicallychallenged bakers to participate. The money raised can help his online platform sell worldwide so Jonah's happy cookies can make the world a better place.