my
career
journey
ruth pearce | indiana university
My Career Journey
Welcome to my career journey, a collection of roles and experiences that have shaped my growth as a leader and professional.
Throughout my journey, I’ve embraced challenges, cultivated adaptability, and developed a passion for empowering others. Whether managing events, mentoring teams, or navigating the day-to-day demands of dynamic environments, I’ve grown through every experience. Here, you’ll find stories of my professional evolution, showcasing how dedication, teamwork, and a commitment to growth have defined my path.
As I continue to grow, I’m excited to apply my education and experience toward advancing in the nonprofit sector, where I can make a meaningful impact. My ultimate goal is to inspire and empower others, cultivate space where individuals and organizations can reach their full potential.
The journey is just beginning, and I’m excited to explore new opportunities while sharing my aspirations for the future with you.
Sugar Rush Cakery
The Masche sextuplest of WeTV's "Raising Sextuplets" enjoying their custom Sugar Rush Cakery birthday cakes.
Career day with my daughter's 4th grade class.
Entrepreneurship
A fun part of my career journey was running Sugar Rush Cakery, my artisan cake business. I made cakes for all kinds of occasions, but weddings were my specialty. Living in a wedding destination meant there were Saturdays when I’d bake, decorate, and deliver up to four wedding cakes in one day. Navigating a tourist-packed town with a wedding cake in the back? That’s a stress test I’ll never forget!
As much as I loved weddings, kids’ birthday cakes were my favorite. Seeing their faces light up when they saw their cake was the best reward. One of my most interesting experiences was making cakes for the third birthdays of the sextuplets from a reality TV show. That project even landed my cakes in People Magazine, definitely a surreal moment!
I also had fun connecting with the local community through events like Turtle Fest and concerts at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. One of my most memorable experiences was visiting my kids’ school for career day. I brought worksheets to teach them about measurements and planning cakes to serve specific numbers of people. They got to stack Styrofoam “cakes” into layered masterpieces, and everyone received a cupcake they could decorate themselves.
I even partnered with a local pizzeria to sell cupcakes, which was a hit! My kids loved having over-the-top birthday cakes, and my nieces and nephews didn’t complain about their share of the fun either.
As the business grew, I had to decide whether to expand or scale back. With my kids still little, I chose to slow down and focus on family. Now, I only dust off my tools for special occasions, like making cakes for family weddings. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll get back into it full-time.