Shivani Vashisth: From Corporate Boardrooms to Baking Dreams

Rediscovering Passion in the Kitchen

For Shivani Vashisth, life has been about embracing change and daring to start again. Once a successful National Sales Manager, she chose to pause her corporate career to raise her son. What began as joyful afternoons baking for him soon grew into something much bigger—a passion that transformed into her profession. Today, Shivani is a Pastry Chef, Coach, and Consultant with six years of experience, guiding aspiring bakers and building communities around the art of patisserie.

“I’m a former national sales manager turned pastry chef and baking mentor,” she says. “It all began when I baked for my son during his early childhood, and what started as a hobby became my purpose.”

A Journey Shaped by Support and Courage

Shivani’s husband has been her role model and constant support. His discipline and encouragement gave her the strength to pivot careers and follow her newfound passion. The transition was not an easy one—shifting from a structured corporate role to the creative unpredictability of baking required patience, study, and resilience.

She pursued formal education in patisserie, worked at The Imperial, New Delhi, and soon discovered her true calling not just in baking, but in mentoring others. Through her workshops, she has empowered hundreds of learners, many of them women looking to restart or reinvent their careers.

Each milestone shaped her path: the pause for family, the leap into culinary school, the professional stint in luxury hotels, and the eventual decision to focus on teaching. “Every phase has been a turning point,” she reflects, “but together they have built a career that feels purposeful and fulfilling.”

Achievements Rooted in Empowerment

For Shivani, achievements are not only about awards or recognition but about the lives she has touched. “My most significant achievement is transforming my passion into a purposeful career that empowers others—especially women—to become confident, independent home bakers.”

She has mentored hundreds of students through workshops, adapted her teaching to online platforms during the pandemic, and created a reputation for balancing creativity with practical business advice. One of her proudest moments was receiving the Influential Women Leaders Award, recognising not only her skill but also her commitment to enabling others.

Challenges That Defined Her Strength

Like many women balancing family and ambition, Shivani’s journey has not been without obstacles. Restarting her career after a long break came with self-doubt and external pressures. As a naval family wife, relocations and unpredictability were constant companions.

One of the most difficult moments came when she had to let go of her pastry chef position at The Imperial during the pandemic. “It felt like a setback,” she recalls, “but it pushed me to rebuild from home, explore the online teaching space, and discover new ways of staying relevant.”

Those challenges, rather than halting her progress, strengthened her adaptability. She shifted from running a home bakery to becoming a mentor, ensuring her passion continued to grow in new directions.

Guided by Values That Matter

Shivani credits her resilience to the values she has held firm throughout her journey: passion, integrity, resilience, and empowerment.

“I believe in giving my best with honesty, staying committed even in difficult times, continuously learning, and using my skills to uplift others,” she says. For her, success is not measured by financial gain alone, but by the confidence her students carry when they begin their own baking journeys.

The Motivation to Keep Going

What fuels Shivani’s dedication is the transformation she witnesses in her students. Watching hesitant learners turn into confident bakers and entrepreneurs fills her with pride. “Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, and knowing that my journey inspires others keeps me moving forward.”

Her motivation also stems from her own lived experience of restarting from scratch. Each success story she nurtures reminds her that she is not just baking cakes, but shaping possibilities.

Finding Balance in a Demanding Life

Balancing her role as a mother, wife, and professional has been another learning curve. “Maintaining balance comes down to clear priorities and strong planning,” she explains. By setting boundaries for work, involving her family whenever possible, and embracing flexibility, she has built a rhythm that allows both her career and personal life to flourish.

“Some days are about business, others are purely for family,” she says. “The key is to embrace both without guilt.”

Current Initiatives with a Purpose

Shivani is currently working on several initiatives designed to make baking accessible and empowering:

• Long-Term Mentorship: A structured three-month program covering foundational baking skills, from cakes to breads.

• Specialised Workshops: Themed short courses on trending recipes, festive bakes, and advanced techniques.

• Brand Collaborations: Partnering with Indian food brands to co-create recipes and introduce bakers to unique ingredients.

• Baking for Empowerment: A women-focused initiative offering subsidised or free training for underprivileged women to create home-based businesses.

“These are not just projects,” she says, “but steps towards creating a legacy of meaningful service through baking.”

Looking Ahead: A Bigger Vision

Shivani’s aspirations stretch far beyond her kitchen. She envisions launching a dedicated online academy with multilingual courses, making professional baking education accessible across India and beyond. She dreams of building a strong community of certified bakers, particularly women, who will mentor others and sustain a culture of sharing knowledge.

She also plans to publish a baking book, blending recipes with life lessons and entrepreneurial insights, and to collaborate with more brands to promote local ingredients and healthier baking practices.

“Ultimately, I want baking to be recognised not just as a hobby, but as a respected profession—one that brings joy, income, and identity to anyone willing to learn.”

A Message of Inspiration

When asked to share a thought with readers, Shivani’s words reflect the heart of her journey:
“When passion meets purpose, even the smallest spark can light up a life-changing journey.”

To young women, her advice is clear:
“Never underestimate the power of starting small. You don’t need perfect conditions to chase your dreams—just the courage to begin, the consistency to learn, and the belief that you are capable of creating your own path. Your story matters.”

The Legacy She Hopes to Leave

Shivani Vashisth’s story is about courage, adaptability, and the choice to turn personal passion into collective empowerment. From corporate boardrooms to baking studios, she has proven that success is not about staying on one path but about finding meaning in the journey itself.

Her life and work remind us that beginnings don’t need to be perfect—they just need to be made with heart.