We were lucky to catch up with Vimala Vijayakumar recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Vimala thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

The Instagram posts of other bakers showcasing their buttercream florals became a huge source of inspiration for me. As someone who has always loved nature, especially flowers, I was beyond excited to discover that I could actually create those stunning floral designs using buttercream. It felt like combining two of my passion art and baking into something magical.

I started diving into online resources, scouring YouTube tutorials and watching Instagram reels, eager to learn the art of piping beautiful flowers. It was mesmerizing to see how buttercream, something so simple, could be transformed into intricate, life-like floral arrangements. Through trial and error, I gradually began to master the techniques, learning how to create realistic flowers on a cupcake.

Looking back, I realize that attending in-person classes could have sped up my learning process. However, I started this hobby during the pandemic when in-person options were limited. That said, it was the perfect time to dive deep into this craft.

One crucial thing I’ve learned is that patience, dedication and consistent practice are key to mastering the art of buttercream piping, but the results are worth it!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I never imagined I’d one day serve my baked creations to others. For over a decade, I worked as an engineer in a corporate environment. However, during the pandemic, the challenges of working remotely while balancing family life became overwhelming. Eventually, I made the difficult decision to quit my job. Although it felt like the right choice at the time, I was left feeling unaccomplished and in search of a new challenge. That’s when I stumbled upon baking – an activity that had gained immense popularity during the pandemic.

Macarons, in particular, caught my attention. Known for being notoriously difficult to perfect, I couldn’t resist taking them on as my next challenge. As if making macarons wasn’t hard enough, I decided to go a step further and tackle vegan macarons, which presented a whole new level of complexity. With persistence, I kept working on my technique until I finally got them right, and that was the start of my baking journey.

As someone with a creative spirit, I didn’t stop at macarons. One day, while browsing Instagram, I came across beautifully piped buttercream flowers from the bakers around the world. Their intricate designs immediately captivated me. I decided to invest my time in mastering this skill, and before long, I was creating my own buttercream floral cupcakes. This new artistic outlet fueled my passion, and soon I started sharing these creations with clients through my home bakery.

Today, I offer a range of custom baked goods, including floral cupcakes, custom cakes, and of course, macarons.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being a creative person is incredibly rewarding. There’s a unique sense of joy and fulfillment that comes from seeing a beautiful product you’ve made with your own hands. The process itself is therapeutic, especially when piping intricate designs and the feeling of contentment that comes with it is unmatched. Seeing the smiles on clients’ faces when they receive the final product is the greatest reward of all. And when others recognize and appreciate your creative talent, it’s a wonderful affirmation of the effort and passion you pour into your work.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media is one of the most powerful tools for building an audience. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have been instrumental in helping me grow my audience and client base organically. I typically post 1-2 times a week on Instagram, along with reels, which have been especially effective in reaching new people and increasing followers. Engaging with other creators by liking and commenting on their posts has also made my profile more visible to others.

Additionally, joining relevant Facebook groups is a great way to promote your creative products, though it’s important to note that some groups may not allow self-promotion. These strategies have significantly helped me expand my reach and connect with new clients.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sugarsavvy.bakehouse?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sugarsavvybakehouse?mibextid=ZbWKwL