In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, Caroline dives into the six essential pillars every microbakery owner needs to build a thriving, sustainable business. Drawing from her experience in business ownership and running a successful bakery, she explains why so much of the work is about making solid business decisions, not just baking great bread. Caroline shares how these pillars can prevent burnout, help you attract the right customers, and ensure your business fits your ideal lifestyle—without feeling like a constant grind. If you've ever felt stuck or overwhelmed, this episode will guide you toward balance and growth.

Caroline also gives a sneak peek into her upcoming 12-week group coaching program, The Bread Winner Inner Circle, where she'll work with bakers to apply these six foundational pillars to their businesses. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your bakery to the next level, this episode offers key insights and actionable tips that will leave you ready to transform your business and your life. Join the waitlist for the program and start laying a solid foundation for your bakery today!

Join The Bread Winner Inner Circle Waitlist:

www.carolinebower.com/innercirclewaitlist

Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://www.carolinebower.com/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery! 

Caroline Bower Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough

Episode 20

Hello, and welcome back to another episode of the breadwinner podcast. It's Caroline here, And today's topic is key if you are here to build a business.

We're going to be talking about the six foundational pillars that every micro bakery needs to really thrive.

So maybe you started selling sourdough on a whim, like I did. And it's snowballed into more of a business than you anticipated. You probably pretty quickly realized that this is more like 60% making good business decisions and 40% baking bread.

So you might wonder why today's topic is so important. And the answer is because it's all about creating a system. That supports you in every part of your business from attracting the right customers, to managing your money. And even making sure that you're not burning yourself out.

So before he started my bakery a year ago, I actually had three years of prior business ownership experience where I learned so much about what makes a business successful. I took everything that I learned from that experience and applied it to my bakery. So over the last four years, I have been learning and applying all of my firsthand knowledge as well as my previous 15 plus years, working for other business owners.

You'll be covering all the bases that you need To build a super solid business.

As I've built my bakery over the past year, I've worked hard to make sure that I'm building a business that's sustainable. That means That it's repeatable that I can continue growing this business over time. So I'm not taking on too much at any given time. I am intentionally making decisions that ensure that this business sticks around.

So it's super important to me that I sleep eight hours a day. At least five nights a week. So my business is structured to make sure that happens. Otherwise I'm not able to show up well, and that would not make this business sustainable for me.

So we'll get into the pillars in just a moment. I'm excited to tell you that these are the very same pillars that we'll be working together on in my new 12 week group coaching program, The Bread Winner Inner Circle this is a growth accelerator.

So if you've been feeling like your business has a lot of potential. But you're not quite sure how to take it to the next level. Stick around. We're going to dive into these six pillars. And how they can transform your business. The doors for The Bread Winner Inner Circle are opening next week.

Those of you who are on the wait list will get first access. And the spots will be limited to make sure that it's an intimate group. If you haven't already joined the waitlist, you can do so by clicking the link in the show notes. Like I said, though, doors to the waitlist are opening next week and then the doors will open to the public. And we are kicking things off with a welcome call on October 1st.

So we are coming up to it soon and I am so excited. All right with all that said, let's get started.

But it boils down to this marketing really is just about making sure that the people who need your bread know that you exist. It's about connecting with your audience. And building relationships with your customers and making sure that you're speaking to the right people. So the truth is you could be the best baker in town. But if no one knows about your business, you're going to struggle.

That's why it's so important to have a clear marketing strategy.

Pillar number two is sales.

Now sales can feel icky. It can feel uncomfortable. It can conjure up images of. The guy knocking on your door, telling you to buy new windows. Or , the car salesman or the phone salesman, it can feel really sleazy and yucky, but that's not how I do sales and that's not how I teach sales.

Authentic sales truly is just serving your customers.

It's about talking to the right people and helping them come to a decision. That improves their lives. In this case, it's bringing home the joy of fresh sourdough bread to their families. We'll talk about how to communicate well and authentically, and in a way that feels true to you without feeling pushy or slimy or sleazy.

Becoming comfortable with sales is something that comes over time and practice and doesn't happen in just three months. However in three months you can make a lot of progress. And you can get clear on your offers that are irresistible To your customers. And grow in your confidence. .

As a business owner, it is really important that your mindset around sales begins to shift. That you can set aside the idea that sales has to be pushy. And realize that sales.

Can be service. You don't have to be part of the inner circle to, to know this. This is something that you can just start to apply in your business. But we're going to talk really practically in the inner circle about How to develop a mindset that helps you sell more confidently. And feels true to you.

All right. Pillar number three. His process optimization.

This one is so important for bakers.

