Interviewed by The Success Today – A Digital Webzine.
Q1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your business.
I am Sonal Garg, a homemaker and a home baker from Agra. I established myself in 2017 under the name “Sweetretreat by Sonal”. I initially started my career in baking cakes and gradually polished my skills by pursuing national and international masters. My journey from a simple homemaker to a dynamic baker has been undeniably fortunate. Being a part of numerous online and offline competitions, I have been honored with many appreciation awards. I bake various varieties of cakes and offer certified baking classes. “Waffle World” is a new venture which I have just begun with. This venture is all about waffle chips, Stroop-waffles, and other waffle-related items.
Q2. What inspired you to start a career in this field?
I would like to answer this question with a small throwback story. My journey started in November 2017. I was simply a homemaker with a keen interest in baking and decorating cakes. I just baked for my friends and family. One day, a girl from Mathura called me and insisted I teach her fondant work. I was not a professional and lacked confidence. But her constant requests and calls pushed me to teach her. Her positive feedback motivated me to start my career. My family supported me the most. They pushed me to begin with baking and teach professionally. With this, I began accepting orders and also started offering baking classes. This proved to be the best turning point in my life and career, and this is how “Sweetretreat by Sonal” laid its foundation.
Q3. What services or products do you provide, and how are they beneficial to your customers or Clients?
Being a home-baker, I ensure proper hygiene while baking and make sure to maintain and offer the best quality products. Under “Sweetreat by Sonal”, I offer varieties, styles, and flavors of cakes, cakesicles, doughnuts, cheesecakes, muffins, cookies, waffle chips, and bread as well. Apart from these, customized hampers as per the client’s requirements are also available.
The baking classes that I conduct are accessible online as well as offline. I teach across the globe. Till now, I have taught 150+ students and many of them have now become financially independent, beginning with their ventures in the field of baking after being taught by me. My ultimate goal is to have happy clients and students.
Q4. What have you achieved so far?
With the trust of my customers, I have achieved the following:
- Certified Home baker by EBVTR, 2022
- Winner of Fab Apyura 2021 under Most innovative recipe.
- Recently collaborated with RB Sudha, 2021
- Judges Choice Award in Red Cooking competition by TGCA, 2021
- Appreciation Certificate 2020 by ‘ Rozgar Bharti Agra ‘.
- Golden Achievers Award 2020 as an Entrepreneur by the Blaster Group of Company, Agra.
- Listed under India’s ‘Top 50 Home bakers ‘ in 2019 by Homebaker.co.
- Participated in India’s Book of Records- ‘ The Biggest Event of 29 States of India ‘, 2018.
- Was competent in ‘Healthy Cooking Challenge ‘ by The Gourmet Club, Agra.
- Winner at ‘Chocolate Day Contest ‘ held in July 2018 by Bakerville Pt. Ltd.
- Top 2nd ‘World Super Gorgeous Cake ‘ in April 2018 by Amazing Cake Ideas.
Q5. What drives your passion and motivates you to work tirelessly?
My passion, perfection, and love for baking, as well as my constant desire to make people happy, keep me motivated.
Q6. What is your one piece of advice for achieving success in life?
Stay consistent, love what you do, explore and be keen to learn new things. Believe that your efforts matter. View failure as a learning experience. Believe in yourself without fearing competition. Always consider advice and suggestions. The day you learn to ace all these things will be the day you become successful.
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