We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jancy Luo. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Jancy, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Who are you learning from right now?
Right now, I am learning from two pastry chefs who inspire me in different ways. One is a French pastry chef who emphasizes precision and refinement—his creations are so detailed and delicate that each piece feels like a work of art. The other is a Taiwanese pastry chef who focuses on balance, texture, and innovation—showing me how desserts can be more than just sweet, but layered with depth and creativity.
Through their guidance, I continue to learn every day in online courses. My goal is to bring together the elegance of French craftsmanship and the creativity of Taiwanese desserts, creating cakes and pastries that are both beautiful and full of character.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
From a very young age, I realized that I was highly sensitive to flavors and loved creating desserts for my family whenever I had the chance. Baking was always my way of expressing joy. However, after becoming a parent, I put this passion aside because my life became very busy—especially as my child is on the autism spectrum and requires a great deal of time, care, and attention. For a long period, I felt emotionally drained and found it hard to stay motivated.
What changed me was seeing how children with autism often excel in focusing deeply and repeating tasks—something that beautifully mirrors the process of making cakes, layer by layer. That realization gave me a sense of purpose: to use my passion for baking as a way to raise awareness about autism and to encourage other parents who may be struggling. Children with autism are not “less than”—they are simply different, with unique strengths that, when nurtured, can allow them to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.
Today, we are still a small online bakery, but our vision is much bigger. We want to grow into a platform that not only creates desserts but also shares knowledge, offers support, and provides opportunities for the autism community. In the future, we hope to employ individuals with autism, helping them discover their talents and build confidence. Our mission is not just about cakes—it’s about creating a space where awareness, acceptance, and empowerment can grow together.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that truly reshaped how I see the world was when I discovered that my child is on the autism spectrum. At first, I felt overwhelmed and often found myself emotionally drained, as our family’s rhythm was completely transformed. But over time, I began to notice his unique strengths—especially his ability to focus deeply and repeat tasks with incredible patience. That gift of focus reminded me of baking, where every step requires precision, repetition, and care.
This realization changed the way I define “different.” I came to understand that there isn’t just one standard of what is “normal” or “successful.” Every person has their own pace and their own strengths to offer. That experience not only reshaped how I view the world but also gave me the mission to turn my passion for baking into a platform for raising awareness about autism—so that more people can understand, accept, and celebrate these differences.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been countless times when I felt like giving up, because the journey of improving in baking is extremely challenging. Creating delicate desserts requires immense patience, focus, and precision—one small mistake in the process often means starting all over again. Many times, I have spent hours working, only to realize a single error forced me to redo the entire cake.
On top of that, baking is physically demanding—the long hours, the intense concentration, and the heat from the oven can be exhausting. Every finished cake is the result of sweat and perseverance. Striving for perfection often felt overwhelming, and there were many moments when I questioned whether I should continue.
But what kept me going was my genuine love for creating desserts. Every time I succeed in making a cake that truly satisfies me, the joy and sense of accomplishment outweigh all the difficulties. That passion reminds me why I started, and it continues to push me forward.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
The belief I will hold onto, no matter how long it takes, is using my desserts as a way to raise awareness and acceptance of autism. This is not just a personal passion—it is a mission I carry as the parent of a child on the autism spectrum. Through my cakes, I want to show people that children with autism are not “less than,” but simply “different,” with their own unique talents and strengths.
Even if it takes years to build, I am determined to create a platform that goes beyond selling desserts. My vision is to share knowledge, provide support, and eventually create opportunities for young people with autism to discover their skills and build confidence. This is a dream I am willing to devote my life to.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
If one day I leave this world, I don’t really want people to constantly remember who I was or what I did. To me, the true meaning of life is not in being remembered, but in what you have contributed and what you have changed—no matter how small the impact might be.
I hope to spend the rest of my life focusing on one mission: helping more people understand what autism truly is, and encouraging parents to seek early support when they discover their child may be on the spectrum, so they don’t miss the golden window for intervention. If my efforts can give even a few children a better future, then even if no one remembers my name, my life will still have meaning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.speciallayers.com
- Instagram: speciallayers
- Facebook: Special Layers
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