YouTube literally gave me a second life. That’s right. After 35 years working as a dental hygienist in my home state of Florida, I began to think about what was next for me. I knew I had creative talent and enjoyed baking, so I began watching cake decorating videos on YouTube and thought, ‘I can do that!’ At the time, Covid and my ongoing concern for my husband’s health accelerated my decision to retire earlier than planned, so I now had time to focus on something completely fresh and different. Truth be told, after decades of work, I had been looking forward to not having such a rigorous daily work schedule. My time was now my own, and my husband was very helpful and supportive.

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I launched Petite Indulgences and quickly became busy making one-of-a-kind cakes for fellow Floridians, including one for a local celebrity chef who heard about my cake artistry. Then in 2021, my husband and I were on a trip to the Southeast and discovered Pinehurst. It ticked off all the boxes for us, as we were in the market to move to a cooler, more manageable climate.

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It did mean leaving our family in Florida which was heartbreaking. It also meant starting over with my cake business, a challenge since we really knew no one in the Pinehurst area. But I think that the climb is the most impressive part of life because it’s the struggles that define you, for yourself and those who know you. Even if you start late, try and flail for a while, you can still succeed. And be prouder of it because you didn’t quit. At least I try to remind myself of that as I work to spread the word about my business throughout the community.

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Regardless, just don’t become stifled in retirement. Push that energy you used in your career into new territory and a new passion. Now, while cake artistry may sound superfluous on the surface, the magic of cake is the instant happiness and memories it brings people in every scenario. And helping to diminish the space between people is what it’s all about and always will be. Julia Child said it best when she commented, 'After all, a party without cake is just a meeting.'
 

@petite_indulgences

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