Kitchen Notes: A Podcast by Bakery Business Academy
This podcast is hosted by Meg Svec and targets bakers and food entrepreneurs who want to build profitable bakery businesses that impact their communities. It covers practical business advice, from launching a bakery to scaling up, with a focus on sustainable success. The show is associated with Bakery Business Academy, offering guidance for food business owners.
Episodes
Recipe Costing Just Got A Whole Lot Easier
After years of talking about this, I’m thrilled to share that our new recipe costing app for bakery owners is FINALLY Live! On today’s episode, I’m sharing the story behind why I built this app, and how I turned a real pain point in the bakery community into a working software product that will save you TONS of time and help you earn more money in your business!!If you’ve struggled with recipe cos
Summer Vacation, Here We Come!
A quick episode this week to update you guys on a few things...Kitchen Notes is going on summer vacation! I am easing back into work after maternity leave, and my older kiddos are off on summer break. I'll be taking a little podcasting break this summer, but we will return to regular weekly episodes again in September! We had a baby! My husband and I welcomed our THIRD daughter, Marigold, on
4 Signals that You're Ready to Grow Your Bakery Business: A Data-Backed Framework to Guide Your Decision
Episode Show Notes:Growth is exciting, but it's also one of the most consequential decisions a bakery owner can make. In this episode, we’re breaking it all down with an honest, data-backed conversation most bakery owners never have before they sign a lease or make a major investment in growing their business. Whether you're thinking about getting your first commercial space or expanding
The 30-Minute Financial Habit that Separates Profitable Bakeries from Struggling Ones
Episode Show Notes:Most bakery owners either avoid their Profit & Loss statement entirely … or they open it up a few times a year, feel terrible (or confused) about what they see, and shut it right back down. In this episode, I’m making the case for a totally different relationship with your P&L — not as a report card, but as one of the most powerful diagnostic tools in your entire busines
Cash Is King for Small Bakery Businesses - Why Your Income Statement Shows a Profit, But Your Bank Account Is Empty
Episode Show Notes:It’s the end of the month, and you’re sitting down to review your sales reports and Profit & Loss statement…You open up Quickbooks or download the P&L that your bookkeeper or accountant sent over and see a profit. GREAT - pop the champagne, right?!Not so fast … you hop over to your bank account, log in, and (record scratch) … your stomach drops. Sound familiar? You'
The Bakery PROFIT Framework: Your Complete System for Running a Financially Healthy Business
Episode Show Notes:If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right — the baking, the orders, the hustle — and the money still isn't adding up … this episode is for you. Today, we’re introducing you to the Bakery PROFIT Framework: a six-part system to help bakery owners see and understand their full financial picture (not just one piece of it). This isn't just about menu
You've Nailed Your Recipe Costs — So Why Is Your Bank Account Still Empty?
Episode Show Notes:You've done the work. You've costed your recipes, built a pricing system you trust, and you're not just guessing at your margins anymore. So … why does the money still feel tight? In this episode, I’m talking about a concept called “micro vs. macro thinking” — and making the case that MOST bakery owners are only operating with half the picture. If you've ever
How Much Money Do Bakery Owners REALLY Make? (The Real, Honest Answer)
Episode Show Notes:It's the question everyone's secretly Googling but rarely gets a straight answer to: how much money can you ACTUALLY make running a bakery? In this episode, I’m cutting through the vague, overly optimistic answers and giving you a real, practical framework for understanding your own earning potential — grounded in actual numbers, not hope or fear. If you've ever w
Busy Doesn't Mean Profitable: What to Watch When Your Bakery Starts Getting Traction
Episode Show Notes:Getting your first orders is a huge deal — and you should feel genuinely proud of that. But early momentum is also one of the trickiest stages of building a bakery business, and it's where a lot of talented bakers unknowingly set themselves up for a frustrating plateau down the road. In this episode, Meg breaks down what's really happening when your business starts to
Stop Waiting Until It's Perfect — Start Selling Now!