If you've ever had one of those days where you feel like you are just absolutely running in circles. Trying to bake, trying to pack your orders. Trying to put a post up on Instagram. Answer that email that's been sitting for a couple of days and somehow find a minute to breathe. Make maybe drink a cup of coffee.

That's lukewarm. If you've experienced this, then you know how important it is to have efficient systems in place.

And if you've never had a day where you feel like you're running around like a chicken with your head, cut off, tell me your secrets because I. Think this is a nearly universal experience as bakers. But it doesn't have to be complete chaos every week.

With efficient processes, it allows you to get more work done in less time. Or even just have a minute to catch your breath in between tasks.

It helps you reduce the feeling of overwhelm.

And ultimately just lets you have enough time to enjoy the parts of your business that you love and that light you up. So you can like, we talked about, have a business that is sustainable.

Pillar number four is product optimization. So we talked about process. Now product.

And this is where as a business owner, it's so important to focus on. Making sure that the products you're offering are the best that they can be, but also that you're offering.

A targeted menu for your ideal client that contains the right products without offering too many things.

So sometimes this can mean.

Creating some new offers that your customers will get excited about.

Tweaking some recipes or maybe even eliminating some things from your menu.

And it's also about making sure that your products align. With your brand and your mission.

Again, you can do this yourself.

You do not have to be part of the inner circle to implement. Any and all of these pillars, whether or not you join a community with fellow bakers, you can absolutely start making changes in your business to make sure that you're balanced on all six of these pillars for a solid business. The inner circle will just help you go from DIY to supported so that you can. Start to optimize your business more quickly.

Obviously, if you're running a business, you need to be making money.

As a business owner, you probably know that it's super easy to have money come in and then just turn right around and reinvest it into the business.

But for a business to be sustainable, really must be paying yourself.

So managing your money is definitely not always the most exciting part of running a business. But having a solid handle on your cashflow. Is what allows you to grow? And to feel secure in your business and to make sure that your business is staying around for the long haul.

If you're just pouring time into your business and never seeing a return. You're not going to want to continue the business.

you're going to burn out and that business will not be sustainable for the longterm.

If you have not read this book, or I love the audio book, he narrates it and makes it Very engaging. This book Is a game changer for entrepreneurs. I highly recommend it. So we'll be talking about the Profit First method. In the inner circle.

And setting up. Really simple. Easy to implement easy to follow systems, to make sure that you are managing your money in a way that is effective. And that allows you to set aside money for yourself.

So we'll talk about how to make sure that, you know, Where your money's going. And how to reinvest in your business. Because when your finances are under control. Then you'll have the confidence to make big moves in your business without worrying about whether you can afford them.

To your budget in any context? The sixth and final pillar is lifestyle optimization.

Honestly, I think this. Is quite possibly the most important one. And easily the most overlooked pillar.

Most of us probably started our business because we wanted more control over our lives. More time with our families. More freedom, more flexible income. But sometimes It can start to feel like our businesses are running our lives. Instead of the other way around.

And again, that is a recipe for burnout. And we are anti burnout here at the breadwinner podcast and in the breadwinner inner circle.

Taking a good look at your time and figuring out how you can optimize your business to support a well-r ounded life. Is what we'll be talking about and exploring in the inner circle.

So we'll talk about time management. Setting boundaries and building a schedule. That leaves room for the things that matter to you.

value and brings joy to you, to your family, to your community.

Whether you decide that The Bread Winner Inner Circle is a good fit for you or not, I still want you to be able to come away from this podcast with food for thought and some ideas to help evaluate your business and maybe make small changes here and there.

To build a business that feels well suited for the needs of your life.

So there you have it. The six pillars. That your business needs to thrive. Marketing, sales, process optimization, product optimization. Cash flow. Systemization. lifestyle optimization.

Like I said, these are the exact pillars that we'll be focusing on in the 12 week growth accelerator that is opening so soon.

To streamline your operations and make sure that your business is aligned with the life that you want and do it all. In time for the craziness of the holiday season so that you can come out of that season feeling energized and not burnt out. Then I'd love for you to join us.

Spots are limited because I want to keep this group intimate and focused. So if this sounds like what you've been looking for, jump down to the show notes, join the wait list. Like I said, the doors are opening to the waitlist next week. And opening to the public soon after that with our very first kickoff call happening on October 1st. I am so excited about the transformation that we'll see in the community, in this group. And the connections and the friendships that will surely happen.

They drop every Monday and Thursday and they are always filled with actionable strategies and tactical tips that you can take and apply directly to your business.

I'll be back very soon and until then, happy baking.