Business

Life takes a sweet turn for baker

Sonia Esteves was inspired to change career paths from working in finance to something a little sweeter while undergoing chemotherapy treatments. And in May she opened her own bakery.

“During chemo you get a recap on your life and you try to figure out what’s your meaning to life,” Esteves said about her road to recovery from breast cancer in a conversation at Sugary Swirls, the storefront at Bathurst Street and Dupont. “I’ve always had
the passion of opening my own little shop since I was a little girl.”

Although it took several years to launch a brick-and-mortar bakeshop, she began taking cake decorating classes at George Brown College and started baking from home. After a final year in the financial industry, she opened Sugary Swirls.

“It actually fulfills me a lot, being able to meet new people, seeing what their thoughts are, what their inspiration is, learning about their families and friends,” she said. “I wanted to create an intimate, cozy place where somebody could come in and it’s basically home to them.”

In addition to her specialty, cupcakes in flavours like Ferrero Rocher and cotton candy, and custom cakes — including 3D cakes, birthdays, celebrations and wedding cakes — Esteves offers classic cakes,pastries, breads and coffee.