If you've been spending more time on your logo than on actually selling your baked goods … this episode is for you. Today, we’re getting real about the "overengineering" trap that keeps so many bakers stuck before they ever make their first sale — and I’ll be sharing exactly where your energy needs to go instead (especially in those early days).Key Takeaways:Your brand colors, websi
Why Your Bakery Feels Busy, But You're Still Broke: A Simple Bakery Profit Audit
Episode Show Notes:Are you actually profitable in your bakery business — or just busy?In this episode, I’m walking you through a simple 15-minute Bakery Profit Audit designed to help you stop guessing about your numbers. If you’ve ever felt exhausted, fully booked, and somehow still unsure whether you’re truly making money… this one’s for you.We’ll talk about why “busy” doesn’t automatically mean
Want to Make More Money this Year? Don’t “Brick” Your Customers
You’ve dialed in your pricing.You’ve built your budget.You understand your labor and food costs.Now what?If you’re trying to grow your bakery this year — more weddings, more catering, more foot traffic, more wholesale — your online presence can’t afford to be a brick.In this episode, we're breaking down one of the most overlooked revenue leaks in small bakery businesses - and it's not an
From Market Tents to Milwaukee’s Best Bakery: How Amy Gorski Built an Award-Winning, Community-Focused Shop From the Ground Up
Episode Description:In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with someone very near and dear to my heart — Amy Gorski, owner of Poppy Bakery in Milwaukee, WI, and a former kitchen manager and head baker at Spilt Milk. Amy has had one of the most intentional, inspiring, hard-won journeys to bakery ownership I’ve ever seen, and in this conversation she opens up about the decisions, discipline, and deep
Revenue Dip? Your 5-Step "No Panic" Plan to Rebound When Sales Are Down
If your bakery is feeling the post-holiday sales slump right now—you’re not alone. In this episode of Kitchen Notes, Meg walks through a calm, strategic 5-step plan to help you assess the dip, figure out where it's coming from, and create a realistic game plan to recover revenue without panic or burnout.Whether January is slow for you, or your dip hits in July or October, this episode will gi
The #1 Bakery Profitability Tip You’re Probably Overlooking
Episode Description:In today’s episode, we’re answering a listener question that came up during one of our recent live workshops — and it’s one I hears all the time: What’s your top cost-saving tip for bakery owners?If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to make your bakery more profitable, this episode is for you. I'm shares the real, often overlooked secret to improving your margins — and i
Beyond Resolutions - Real Talk About Setting Intentional Bakery Goals for a Stronger 2026
Episode Description:It’s that quiet, cozy week between the holidays and the New Year—a natural time to pause and reflect. In this episode, let's walk through a gentle (non-hustle-y!) approach to year-end reflection and business planning. Instead of racing into 2026 at full speed, I invites you to slow down, look back with honesty, and begin the new year with grounded clarity about what’s work
Black Friday Preview: Your 2025 “5 Days of Deals” Sneak Peek
Episode Show Notes:This week on Kitchen Notes, we’re doing something a little different — and very exciting. For the first time in years, we’re bringing our biggest sale of the year back to Black Friday Week… and today, you’re getting a behind-the-scenes preview of everything coming your way.After selling our bakery this fall, I’ve finally had the headspace to revamp, rebuild, and expand many of t
Big News About Our Bakery! [Part 2]
Episode Show Notes:In this follow-up episode, Molly and I are back to talk about what happened after we sold Spilt Milk. From the nitty-gritty of the transition process to the emotional side of letting go—we’re walking you through what it really looks like to step away from a business & successfully transition it to new ownership.We also share what’s next for both of us, and what the future ho
Big News About Our Bakery! [Part 1]
Episode Description:Big news—after more than a decade running Spilt Milk, we’ve sold the bakery. In this special two-part series, I’m joined by my sister and co-founder Molly to talk about the journey that led us to this huge decision. This first part dives into the why behind our decision, how the idea came about, and what the early steps looked like.If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes t
6 Things Your Bakery Needs for a Profitable, Stress-Free Holiday Season
The holidays are coming (fast), and your Q4 revenue goals won’t hit themselves.So let me ask you this: 👉 Have you actually started planning? 👉 Or are you telling yourself you'll figure it out "next week"?This week on Kitchen Notes, I’m breaking down the 6 core things every bakery needs to think through before the holiday season hits. We’re talking:✅ The 6 critical areas of holiday p
The Holidays Are Coming: Is Your Bakery Ready?
