Hidden Gems: Meet Shreya Kalthia of Sweet Impact Macarons

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shreya Kalthia.

Hi Shreya, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was younger, I wasn’t the baker or the cook of my family. In fact, I mostly stayed out of the kitchen. But watching my family in the kitchen sparked my curiosity and encouraged me to try it myself. Once I started, I never stopped. I got inspired to start this small business when I realized how many families in my community could benefit from more support. I realized I could take my passion for baking into something meaningful for my community. Through my macaron business, I donate 25% of my profits to non-profit organization that helps support families in need.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, especially in the beginning. When I first started this business, I underestimated how different baking on a larger scale would be compared to baking just for my family. I was used to just baking one batch at a time, so the results were more predictable. Once I started taking orders and baking in larger quantities, I ran into struggles I didn’t expect. Since I function out of my home, my oven has given me plenty of issues. Adding more trays at once created uneven baking on the macarons, which I refused to sell. These problems forced me to learn how to adjust quickly when something fails unexpectedly. Even though those experiences were frustrating, they helped me grow as a person. I had to become more adaptable and had to understand that mistakes happen. Those struggles taught me that running a business is not just about having a passion, it’s also about being willing to learn and adjust when things don’t turn out perfectly.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Sweet Impact Macarons is a small macaron business that I run from my home. Since I am a high school student, I currently sell my French macarons during holidays and school breaks, when I’m able to dedicate more time to baking and filling orders. Macarons are famously known for being a hard pastry to perfect, so I commit myself and practice having patience with each batch. What Sweet Impact Macarons is known for is how I donate 25% of profits back to nonprofit organizations in my community. Giving back is the foundation of my business and baking macarons is how I am able to support this foundation. Sweet Impact Macarons allows me to use my passion for baking to make a difference. Each order supports not only my small business, but also others who are in need. I love making creative new flavors of macarons whether they are for a special occasion, a holiday, or just for others to enjoy. Overall, I want people to know that Sweet Impact Macarons is more than a baking business, it’s about how I’m using my passion for baking to create an impact in my community.

What’s next?
In the future, I’m hoping to continue to grow Sweet Impact Macarons while also balancing school. Right now, I sell mostly during holidays and school breaks, but one of my goals is to become more consistent and expand my business. I’m also excited to keep creating new flavors and improving my efficiency so I can take more orders. Overall, I’m looking forward to seeing how far I can take this business and continuing to use my passion for baking to help make a difference.

Pricing:

• $15 for a box of 6 macarons

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetimpactmacarons/

Image Credits
Megkimages