Today we’d like to introduce you to Namratha Sudarshan.
Namratha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2005, when I first came to the US, newly married and excited for a new life here, little did I know that being a cake artist would be a career I’d make for myself. I have a Master’s Degree in Finance and like every graduate dreamt of climbing the rungs of the corporate world. But of course, life had different plans for me 😊 Being on a dependent visa back then, I had absolutely no opportunities for work which meant I had plenty of time to spare. That’s when I took to the kitchen. I grew up watching my mom bake and cook, and she even taught people. Though I was never interested to bake, I guess I was subconsciously picking up a lot on the way. The very first recipe I tried was my mom’s Victoria Sponge cake.
With no tools or equipment on hand, it took me only about 8-10 tries to nail the taste, the way mom made it. Feels like yesterday but a very enriching experience 😃 I started a food blog to record my cooking and baking experiments, and thus began my culinary journey. I felt my calling was in baking and I pursued it further by taking a basic Cake decorating class and I never looked back! Baking is very therapeutic for me no matter how stressed I am due to work or emotionally, this is one thing I find great joy in. When a client lets me know how much they enjoyed their cake, I feel content and it makes all my efforts worthwhile. I strive for that satisfaction and treat every cake like it is for family. Over the years I’ve dabbled in cakes for friends and family, making their special occasions sweet. I took a few years off in between when I had my boys. I own a full-time Cottage Business now and I couldn’t be more proud of myself for having come this far. It was a dream since a few years to achieve something significant before I turned 40, and I did! 😃 In 2018, I took part in a cake competition here in Atlanta and I won 2nd place in my category. Every single day is a learning experience, and I’m always open to learn more. I feel blessed to be able to do what I love!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It wasn’t a smooth road to begin with. Being in a new country meant learning the ways of life here, being able to adapt and settle in. Not being able to get a license to work right away, I had to wait a long time before I could actually turn my passion into a business. Whatever the struggles, I took it all in my stride and it has greatly helped in shaping me into who I am today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Sweet ‘n’ Sensational Cakes?
I feel elated to be the proud owner of Sweet ‘n’ Sensational Cakes and to be able call something my own. I specialize in Custom cakes, Cake pops, Custom cupcakes, Cookies and Dessert table treats for all occasions. I bake completely from scratch and all frostings and fillings are also made from scratch, This ensures the cake not only looks good but tastes great!! I also offer tasting boxes on occasion, so if you’d like to try my cakes, that’s a great opportunity to do so.
What matters most to you? Why?
To me, it’s all about the details and I thoroughly enjoy working on the custom details of every cake irrespective of the theme. I spend hours trying to perfect a handmade topper and achieve the right finish. It’s important that the client is happy, it’s not just about the money. A kid recognizing their fav character on the cake or going for a second serving because it tastes so good, now that is what motivates me and keeps me going. It fuels my passion and makes me want to do more cakes!! I love it when clients tell me they had no leftover cake haha! I go to bed with a huge smile on my face.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sweetnsensationalcakes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetnsensationalcakes/