The holiday season may still feel far away, but if you run a bakery, now is the time to get your game plan in place.In this episode, Meg is giving you a friendly (but firm!) reality check and helping you kickstart your holiday planning before it's too late. Whether you’re a seasoned bakery owner or heading into your very first holiday season this episode is packed with practical strategies, h
9 Things I'd Do Differently If I Started My Bakery TODAY
Starting or running a bakery can be thrilling—but it’s also easy to get lost in the daily grind and miss some of the big-picture moves that set you up for success. In this episode, I’m looking back at my own journey and sharing the 9 lessons learned & things I would do differently if I were starting my bakery today.We're talking about three phases of business growth—Getting Started Right,
No Lines Around the Block? You’re Still Doing It Right
Episode Description:It’s easy to look at the bakeries with long lines and viral reels and wonder if you're falling behind. But here’s the truth: slow, steady, consistent growth is the real magic in most bakery businesses. In this episode, I’m diving into the unglamorous (but wildly effective) habits that actually move the needle—and why you don’t need to chase every trend or constantly reinve
Sold Out in 60 Minutes – The Power of Email Marketing
Slow sales week? We’ve all been there! In this episode, Meg shares the story of how one simple email helped sell out an entire weekend’s worth of pies—in under an hour.If you’ve been pouring time into social media with little to show for it, this episode will get your wheels turning on a marketing strategy that’s simple, repeatable, and actually works. Whether you’re brand new to email or just nee
From Solo to Staffed: Tips For Hiring Bakery Employees [Listener Question]
Episode Description:Thank you to Margaret for submitting a question for this week's episode!In today’s episode, Meg tackles one of the biggest (and scariest) growth decisions bakery owners face—how do you know when it’s time to hire? If you’ve ever found yourself stretched thin but nervous to bring on staff before the revenue follows, this episode is for you.Key Takeaways:How to spot the sign
Trends + Truths: What 2025 Is Teaching Us in the Bakery Business
We're halfway through 2025—and wow, what a year it's been! In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the trends and patterns I'm noticing in the baking industry. From price sensitivity to labor market challenges, catering wins to AI tools—we're covering what's shifting and, more importantly, what’s actually working right now. Whether you're "feeling t
The Tech Tools That Power Our 7-Figure Bakery Business
Ever wonder how a small bakery team can consistently generate over $1 million a year in revenue—without burning out? In this behind-the-scenes episode, Meg shares the exact tech tools that help her and co-owner Molly run a lean, efficient, and profitable bakery operation. From point-of-sale systems to payroll, email marketing to order automation, you’ll get a peek into the tools that power their b
Leading Indicators - A Simple Weekly Scorecard to Keep Your Bakery Profitable and On Track
If you've ever pulled your sales report and thought, "We did okay this week... I guess?" — this episode is for you.In today’s solo episode, Meg walks you through a simple but powerful tool to help you track what’s really going on in your bakery — without fancy software or a finance degree.We’re talking about the Leading Indicator Scorecard — a weekly habit that gives you more clarit
Break-Even or Bust: The #1 Number Every Bakery Owner Needs to Know
Episode Summary:In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the most important—yet overlooked—numbers in bakery business success: your break-even point. Whether you’re feeling stuck, wondering if you can keep your doors open, or just want to make smarter decisions for your bakery’s future, understanding your break-even number is the first step. On this episode, Meg shares why “busy” doesn’t always
We’re Back! Kitchen Notes Returns with an update on Summer Plans, Bakery Growth & What’s Next
Episode Summary:Meg returns to the Kitchen Notes podcast after a six-month break to share what’s been happening behind the scenes at Spilt Milk Pastry and Bakery Business Academy. In this quick catch-up episode, Meg opens up about why she paused the show, exciting new projects underway, and what listeners can expect from Kitchen Notes moving forward—including more frequent episodes, updated resour
From Home Bakery to Heart of the Community: How The Evergreen Has Found a Recipe For Success in Rural Kentucky
Episode Summary: Join us on this inspiring episode of Kitchen Notes as we sit down with Amy Smith, the dynamic owner of The Evergreen Southern Kitchen & Gathering Place, a multifaceted Bakery/Cafe & event venue in Bridgeport, Kentucky. Transitioning from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, Amy shares her journey of creating a thriving business that not only serves delectable treats but
Introducing: Bakery Finance Essentials Live!
