Women's Day 2025 Special Series : Baking Dreams Into Reality With Sugar, Spice And Everything Nice

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Baking is more than just a culinary skill-it's an art, a science, and for many, a heartfelt passion. Some discover it by chance, while others grow up surrounded by the warmth of freshly baked treats. For Rajna Sharath, baking has been a cherished part of her life, shaping her journey in unexpected ways.

In the lead up to Women's Day, we are celebrating the journeys of women across different walks of life. Rajna's story is one of passion, perseverance, and carving her own path through the art of baking.

Even though she studied physiotherapy, she found herself drawn back to the warmth of an oven, the scent of freshly baked treats, and the sheer joy of sharing them with others. Boldsky had the opportunity to hear her story and how her venture, Sugar Plum Fairies, became a tribute to the women who shaped her love for baking.

A Childhood Imprinted With The Love For Baking

Rajna's earliest memories of baking are woven into the laughter and warmth of her family kitchen. She recalls, "I always had a passion for baking since I was a small kid. I had seen my mother bake the most yummiest tea cakes ever. Not just her, even my grandmother used to bake cakes but it was more elaborate where she used to measure each and everything. She used to involve me too. And when you are a small child, it stays as an imprint in your mind. Even my aunt was into baking the most exquisite chocolate cakes where the taste stayed with me overtime."

Despite pursuing physiotherapy, baking remained her happy place. The sheer joy of watching people relish her creations is what keeps her passion alive. She shares, "The most happiest moment is when someone eats my bakes and says it's wow."

The Story Behind Sugar Plum Fairies

The name of her venture, Sugar Plum Fairies, carries a whimsical charm. When asked about its origin, Rajna admits with a chuckle that she doesn't recall exactly what sparked it, but says, "Though I don't clearly remember why I chose this name, it must be an inspiration from the animation books that talked about pies and cakes and all that. And to think about it, it must also be an inspiration I got from a popular song by Boney M. - 'Brown Girl in the Ring' where there is a line that goes - "She looks like a sugar in a plum."

A Moment Of Pride

Every baker has moments of validation, but for Rajna, one stands out vividly. "When I had a sale happening in my son's school and I had these brownies for sale, a little girl took money from her parents and bought these brownies from me. Then after some time, she came back again towards me saying that it's the best brownies she has ever eaten. And again, after 10-15 minutes, she came back again to tell me this. To get this unadulterated, pure review from a very young girl, that was really heartwarming."

The Women Who Shaped Her Journey

Rajna's baking journey wouldn't be complete without mentioning the strong women in her life. She reflects on the values they instilled in her. "My mom, who manages things calmly not just in cooking and baking but in all things, she gets into accountability. Baking is not just about measuring ingredients, there is also something about discipline, being calm in tense situations, learning to persevere despite failures." Her aunt, too, played a role in shaping her baking philosophy. "Taste, discipline, and baking for the fun of it, that's what I learned from my aunt."

A Typical Day In Her Life

Balancing a home, a child, and a growing baking business is no easy feat, but Rajna has learned to navigate it in her own way. "I wake up, get my son ready for school, pack his snack box, finish off with my regular household chores, then I get to my orders. If there are some that need creativity, I need space to think of those ideas. It's not that I'm literally baking every day. I need my free time to think creatively, not think about running or cutting back on my expenses; otherwise, my creativity stops. I think I am still learning where I have to balance finance and bring in my creativity."

Keeping Creativity Alive

For Rajna, creativity thrives in a relaxed mind. She shares, "I need space; I can't work every single day. If I want a break, I go out with my friends and enjoy nature as I believe nature is the best source of my inspiration. You can be inspired by the colours around you, even from a flower. During my initial days, I would be worked up thinking, 'What if they like this or not?' and that affected my work with negative energy. So I begin everything with zen and meditation. Now I am confident and I know how to handle things. If I can't, I won't take it up because I can't work in a stressful environment."

The Key To Success For Women Entrepreneurs

Rajna believes that women stepping into entrepreneurship must stay ahead of trends and be open to exploration. She advises, "Creativity is important and being up to date with the new trends as well. You have to go out there and explore what's happening in the world."

Redefining Success

Her definition of success has evolved with time. "I don't know how to measure it, but at the end of the day, I should feel happy. I should feel I have got something worth my time and effort. The satisfaction that people like what you made, not just the financial part. I make celebration cakes, and being part of another person's celebration gives me a bit of joy when they send me pics and say how happy they are. That itself is a big acknowledgement for me."

What Women's Day Means To Her

With Women's Day around the corner, Rajna shares her perspective. "I think Women's Day is just a term. As a woman, it's all about seeking yourself, happiness, and not waiting for others to acknowledge or justify your words, actions, and work. Unless and until your own inner self is happy, you can't expect others to take care of that for you. Be happy for yourself. As a woman, learn to respect yourself before you care for others. How often do you take care of your health, your own life? A lot of women take care of themselves last, which should change."

Looking Ahead

While many set long-term goals, Rajna prefers to take things one step at a time.

"Honestly, I am just living by the day. Today is what matters and I am just going with the flow."

A Message For Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs

For those hesitant to take the leap, Rajna offers a simple but powerful piece of advice.

"If you have a idea or a goal, go ahead and take it. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and work towards it. It doesn't matter whether you succeed or fail. If you don't take the chance, you will never know the outcome. It's perfectly alright if you don't succeed. Go ahead and do it for your own satisfaction. And once your heart is into it, success will follow no matter what."

Rajna Sharath's journey with Sugar Plum Fairies is a beautiful example of passion meeting perseverance. Her story proves that success isn't just about financial rewards, it's about finding joy, passion, and purpose in what you love. As women continue to break barriers and redefine success, her journey serves as an inspiring example of how pursuing one's passion is a powerful act of self-empowerment, one that deserves to be celebrated not just on Women's Day, but every day.