In this motivational TEDx talk at Hindu College, chef Gauri Varma presents her incredible journey from doubt to establishing a successful business in spite of everything. From overcoming academic failure to setting records as a national swimmer, and from securing an Oxford MBA to starting a successful cake business, her journey is a demonstration of resilience, flexibility, and self-confidence.Learn the valuable lessons she gained — embracing the unconventional route, dealing with rejection, and drawing strength from moments of uncertainty. If you're an entrepreneur-in-the-making, a student trying to figure out career options, or someone pursuing your passion, this talk will have you inspired to bet on yourself and take the journey forward. The story of Confect, a leading bakery ingredient manufacturing brand in India, is a testament to perseverance, passion, and empowerment. Founded by Chef Gauri Varma, Confect was born from her love for baking and her vision to uplift financially struggling women. As a 100% women-owned and operated business, Confect stands as a shining example of exceptional leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. Despite facing significant personal challenges, Gauri demonstrated remarkable resilience and a relentless drive to learn and innovate. She pursued a crash course in food technology, meticulously tested samples, and gathered invaluable feedback from fellow bakers to refine her products. After a year of relentless effort and over 400 trials, Gauri finally developed the perfect recipe—a blend designed to endure India’s diverse weather conditions. This breakthrough marked the beginning of Confect’s inspiring journey to success. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx