EP 67: Don Donneruno: You're Never too Young to Live Your Passion

Oprah, Harrison Ford, Jimi Hendrix, and Jeff Bezos. These are examples of people who found success later in life by doing what they love. At the age of 42 Don Donneruno left his well-paying corporate position to become a Cake Designer and by the age of 45 he finally got noticed. I’m excited for you to hear his amazing story.

Don Donneruno is a custom cake designer, but some have been known to call him a conceptual engineer. His Cakes have a look and attitude all their own. Don draws upon an eclectic sphere of influence such as Salvador Dali, Muhammed Ali, Evel Knievel, Jack Kirby, Anthony Bourdain, Peter Criss, Nas, Pablo Picasso, Todd Mcfarlane, and an endless list of others. The primary creative force in his work is his experiences growing up in New York City. Taking the 7 train from Flushing Queens to Manhattan as a teenager was a crash course in pop culture, and he absorbed it all. His exposure to and participation in the graffiti movement of the early 80s laid the groundwork for the foundation of what would become his style. 

         He now brings that energy and attitude to his cake designing and fabricating. To him, every cake is like a great song. Some are "Back in Black" and some are "Purple Rain", depending on the mood that is trying to be achieved.

 

Favorite Quote:

“I really want to enjoy my time here as much as possible and create,  I really feel a connection creating right now.”

-Don Donneruno

  

 What You’ll Learn:

●      Don wasn’t 25 years old, he was 42 and his hustle became a race

●      The work never shows in 6 months- it takes years

●      Why your is time is your equity

●      Showing gratitude to your social audience

●      The difference between falsehood and reality

●      Pay attention to the opportunity someone gives you

●      Anyone can make it with enough perseverance

●      There's no such thing as “luck” only hard work

 

Connect with Don:

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