Danielle Tan, SIM-UB alumna, Co-Founder, Owner and Head Baker, Butter Town

 

We arrive at Butter Town and introduce ourselves but are told politely to wait for a moment. For Danielle Tan, Butter Town’s co-founder, owner and head baker, her customers come first.

“Thanks for waiting,” Danielle says handing over to one of her team. “Our customers make an effort to come down, so we try not to disappoint them.”

Inspired in More Ways than One at SIM

Discussing the origins of Butter Town, Danielle shared that despite briefly dipping a toe into corporate waters, she always felt a latent pull to chart her own course. This was apparent even during her time as an SIM-University at Buffalo (UB) undergraduate.

“Even back then I wanted to do something on my own,” she recalled. “But I thought let’s take things one step at a time. Then, I saw an entrepreneurship module and thought, ‘OK, let’s take it’.”

Obviously, the module made an impression on Danielle. “The module was very fun, and it impacted me quite a bit. It really made me want to be an entrepreneur, to have my own business.”

Inspiration is wonderful when it drives us to imagine, pushing us towards fulfilling personal ambitions. But value sometimes manifests in different, less recognisable ways – its significance only apparent retrospectively.

“At UB, our studies were more holistic, we had modules like world history and nutrition,” remembers Danielle. “I thought they were irrelevant to my degree, and I questioned the need to study them.”

“But when I went out into the working world, I found it was good to have that general knowledge. It’s beneficial, like when we do collaborations, or meet other business owners, you find common ground. You can connect with people on more than just baking and business because of this knowledge and soft skills.”

While the entrepreneurship module was the most inspiring and relevant, Danielle also points to nutrition as an elective that is particularly applicable today. For her, the ancillary benefits of her SIM education also lie in the intangibles – critical thinking and problem solving.
 

Problem Solver, Talent Incubator

At this point, Danielle and Butter Town have already progressed and expanded. Currently, in addition to their original Holland Drive Food Centre stall, the new CT Hub location also serves as a central kitchen. And Danielle’s mindset has grown in tandem with the needs of her business.

“I see myself as a businesswoman rather than just a baker,” Danielle says with pride. “Being an entrepreneur, every day you are solving problems. The central kitchen is the first time I’m managing a team, so I’m still learning how to be a leader.”

“For my team, I want it to be more than just having a job, it should also be about fulfilment. I remember what it was like to work for other people. So, I tell my team I’m happy to teach them, which makes them happy to be here. It’s a win-win.”

It is a testament to the openness Danielle enjoys with her team. Some have even shared their own aspirations of starting their own bakeries - ambitions which she fully supports.

“If one of my team tells me they want to start their own bakery, I’m totally supportive,” admits Danielle. “Because you shouldn't be working on someone else’s dream, you should go and work your own dream.”
 

 

Already Planning to Give Back in Other Ways

Our admiration for Danielle and Butter Town goes beyond the success they have experienced in quick succession. When asked about plans beyond the business and if she had any advice to inspire students with entrepreneurial dreams, Danielle shared some true words of wisdom.

“I would advise them to always be a self-motivator as an entrepreneur. There will always be difficulties and challenges every day, but you have to stay strong and firmly believe in yourself. Giving up is easy, so it should never be an option. But of course, take breaks when needed because life is a marathon.”

Danielle also shared her hopes to be able to give back and ‘pay it forward’ as Butter Town approaches the next level financial and operational stability.

“I hope to work with youth and children’s charities,” Danielle revealed. “Because I want to encourage people to always believe in themselves and always follow their dreams.”