Sometimes, leaving sugar behind is the sweetest decision you’ll ever make
“If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Marc Anthony’s words have echoed in my mind for years. After all, I was only nine when I got my first taste of work, helping my grandmother sell spices, grated coconut, and tofu in her tiny Asian grocery store. That little shop had everything under the sun, and I loved every bit of it. From waiting tables to serving in the military, teaching home economics to high schoolers, and even pole dancing – I embraced each job as it came, letting life pull me along in its unpredictable ways.
At 21, I moved to New Zealand, filled with excitement but also uncertainty. The road ahead wasn’t smooth, but I’ve always been the type to seize any opportunity and make the best of it. I worked my way up in the kitchen, pouring myself into the art of pastry-making. For over a decade, I dedicated my heart and soul to creating delicate pastries that brought joy to others. But as much as I loved the craft, something inside me began to shift.
A career swap in your early 30s can feel terrifying. You question everything: “Am I giving up too much? What if I fail?” But after years of perfecting desserts, I felt the pull of change. Life has a funny way of guiding you when you least expect it.
Falling in love with a business didn’t happen overnight, but once it did, it was an all-consuming passion. I quickly realized that the key to driving total revenue growth and building lasting brand equity is in the content marketing. It wasn’t just about selling a product anymore – it was about telling a story, creating connections, and adding value in ways that resonated deeply with our audience. The power of well-crafted content opened the world of marketing for me, sparking a natural progression from the sugar laden world of pastry making to the strategic depth of business growth. I found myself diving into data, studying consumer behaviours, and shaping campaigns that turned loyal customers into brand advocates. Content wasn’t just marketing – it was the heartbeat of our success. And just like that, my love for business flourished, expanding into realms I never anticipated.
When I finally hung up my apron, I found myself in a new industry that felt like a revelation. I realized that work doesn’t have to be defined by a single passion. When you find your tribe, the people who lift you up and push you to be your best, work becomes more than just a 9 to 5 gig. It becomes a place where you can grow, where you can feel safe, and where you can thrive.
Leaving the pastry world behind wasn’t just a career change; it was a leap of faith. But it was in that leap that I found my footing. I learned that growth doesn’t always look like climbing the same ladder – it sometimes means finding a new one entirely. My new colleagues aren’t just coworkers; they’ve become family. Together, we’ve built something more than just a workplace – we’ve created a community.
Looking back, I see that passion can evolve. What once defined me no longer holds me back. Instead, it’s propelled me into a new chapter of life that’s richer, fuller, and more rewarding than I ever imagined. I’ve learned that it’s okay to change paths, to let go of what no longer serves you, and to embrace what comes next with open arms.
And in that, I’ve found that Marc Anthony was right. If you do what you love – and allow that love to grow and transform – you’ll never work a day in your life.