On today's episode, I'm excited to announce a new program we are running starting the week of August 5, 2024 - Bakery Finance Essentials LIVE!I've been teaching my flagship bakery finance e-course in one form or another since 2019 ... it's gone through many iterations and revisions, and I'm confident it is the most comprehensive & approachable bakery finance e-course o
Reducing Friction In Your Ordering Process to Grow Your Bakery Sales
Order Up! On today's episode of Kitchen Notes, we're diving deep into your bakery’s ordering process - with a specific focus on reducing friction in the ordering process so you can increase sales. From crafting a user-friendly menu to leveraging modern technology for 24/7 ordering capabilities, we explore strategies & techniques to make buying from your bakery as effortless as possib
Mid-Year Recap (Part 2): Finance Deep Dive from Our Bakery to Yours
On today's episode, we dive into a detailed financial review of the first half of 2024. We'll discusses investments, revenue growth, budget considerations, and specific financial metrics that we're keeping on eye on as we grow our bakery. This financial check-up aims to provide listeners with insights on managing their bakery's finances and adapting strategies for continued gro
Mid-Year Recap: Hits, Misses, Trends, & Triumphs from Our Bakery to Yours (Part 1)
On today's episode, we're digging into "Part 1" of a new two-episode series where we look back at the first six months of 2024 - sharing key business updates, financial insights, and unique investments that have shaped the success of our year so far! Join us as we discuss the projects we've worked on, investments we've made this year, and trends that have influenced n
The Marketing Myth: When More Sales Don't Equal More Money
Episode Summary:In this episode of Kitchen Notes, Meg dives into a crucial topic for bakery owners struggling with profitability: the myth that more sales always lead to more profit. Drawing from personal experiences and lessons learned with her bakery, Spilt Milk, Meg emphasizes the need to deeply understand your costs, price your products correctly with healthy profit margins, create a profit-fi
Mixing It Up: Creative Collaborations to Boost Your Bottom Line
Episode Summary:In this episode of Kitchen Notes, join us as we explore the power of business collaborations to boost bakery sales, expand customer reach, and enhance brand exposure. Discover how partnerships with complementary businesses - whether with taco joints or local florists - can lead to fun and fruitful outcomes. Host Meg Svec shares real-life examples from recent successful collaboratio
Bake Smarter, Not Harder: Low-Effort Strategies for Boosting Your Bakery’s Revenue
Episode Summary:In today's episode of Kitchen Notes, we're diving deep into effective strategies for increasing your bakery's revenue, without the need to expand your menu or invest in new product development. Focusing on practical, low-effort techniques, we'll explore how things like minor packaging adjustments, "low-fi" subscription models, and regular sales promoti
Bake, Sell, Repeat - Let’s Crunch The Numbers in a Post-Holiday Debrief for Bakery Owners
Episode Summary:In this episode, we're diving into a detailed post-Mother's Day debrief that reveals how to leverage holiday sales to sustain and grow your bakery business. Join us as we explore practical strategies for maximizing revenue during key sales periods, with real-life examples from our recent successful Mother's Day holiday baker promo! Whether you're running a bustl
The Dough Must Go On: Life, Baking, and Business Resilience
Episode Summary: In this comeback episode of Kitchen Notes, we delve deep into the personal and professional challenges of running a bakery amidst life's unpredictable swings. Host Meg Svec shares her heartfelt experiences balancing personal challenges & family life with bakery management, and offers insights into navigating the financial and emotional ups and downs of the bakery business
Capping Off Our Most Profitable Year EVER - 2023 "Year In Review"
Join me as I look back & reflect on an eventful 2023! It's been a year of profound changes and learning for me, both on a personal level and as a business owner. From embracing my role as a parent, to steering our bakery towards new growth with the help of my business partner ... we're unwrapping it all on today's episode! Key Highlights:The changes we made this year to manage o
The January Juggle: Let's Talk Inventory Management Strategies
