We recently had the chance to connect with Tanya Sciarra and have shared our conversation below.
Tanya, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My alarm is set for 530am and the second I open my eyes, I give thanks for being given yet another day on this beautiful earth. I pray for prosperity in all that we love to do for myself, my family and my friends as well as optimal health of mind, body and soul.
I try to get to the gym for 615am but am often distracted by responding to texts, messages and emails. This morning I made a promise to myself not to look at my phone and actually made it there for 615am! After a workout, the steam room is the perfect way to end my time at the gym.
It is pretty much the only period of time during the day that I dedicate strictly to myself and have made it a daily habit.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Tanya Sciarra, owner of Dolce Shortbread, a home based gourmet shortbread cookie business located just north of Toronto in Bolton, Ontario, Canada, We have created 60 different types of shortbread, bake everything fresh to order and have been baking since 1993! To leave the corporate world in 2022 to pursue the love of baking was by far the best decision ever made. We ship across Canada and the US and our cookies have been to more countries than we have via clients carry on luggage!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
In grade 6 we were given the task of participating in a public speaking contest and the best speech from each class would go on to performing in front of the entire school. To this day I can recall the dress I wore, certain lines from my speech entitled “Kids Have Right Too”, the way I positioned my hands while reciting certain sentences and the way I felt winning first place while being cheered on when the medal was placed around my neck.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
To become the best version of yourself, you must turn your struggle around and view it as a learning experience and overcome it. Find that strength deep inside yourself to keep going even when you are failing. Suffering hardens you at times but eventually with a great deal of inner work, it pushes you to strive for success and makes you unstoppable.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Growing up in an Italian family surrounded by my mom, sister, maternal grandparents, aunt and uncle, we gathered every Sunday at my grandparents home to share a meal reiterating the importance of family above all else. Raising my children with that same value, we have always been there for each other through each others victories as well as struggles. Even though we are now scattered with many miles between us, when my family members need me, I have been and always will be there for them above all else.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
Long after the last Dolce Shortbread cookie goes out to the final client, I hope that all of the incredible connections and friendships that were made along the way remain intact. There is one thing that I have always been good at and that is keeping ties with those that matter to me through a random text hello, a phone call checking in to see if all is well or a birthday/holiday greeting to let them know they are being thought of and remembered. To be kind is free and to be valued is absolutely priceless.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dolceshortbread.com
- Instagram: Dolce Shortbread
- Linkedin: Tanya Sciarra
- Facebook: Dolce Shortbread
- Other: Google Business Page Listing: Dolce Shortbread
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
