We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sasha Gustafson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sasha, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience is rooted in a collection of experiences and values that have profoundly shaped my journey. When I left my job at a bakery to make my own path in cake decorating, it wasn’t a sign of defeat, but a bold and daring move to test my creative limits and pursue my dreams. Motherhood too has marked a defining moment in my life – one where resilience has taken on a whole new meaning. It means paving the way for a future where my children won’t ever have to face the struggles I once had to overcome.
My father’s “never give up” attitude has been a guiding light for me. He believes in finding solutions, even if they’re difficult to achieve. His unwavering perseverance fuels my determination to confront obstacles head-on. My mother, on the other hand, is driven, ambitious, and a hard worker. Together with my siblings, they form an unbreakable support system that I can always count on. And then there’s my rock-solid husband, who anchors me in reality. Amidst my enthusiasm and impulsivity, he keeps me in check without ever questioning the choices I make. Through his steady support, he reminds me to strive for balance in all that I do.
As someone who loves to travel, I’ve learned to adapt to different environments and cultures, and this has helped me cultivate a positive outlook and a can-do attitude that I carry with me everywhere. I’m a firm believer in the power of optimism. My positive outlook and the ability to manifest what I desire has helped me overcome the toughest of challenges. After four years of trying to build out a bakery, the decision to eventually pull the plug on it wasn’t about fear, but a realization that my goals and values had shifted for the betterment of myself and my family. And when self-doubt would start to creep in, I make sure to practice self-care through regular exercise, meditation, and plenty of sleep (whenever my kids let me!).
My father’s “never give up” attitude has been a guiding light for me. He believes in finding solutions, even if they’re difficult to achieve. His unwavering perseverance fuels my determination to confront obstacles head-on. My mother, on the other hand, is driven, ambitious, and a hard worker. Together with my siblings, they form an unbreakable support system that I can always count on. And then there’s my rock-solid husband, who anchors me in reality. Amidst my enthusiasm and impulsivity, he keeps me in check without ever questioning the choices I make. Through his steady support, he reminds me to strive for balance in all that I do.
As someone who loves to travel, I’ve learned to adapt to different environments and cultures, and this has helped me cultivate a positive outlook and a can-do attitude that I carry with me everywhere. I’m a firm believer in the power of optimism. My positive outlook and the ability to manifest what I desire has helped me overcome the toughest of challenges. After four years of trying to build out a bakery, the decision to eventually pull the plug on it wasn’t about fear, but a realization that my goals and values had shifted for the betterment of myself and my family. And when self-doubt would start to creep in, I make sure to practice self-care through regular exercise, meditation, and plenty of sleep (whenever my kids let me!).
Self-care is also very important to me. Regular exercise, long walks, weight lifting, and yoga, along with meditation for grounding, contribute to my overall well-being. These practices, coupled with trying to get a good amount of sleep (trying is a keyword, I have two kids!), help manage my anxiety, something I’ve been trying to cope with for years now.
At my core, my resilience is a lifestyle shaped by my personal values, my unwavering conviction, my adaptability, and a supportive network that keeps me going through thick and thin.
At my core, my resilience is a lifestyle shaped by my personal values, my unwavering conviction, my adaptability, and a supportive network that keeps me going through thick and thin.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m a cake artist, joined by my partner-in-crime (and sister!) on this wild and delicious journey. Our passion lies in crafting a wide array of cakes – whether they’re for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or any special occasion you can think of! What sets us apart is our focus on high-end designs, collaborating closely with event planners to bring to life larger-scale, highly decorative cakes. We’re not quite there yet, but we’re inching closer and closer to our ultimate goal!
What excites me the most about what I do is the constant challenge of pushing creative boundaries and learning new skills and techniques in edible mediums. It’s the highest honor when someone entrusts me with the task of baking their special cake. I thrive on the creative freedom given by guests, finding joy in bringing together rough textures with soft ones, embracing asymmetrical balance, and creating designs that flow organically. My unique artistic perspective sets me apart from my peers, adding that extra something special to the end result.
We’ve got a special surprise in store for everyone later this year – an exciting launch that features fun and innovative flavor combinations, all carefully curated for tastings or maybe you just have a sweet tooth and need cake!.We’re beyond thrilled and simply can’t wait to share these mouthwatering creations with all of you!
What excites me the most about what I do is the constant challenge of pushing creative boundaries and learning new skills and techniques in edible mediums. It’s the highest honor when someone entrusts me with the task of baking their special cake. I thrive on the creative freedom given by guests, finding joy in bringing together rough textures with soft ones, embracing asymmetrical balance, and creating designs that flow organically. My unique artistic perspective sets me apart from my peers, adding that extra something special to the end result.
We’ve got a special surprise in store for everyone later this year – an exciting launch that features fun and innovative flavor combinations, all carefully curated for tastings or maybe you just have a sweet tooth and need cake!.We’re beyond thrilled and simply can’t wait to share these mouthwatering creations with all of you!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
When I think about how I got to where I am today, there are three significant factors that have played a crucial role in getting me to where I am today:
1) Persistence. Finding the ability to persevere through challenges, setbacks, and uncertainties has been the driving force that keeps me moving forward, even when it can seem impossible
2) Selective Decision-Making: Learning how to sift through feedback and ignore negative commentary has been vital. By focusing on my strengths and not taking on projects that don’t align with my expertise, I’ve been able to stay true to my passions and hone in on my skills.
3) Continuous Education: Embracing the chance to learn from failures has molded me into who I am as an artist. Always staying open to education, whether through classes or self-directed learning, is a cornerstone of my growth.
My advice to those starting out? Discover your niche and stick to it! It’s easy to get caught up in everything, but focusing on your unique strengths and specialties will make all the difference. Don’t shy away from constructive criticism; it’s a chance to grow and learn. Lastly, the commitment to learning never ends. Attend classes, workshops, and seek opportunities to enhance your skills. Don’t let impostor syndrome get to you; everyone’s journey is unique, and taking a break from social media to reassess your identity as an artist is totally okay.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
I believe focusing on our strengths allows us to stand out in our niche, because we’re continuously practicing and putting into play our best skill set, allowing us to find our unique voice and artistic identity. However, by investing time and effort into areas we’re not quite as strong in, we can unlock doors to new possibilities and expand our skill set even further. Therefore, I think it’s better to strike a balance between both approaches. This gives us a competitive edge and the flexibility to tackle any obstacle that comes our way, and maybe even discover a newfound passion for a skill we didn’t even know we had!
In the initial stages of my career, I was very good with buttercream designs. It could have easily become my signature style, but I was curious about what else was out there. Venturing out of my comfort zone led me to the world of fondant, where I discovered a whole new passion. Even today, I continue to push boundaries by experimenting with different forms and textures of sugar, and the possibilities are endless. It’s like a never-ending sugar rush that keeps me both professionally enriched and creatively fulfilled!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.buttercakeshoppe.com
- Instagram: @buttercakeshoppe
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/buttercakeshoppe
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/butter-cake-shoppe-los-feliz
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