Sydney Sottek

Sydney Sottek – Tennessee
Nomination by Heidi Sottek
Photography by Pixbyrobyn
Issue 58 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

​Nomination: Sydney Sottek entered this world as a "delectable" military child. Through her military experience, she learned self assurance. She started a cupcake business at 10. Her culinary expertise sent her team to the National ProStart Invitational in 2022, winning at the state level and representing Tennessee at Nationals. Sydney excels in school, maintaining a 4.53 GPA. She is finishing her last 2 years of high school at the University level. Sydney dreams of being a dermatologist. She currently manages for a local spa, teaching others about skin care and salt therapy. Sydney's drive has set her up for "sweet" success!

Photography by Pixbyrobyn

What would you most like to talk about?
I would love to talk about the importance of people pursuing their passions and following their dreams. "If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life", wise words spoken by Marc Anthony. I still gain joy from baking and making special treats for special holidays. However, my experience with managing a thriving local day spa has piqued my interest in skin and holistic health care. My passions continue to grow as I learn to love life and all it has to offer.

Tell us first about your bakery experience. What was it like getting your business up and running, and what did you love most about it?
When I first started my home bakery business at 10, I had only made two types of cupcakes. I love tinkering in the kitchen, trying new things. I love a challenge, like macarons. Not only that, but I love being able to give someone joy when tasting my delectable goodies. My mom helped me name my business since she is so creative: Unravel Your Sweet 2th. The next thing I knew I was designing my own business cards and soon handing them out to all of our neighbors, friends, and family.

What was the National ProStart Invitational and what did you and your team do there?
ProStart is an industry-backed culinary arts and management program for high school students. The National ProStart Invitational is a competition that showcases the talent of the top ProStart students as they compete to win in culinary or management events. My team competed on the culinary side, where we were challenged to make a three-course meal (appetizer, entree, and dessert) in under 1 hour with no running water or electricity. It was amazing to see every state’s team, full of inspiring students from around our country. The amount of skill, creativity, and teamwork these teens had was truly incredible.

What was your team like and what was a favorite memory with them?
My team was made up of five incredible women who were new to this particular competition with only the expectation to gain experience. We each had a specific role on the team. One was the team manager. The other two girls worked together to make the appetizer, one focused on the entree, and I was in charge of the dessert…of course. Little did we know at our first competition we would win first place in the state and head to nationals. That was definitely my favorite moment with my team because we were all in shock, crying tears of happiness.

​What did you do to win nationals and what was that like?
My team and I won first place at the state competition in Tennessee. From there we were invited to represent our state at the national level in Washington D.C. Unfortunately, my team did not place first in the national competition. There was so much amazing talent at this culinary event and definitely some strong competitors. However, I was inspired by all the teens my age there. I made lots of new friends from around the country and it was truly an experience of a lifetime that will have an impact on my life forever.

Photography by Pixbyrobyn

How did you find and why did you choose Pixbyrobyn for your photographer?
Robyn McIssac was a volleyball mom who had a daughter on my middle school volleyball team. My mom was pregnant with baby #4 and hired her to take family announcement photos. She later photographed my sisters and I when the youngest was 6 months. My mom swears that those are the best pictures she has ever had done. So, when we were looking for a photographer for my senior pictures there was no doubt that Robyn was our girl! Robyn is amazing, professional, and dedicated because she had all my photos edited to perfection in less than 24 hours!

What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
My experience was wholesome, genuine, and authentic. We started with my favorite hobby, baking of course. I made a cute tower of tiny donuts to incorporate my love of food into my senior pictures. Next, we changed styles to my hippy, grunge aesthetic. Fashion is another one of my passions. I also wanted to include my whole other personality, my 2001 Jeep Wrangler. My absolute favorite part though was when I changed into my cowgirl hat and started dancing in the rain. Robyn made this day absolutely special and it was everything I could have ever dreamed it would be.

​Let's move onto skin care. What got you interested in it?
Like every “short reel obsessed” teen, I have always been fascinated with the show Dr. Pimple Popper and even watching clips of people extracting blackheads from the nose. When I was hired at the local day spa, that was when I started to learn all about the benefits of certain skincare services and products. Clients come to see us to help with their acne, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and other skin concerns they want to address. It is important to know and to understand how to take care of the largest organ of your body which is what got me interested.

What do you wish every teen knew about their skin that they might not know?
I wish every teen knew that acne is not below the beauty standard. It is normal and beautiful to wear your skin the way it is. It also is terrible to cover up your acne with makeup because it just makes it worse. The solution that helps get rid of acne goes beyond the medication a dermatologist will prescribe you. It is intertwined and affected due to diet, hygiene, physical and mental health. The number one solution is diet and what we put in our bodies affects the outside appearance of our skin.

What is, and what has been a favorite aha moment that you've learned about salt therapy?
My favorite a-ha moment was when I realized where salt therapy came from. Its concept originated in Eastern Europe salt mines and caves. Salt therapy essentially treats those stubborn allergies along with mental health and skin disorders, when inhaled or rubbed topically on our skin. During WWII, in Germany, salt mines were great bomb shelters. The people that were taking shelter in salt mines were inhaling salt particles. Their respiratory problems were greatly lessened compared to those of coal miners. This makes grave sense as to why salt therapy treats people with respiratory issues.

What have you learned about your leadership style through management?
I have learned that my leadership style is transformational. This means I like to inspire my team and encourage them to achieve their goals. I place high value on relationships with my team members in order to be able to know how to work well with each other. I take action in times of confusion to make sure everything runs smoothly in the business during my shift. I love taking on the leadership role and it just comes so naturally with the person I am.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be?
I could talk forever about women's health and skincare desires. Many people, especially women, feel this constant need to drink from the "Fountain of Youth." To be youthful should be determined by the inside, not the outside. Age tells an intriguing history of the life someone has lived. I believe in a holistic approach to skincare regimens through salt and sweat therapy, meditation, and nutrition. I have been fortunate enough to study such services through my new job and school. I do believe that a woman that feels good does good for the world.

Photography by Pixbyrobyn

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What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I played volleyball for my school and club for 5 years, and at particular times, I would supply my team with delicious homemade treats. When I was in high school, my freshman coach immediately offered me a job in her family bakery. There I played a vital role in crafting (never before sold) macarons, cake pops, and other confectionaries and perfecting my cake decorating. Unfortunately, in order to work there, I had to give up my home business. I held that first job for under 3 years before they closed their business.

Tell us more about volleyball life. Why did you start playing and what was your skillset?
I had never played volleyball before and wanted to try something new. In the 6th grade, I decided to try out for volleyball and made the team. From there I played for 5 years as the libero/setter positions. These particular positions require leadership, communication and confidence on the court. I always dove after the ball and strived to play my best. Volleyball taught me to be a leader and never give up.

What is a favorite accomplishment from the sport?
My favorite accomplishment was whenever I was able to receive a ball from the opposing team’s hitter. The adrenaline rush would kick in when you had a 30mph ball rush towards your face. Especially when I could take that hit and give a perfect pass to the setter, that would always make any game for me, win or lose. However, I do love to win!

How do you maintain such a high GPA at the college level while still having so many other things going on in your life?
Balancing a school, work, and social life is very much a challenge. I push myself to be the best that I can be. My real-world experiences and responsibilities have set me up for success in the future. I would not be able to maintain the schedule that I have without the blessed community that surrounds me with love and support as I strive to pursue my dreams. Being able to manage my time in the way that I have will definitely be a skill I will need to have for the path of medicine.

Look for Sydney in issue 58 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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