In today's episode, we're diving deep into the nitty-gritty of managing inventory, and practical strategies for deciding how much product you need to produce at your bakery.Picture this: it's December, we're knee-deep in the "holiday hustle", & sales are booming. Slow down there, soldier! January's peeking around the corner, ready to throw us a curveball. In
Identifying Revenue vs. Pricing Issues in Your Bakery Business
In this episode, we dive deep into a common challenge faced by bakery owners: distinguishing between a revenue problem and a pricing problem. Often, bakery businesses struggle to cover their expenses, pay themselves, or grow due to low sales and/or cash flow issues. Today, we explore the importance of knowing and understanding your revenue / sales numbers, and discuss some general rules of thumb w
Listener Question: Money Matters, & Mastering Your Bakery's Bottom Line
In this episode of Kitchen Notes, we're taking a listener question & diving deep into an essential business finance topic: raising your prices! On today's episode, we'll talk about... The various factors that can impact your bottom-line profitability, The importance of understanding your business costs, which includes overhead costs (rent, utilities, etc.), labor costs (employee
Rising to Success: How Moira Walker Built Her Thriving Bakery Business
Moira Walker is a former deli owner who turned her passion for pie baking into a successful cottage bakery business. Moira began her business baking pies on the weekends, and selling from a charming roadside stand, using an honor box for payment.Her business grew through word of mouth, and the support of her local community.Before long, Moira expanded her business by participating in farmers'
Navigating Challenges and Celebrating Milestones: A Mid-Year Bakery Update
We're back!It's been a minute since we've posted a new Kitchen Notes episode, and I'm excited to be back at it. Last time I spoke with you, we were talking 2023 goals. Now that we're about half-way through the year, let's check in - shall we?I'm sharing an update on what's been happening in MY business (Spilt Milk), and some lessons learned. I'm hoping
2022 Wrap Up Part 3: Looking Ahead To A Fresh Start in 2023!
Happy New Year!In this 3-part series, we’ll be sitting down to “hit the reset button” as we start a new year. We’ll take a look back at 2022 to talk about what went well, exciting milestones we achieved as a business, lessons learned, and where we’re headed in 2023.Today, tune in for Part Three, where we're talking about some of the important pillars that our guiding our goals for the upcomin
2022 Wrap Up Part 2: Lessons Learned
Happy New Year!In this 3-part series, we'll be sitting down to "hit the reset button" as we start a new year. We'll take a look back at 2022 to talk about what went well, exciting milestones we achieved as a business, lessons learned, and where we're headed in 2023.Today, tune in for Part Two, where we dig into a few things that could have been better about last year, incl
2022 Wrap Up Part 1: The Good!
Happy New Year!Over the next 3 episodes, we'll be sitting down to "hit the reset button" as we start a new year. We'll take a look back at 2022 to talk about what went well, exciting milestones we achieved as a business, lessons learned, and where we're headed in 2023.Today, tune in for Part One of this three-part series, where we'll dive into:Our "Million Dollar
Revenue Tips for a Profitable Holiday Season
If you run a bakery, you know that the fourth quarter can be incredibly hectic. Everybody wants their pastries and treats and goodies for the holiday season. While that usually means a big boost in revenue, it also means a whole lot of work. In this episode, we’re talking all about prepping for the holiday season — like how to boost revenue without adding a ton of extra tasks to your already full
Using Data to Quantify Your Instincts
While blindly running on instinct probably isn’t going to be the best path to a successful business, there IS something to be said about listening to what your gut is telling you. In this episode, we’re talking about why when it comes to your bakery business you should listen to that little voice in the back of your head telling you to pay attention — while still looking at the numbers to validate
How to Prep For Your Monthly Financial Review
Of all the things we do in our business each month, there’s one thing in particular we find is always worth the time we spend on it — the month end financial review. In this episode, we’re sharing our month-end financial review process and sharing how it allows us to put together a strong game plan based on facts based on data. We get into:What exactly goes into our end-of-the-month financial rev
It’s Spilt Milk’s Anniversary - Celebrate Six Years In Business With Us!
