Sheena Singhania shares her inspiring journey of transforming her childhood passion for baking into a Forbes-recognized career, where she is now ranked among the Top 10 Bakers in India. She begins with a nostalgic reflection on childhood—how time flies when you’re having fun—highlighting that true passion makes work feel effortless and rewarding. Raised in a small town in a family of bakers, she naturally picked up baking skills. However, despite scoring 96% in her board exams, which opened numerous academic opportunities, she felt uninspired. She longed for a career that excited her daily. Her breakthrough moment came when, during her final year of college, she met a woman at the gym who introduced her to the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Encouraged by her brother, she secretly applied behind her parents' backs. This decision changed her life—it was where she mastered the science of baking, learning about the chemistry of ingredients and perfecting her craft. Returning to India, she started seeing the world differently—even spending hours admiring flowers, analyzing their colors, textures, and patterns, and figuring out how to incorporate them into cake designs. Her love for drawing led her to create edible artwork on cakes. While success came, so did struggles. She was so engrossed in her work that she skipped meals, eventually landing in the hospital multiple times. She also faced heavy criticism but learned to treat it as feedback rather than letting it discourage her. Sheena shares key lessons on turning talent into a profitable career: 1. Start Small – Understand the market gaps before launching big. 2. Let Creativity Grow Gradually – Don’t rush execution; build momentum slowly. 3. Be Clear About Your Goals – Have a defined vision for your career path. 4. Prioritize Self-Care – Even on busy days, take time for something you love. 5. Hire the Right People – The right team can make or break your business. 6. Think Outside the Box – Creativity is key to standing out. 7. Never Compromise on Quality – Stick to your values, and customers will come to you. She concludes by encouraging everyone to turn their skills into opportunities and pursue their passion without fear of failure. Sheena Singhania, founder of Project Cake by Sheena, is a renowned cake artist blending art and flavor. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, she’s been featured in Forbes India and Cake Masters. Known for her luxurious 24-carat gold-plated cakes, she redefines creativity in baking. 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