The Journey I Never Expected
by Natalia · 9 September 2026 · 5 min read
Creating Zefir wasn’t something I planned. It began during difficult chapters of my life, and it changed my life in ways I never expected
The Moment Everything Changed
I was sitting alone in my room, completely shattered.
It had been four days since my mum had suffered a massive brain haemorrhage and was in a medically induced coma. Every day, I went to the hospital not knowing if she would ever wake up again.
I couldn’t think. I just sat there, feeling completely lost.
Without really knowing why, I picked up my phone and started scrolling.
Then I saw them.
Beautiful zefir marshmallow flowers.
I couldn’t believe they were edible. They looked so real, and so beautiful. I kept scrolling from one photo to the next, completely captivated.
For the first time in days, my mind became quiet.
For just a few moments, instead of thinking about hospitals, doctors and fear, I was simply looking at something beautiful.
I had no idea that this moment would change the direction of my life.
A different life
Before discovering zefir, I worked in fitness industry as a personal trainer, gymnastics coach and professional dancer. My world was all about fitness. Creating desserts had never even crossed my mind.
For years, my job had been motivating other people to become stronger versions of themselves.
But after everything that happened to my mum, I realised I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t motivate other people because I couldn’t even help myself. I just needed some time to rebuild myself
My First Zefir Flowers
I couldn’t stop thinking about those beautiful flowers.
Eventually, I enrolled in my first zefir course.
At that point, I wasn’t thinking about starting a business. I simply wanted something relaxing that would help me switch off.
The truth is, I had almost no baking experience.
It had never really interested me. I didn’t even keep sugar in the house. If I wanted something sweet, I simply bought it.
At first, I learnt to pipe zefir flowers by hand.
Later, I discovered silicone moulds and fell in love with how realistic the flowers looked.
From that moment, I became fascinated. I started experimenting with different fruits, different moulds and different designs. Every day I wanted to try something new and see what I could create next.
Creating zefir flowers became much more than learning a new skill.
It became my therapy.
It gave me purpose during a time when I desperately needed one.
My first flowers were far from perfect, but I kept making them. Looking at them now makes me smile because they remind me where it all began.
Enjoying the Process
The more I made zefir, the more ideas I had. I wanted to try different fruits, different moulds and different designs.
I also wanted to learn how to photograph them better because they never looked as beautiful in photos as they did in real life. So I started taking photography courses.
Later, I became interested in creating videos. I enjoyed learning that too and slowly found my own style.
One day, I started thinking that maybe this could become my business.
The idea of creating something beautiful every day, being my own boss and choosing my own working hours really appealed to me
New Chapter. Sweet Moments
Looking back, I never imagined that one day zefir would become such a big part of my life…
My mum survived her brain haemorrhage, but she was left paralysed. We still take life one day at a time and celebrate every small step forward.
For the last five years, we lived in the UK but recently our family moved to Montenegro, and a new chapter has begun. It means starting again in many ways — a new country, a new routine, and rebuilding Sweet Moments here with all the challenges that come with it.
What happened with my mum reminded me again how quickly life can change and how precious time is.
I once read a book that asked you to imagine what people might say about you when you’re no longer here. That idea stayed with me.
It made me think about what really matters.
I’d just like to be remembered with warmth, as someone kind who made life a little sweeter for the people around me…
— Natalia
Me and my mom before and after
