We had the good fortune of connecting with Irosha Waas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Irosha, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In June 2010, when my daughter Mihindee was born, I decided to give up my career in IT to stay home and care for her. It was the most amazing experience I could have ever dreamed of. On Mihindee’s first birthday, I ordered a cake for the celebration — but unfortunately, it turned out to be a flop. So, for her second birthday, I decided to bake her birthday cake. It was the first cake I had ever baked and frosted, and to my surprise, my friends and family were truly impressed!

Soon, I began receiving frequent requests to make cakes for other children’s birthdays, which inspired me to start my own home-based baking business. Since then, SweetNRush has created hundreds of cakes for various occasions. I’m deeply grateful to my daughter, Mihindee, for helping me discover my true passion for baking.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Before discovering my passion for baking, I built a career in IT with a BSc in Computer Science and a Master’s in Computer Systems. When my daughter Mihindee was born, I stepped away from my job to be a full-time mom — a choice that unexpectedly led me to a new calling.

It all began with Mihindee’s second birthday cake — my first-ever homemade creation. What started as a simple act of love quickly blossomed into a passion, and soon, Sweet N Rush was born. Today, it’s a home-based bakery specializing in customized cakes, cupcakes, and cookies, all freshly baked from scratch and designed to match any theme or occasion.

Transitioning from IT to baking wasn’t easy, but the problem-solving skills and attention to detail from my tech background became key to my success. At Sweet N Rush, every bake tells a story — made with heart, creativity, and care. My journey proves it’s never too late to follow your passion and create something truly sweet.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting Rancho Santa Margarita for a week, I’d want to give them a true taste of what makes this city so special — a mix of great food, natural beauty, and relaxing lake views.

We’d start our mornings with a peaceful walk around Rancho Santa Margarita Lake, enjoying coffee by the water, the perfect spot to soak up the view. For lunch or dinner, I’d take them to Carmelita’s Kitchen, one of my absolute favorites, where the food is always delicious and the lakeside atmosphere feels like a little escape.

We’d spend a day exploring O’Neill Regional Park, especially the Story Walk Trail, which is a beautiful, family-friendly way to enjoy nature. Midweek, we’d take a scenic drive down to Laguna Beach to explore the art galleries, coastal shops, and, of course, watch the sunset over the ocean.

Between the warm community feel, amazing food, and beautiful scenery, Rancho Santa Margarita truly offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure — and I’d love to share every bit of it with a friend.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to dedicate my shoutout to my daughter, Mihindee. She was the reason Sweet n Rush came to life. What started as a simple birthday cake for her second birthday turned into a lifelong passion for baking and creating beautiful, customized cakes. Her joy, curiosity, and love continue to inspire every creation that comes out of my kitchen.

I would also like to thank my family, friends, and amazing customers who believed in me from the very start. Their encouragement, support, and trust helped Sweet n Rush grow from a small home project into something truly special. Every cake I make carries a little piece of that love and gratitude. 💕

Website: https://www.sweetnrush.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iroshawaas/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SweetNRush/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sweet-n-rush-rancho-santa-margarita-2?osq=sweet+n+rush

Other: https://share.google/aXJFxjbAHV2LYwtIN

Image Credits
Thilanjan Vithana

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