An aspiring dentist with a booming cake business is not a pairing you come across often. For Mina Qarizada, it is simply what happens when creativity and ambition share a kitchen.
A psychology major with a biology minor at San Francisco State University, Qarizada, a member of the National Online Chapter, is slated to graduate in spring 2027. Outside of class, she runs Mimi's Custom Creations, the Bay Area custom cake business she has grown from one-off orders into the wedding and event space.
What started as a creative outlet has become a growing brand, one that has drawn high-profile clients, expanded her network, and sharpened the leadership skills she plans to carry into a very different field and wherever life takes her next.
Creating a Recipe for Success
Some of Qarizada's proudest moments have come from clients she never expected to reach.
"I was personally selected by DJ Habibeats' manager to create a cake for him, which was especially exciting because he is one of my favorite DJs," she says.
Habibeats, a Bay Area DJ known for blending Arabic and Middle Eastern sounds with global club music, is one of several notable names on her client list, alongside influencers who have featured her work. Each project has pushed her brand a little further.
"These experiences have been major milestones for my business and have helped me grow my confidence, clientele, and professional network," she says.
None of it runs on talent alone. Qarizada points to a specific toolkit behind the business.
"Achieving this goal required creativity, attention to detail, time management, communication, and adaptability," she says.
Those skills carry her from the first client conversation to the final delivery.
"I used my baking and decorating skills to create professional, personalized designs while managing deadlines and maintaining quality," she says. "I also communicated closely with clients to understand their vision and used social media and networking to showcase my work, build connections, and create new opportunities for my business."
The Best Lessons Start at Home
Long before she was booking wedding clients and well-known DJs, Qarizada was watching how leadership works up close.
"A leader I look up to is my mother because of her strength, resilience, and compassion," she says.
Her mother's influence shaped more than her work ethic. It shaped her instincts for how to treat people.
"She has taught me the importance of working hard, remaining patient through challenges, and supporting the people around me," she says.
That example became a template she still follows.
"Her example has shaped how I approach leadership by reminding me to lead with empathy, responsibility, and determination," she says.
Ask Qarizada what leadership means, and the answer sounds a lot like the lessons she absorbed at home.
"To me, leadership means inspiring and supporting others while working together toward a shared goal," she says. "It is not simply having a title or giving directions; it is leading by example, listening to different perspectives, and helping others recognize their strengths."
For her, the measure of a leader is the environment they build.
"A true leader takes responsibility, remains dependable during challenges, and creates an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and motivated to succeed."
Turning a Goal Into Cake Orders
For Qarizada, the NSLS helped turn ambition into a plan, and the part that stuck with her most was built around accountability.
"The most valuable step toward Induction for me was participating in the SNT meetings," she says, referring to the Success Networking Teams that meet in small groups throughout the program.
Those bi-weekly check-ins gave her structure and a built-in support system.
"They helped me stay accountable, break down my goals into clear steps, and stay motivated by hearing others' progress and perspectives," she says. "It's not a task to check the box. It's a chance to… get real support from your peers and turn your goals into action. The more honest and committed you are the more growth you'll see."
The meetings also gave her a place to commit to a concrete target. Her SMART goal was to book at least two custom orders a month for three months, powered by consistent Instagram marketing. Then she went to work on it.
"To complete my goal, I consistently posted photos and reels of my cakes and desserts on Instagram, used engaging captions and relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience, and responded promptly to messages and inquiries," she says. "I also promoted seasonal specials and participated in vendor events to increase visibility and attract new customers."
The lessons learned through the NSLS reached beyond the business itself.
"Its leadership resources and lessons have encouraged me to reflect on my strengths, learn from challenges, and become more confident in my ability to guide and support others. It has also reinforced that effective leadership requires continuous growth and a willingness to listen and learn."
The program also connected her with ideas from top leaders in their field. As a psychology major, she found a natural favorite among the NSLS Speaker Broadcast guests: social psychologist Emily Balcetis, whose research centers on motivation and goal pursuit.
"Emily Balcetis is my favorite speaker because she offered practical, science-backed strategies that helped me rethink how I approach my goals," she says. "Her message about narrowing your visual focus to stay motivated really stood out to me."
For someone running a business while carrying a full course load, the lesson landed at the right time.
"It felt super relevant as I juggle school, work, and running a business," she says. "She made complex psychology feel really relatable and gave tools you could actually apply in your daily life."
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Balancing Sweet Treats and Healthy Smiles
Qarizada's plans refuse to pick just one lane, and the two she has chosen make for a memorable pairing: cakes now, healthy smiles later.
"My long-term goals are to continue my education and pursue a career in dentistry, where I can positively impact people's health and confidence," she says.
The cake business is not a detour from that path. She sees it as part of the same ambition.
"I also hope to expand my custom cake business, grow within the wedding and event industry, and build it into a successful and recognizable brand," she says.
Rather than choosing between the two, she wants a career wide enough to hold both.
"Ultimately, I want to create a future that allows me to combine my passion for healthcare with my creativity and entrepreneurship," she says.
Her near-term steps are all in pursuit of this larger vision.
"My next goals are to complete my bachelor's degree, continue pursuing my education in the dental field, and further expand my custom cake business within the wedding industry," she says.
Getting there, she knows, comes down to consistency.
"I plan to achieve these goals by staying organized, completing the necessary coursework and applications, and continuing to gain hands-on experience in dentistry," she says. "For my business, I will focus on improving my skills, consistently promoting my work, building professional connections, and providing high quality service to grow my clientele."
Mina's Advice for Future Leaders
Qarizada's own drive has been fueled by the belief others have shown in her.
"When I share my dreams with others, they often remind me that they believe I can accomplish them because of how determined I am," she says. "Their confidence in me motivates me to keep working, overcome setbacks, and do everything I can to reach where I want to be."
And when things get tough, Qarizada wants you to keep going.
"A piece of advice that has inspired me is to never give up on a goal simply because the journey becomes difficult," she says.
When she turns that lesson outward, her guidance for new leaders is to ultimately be open; to learn, to guide, to encourage, and to embrace feedback.
"My advice would be to listen to others, lead by example, and remain open to learning," she says. "A strong leader does not simply give directions; they communicate clearly, support their team, and make everyone feel valued."
For Qarizada, the work of leading isn't about giving or taking orders. It's about being tough yourself, and strong for others.
"It is also important to take accountability, respond to challenges with patience, and lead with both confidence and empathy."
Meet Amaya Gonzales next, a biomedical sciences major building a future in dentistry grounded in service and access.
