In this episode, we sit down with Tracey Rashid, founder of Essence of Cake, to explore the highs and lows of leaving corporate life behind and building a business from scratch.

Tracey shares her journey from a successful career in learning and development to becoming a cake artist and entrepreneur, balancing family life with business growth. She opens up about the freedom and creativity entrepreneurship brings, the challenges of working alone, and the power of saying “yes” to opportunities — including an unexpected moment that landed her on live TV representing the UK.

We also discuss her passion for inspiring the next generation by showing young people the diverse career pathways hospitality can offer beyond the traditional roles they might imagine.

It’s an honest, uplifting, and motivating conversation for anyone considering stepping out of their comfort zone to build something of their own.

Takeaways:

• Tracey Rashid shares her entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the leap from employee to business owner and the challenges that come with it.
• In this episode, we explore the balance between personal life and running a business, especially as a parent.
• Tracey emphasizes the importance of creativity in her cake business, blending artistic skills with culinary expertise to create stunning desserts.
• The conversation dives into the pros and cons of entrepreneurship, including the freedom to make decisions and the isolation of working alone.
• Tracey recounts her incredible experience competing in the European Gelato Cup, showcasing her skills on an international stage.
• The episode wraps up with a call to action for aspiring entrepreneurs, encouraging them to embrace their passions and take the leap into business.

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More information on Tracey and Essence of Cake can be found at:

Tracey Rashid (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracey-rashid-1574242?originalSubdomain=uk)

Essence of Cake UK (https://www.essenceofcake.com/)

The Compass Cake (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvOlLFaxXUU)

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Timothy Put The Kettel on is Co-hosted by:

Timothy R. Andrews (https://www.timothyrandrews.com/)

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Editing & Visuals by: Timothy R Andrews

Theme Tune: "Mandarin & Chocolate" by Doriane Woo (https://dorianewoo.bandcamp.com/)

Feat voiceover artist, Lara Rathod (https://www.instagram.com/laralondonspeaks)

Sound Effects by: Epidemic Sound