Meet Elaine Li-Reyes

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elaine Li-Reyes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Elaine , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Developing confidence and self-esteem came over time. I started teaching private glassblowing lessons at Franklin Park Conservatory, which naturally led to conversations with students about my journey. Sharing how I got into glassblowing made me reflect on the major milestones in my life-things I didn’t think were impressive until I saw how others reacted.

Hearing their amazement helped me recognize my own growth and accomplishments, both personally and professionally. Over time, I realized that everything I’ve been through has shaped me into a confident teacher, and I no longer feel like an imposter. I know I belong in the space I’m in.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Sweet & Shiny is a bakery that transforms your sweetest dreams into edible art. I’m an artist at heart, and cake is my medium.

After working on a few different media productions, I discovered a real passion for creating in challenging, fast-paced environments. That experience pushed me creatively and showed me just how far I can take cake design. Now, I’m focusing more on sculpted cakes-cakes that really break the mold and spark imagination.

The biggest challenge is simply spreading the word: that yes, it is possible to make almost anything out of cake. Once people see what’s possible, their ideas-and my designs-really take off.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Do what excites you. Whether it’s the challenge, helping others, or making money-when you find a path that blends all the things that drive you, that’s where the real fulfillment comes from.

2. Be on time. Showing up early isn’t just about punctuality-its a sign of respect and professionalism. It gives you a moment to prepare and shows others that their time matters to you.

3. Stay adaptable. Especially in creative work, being open to change and thinking on your feet can lead to the most surprising and rewarding results.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

Our ideal client is someone who wants their cake to be the centerpiece of their event-something bold, unforgettable, and completely unique. We create show-stopping edible art that naturally becomes a conversation starter, and that speaks for itself through its detail and imagination.

What makes the process truly successful is having creative freedom and a flexible budget. That’s when we can push boundaries and bring their sweetest, wildest visions to life.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Soph Fulk Photo, Vicci Photo,

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