It’s time to celebrate! Spilt Milk has been in business for six years and we’ve got plenty of reasons to jump for joy. We opened our retail shop in 2016, and it’s always fun to take a look back at the journey.In this episode, we’re reflecting back on some lessons learned, friends made along the way, keeping a business running throughout a global pandemic, and our very favorite memories. Thank you
Dana Cree: From Pastry Chef to Ice Cream Entrepreneur
Whether you’re making mind-blowingly gorgeous pastries or out-of-the-world ice cream, many of the principles of running a small business are the same. On this episode, we sit down with seasoned pastry chef turned entrepreneur and owner of Pretty Cool Ice Cream, Dana Cree. Dana shares her journey and the lessons she learned along the way, including:Figuring out parenthood as a small business owner
Add It Up: Patching Your Budget Leaks
Knowing your numbers is a critical piece of bakery business success, but how do you take action to stay on top of things when you notice some gaps in where your money is going? In this episode, we’re sharing how we’ve approached tracking slow leaks in our budget. We get into:How reviewing your weekly KPI report will help you notice small leaks before they turn into massive holes. Why your refund r
Sarah Becker Gets Real About Your Dollars and Cents
When it comes to money management, sometimes you just want to bury your head in the sand and avoid it — but friends, it’s time to take a deep breath and rip off the bandaid!In this episode, we sit down for a chat with financial educator & all-around cool gal Sarah Becker for some real talk on effective money management. After ten years as a wedding photographer, real estate investor, and small
Planning for Profitability: Budgeting & The Profitable Pricing Formula
In a time where the cost of ingredients is steadily climbing, can you run a bakery AND still make a profit? In this episode, we’re tackling this question from a community member. We talk about:•How to adjust when you don’t have a lot of wiggle room in the budget•Why closely monitoring your budget is critical to profitability•How to look for opportunities to “do more with less”•Plus more tips on ke
Connie Brown: Build Your Team to Build Your Business
When you run a bakery business, you can always expect the unexpected. In this episode, we sit down with Connie Brown, owner of The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor and Creamery, who successfully made the transition from corporate marketer to ice cream shop owner. We talk to Connie about: The desire to create a gathering place for the community.How she grew her business and what that evolution looked lik
Community Question: How Do You Stand Out in a Saturated Market?
Competition is a reality when you run a bakery business. But should you really be worrying & wondering what your competition is up to?In this episode, we get real about how we deal with “competitors”, as well as sharing:Why competition in your area is actually a good thing!Why focusing on collaboration and support versus competition is a win / winSome key questions to ask yourself when you fin
Nailing Your Pre-Order Process
As many of us head into the holiday season, we’re ramping up for a high volume of pre-orders. So how do you make sure you’re ready for the onslaught?In this episode, we’re talking about how to get your processes for pre-orders nailed down so that you can avoid extra headaches during what is usually a busy time of year. We share our experiences (and pitfalls), as well as:Why nailing your pre-order
Listener Question: Do You Really Need a Business Plan?
Running a bakery business can be a profitable venture, but before you start whipping up your favorite treats, you need to have a plan.In this episode, we tackle the need for a business plan and why if you want to have a sustainable, successful business, putting in the leg work for a business plan is a must. We also talk about:Why having a business plan is a key ingredient of success.Why revisiting
Balancing Parenthood and Bakery Ownership
Being a parent and running a bakery business can sometimes feel like your very own three-ring circus. In this episode, we’re serving up some real talk on how motherhood has impacted us and how we’ve worked to find the right balance that allows us to excel as both parents and business owners. We also share:Our own journeys becoming parents while running our business.Some of the hurdles we’ve had to
Waste, Discounts, Refunds and More: Dealing with “Lost” Money
When you run a bakery, there are various places where money that you may have planned as part of your profits ends up going out the door. In this episode, we’re discussing how discounts, waste, refunds and more can all have an impact on our bottom line. We talk about:Which parts of your profit and loss statements should be monitored most closely every month when tracking wasteWhy your food budget
Prepping For The Holidays: The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!
The holidays can be a fun and joyful time to be a bakery owner — as long as you keep your wits about yourself and do some planning in advance. We’ve had plenty of highs and lows over the years - so let’s talk about lessons learned!In this episode, we’re sharing some of our biggest tips & tricks from running our bakery through the holiday season. We’re getting real about some of the challenges
Listener Question: How Do You Work with Family and Not Kill Each Other?
As sisters who run a bakery business together, we often get questions about what it’s like to work together. Do we always get along? How do we make it work without killing each other?In this episode, we’re sharing our own experience working with family and some of the ups and downs we’ve had along the way. We also talk about:How to keep it professional in the workplace.Breaking out of your familia
From Idea to Empire: How The Dick and Jane Baking Company Leveraged Simplicity to Find Sweet Bakery Success
When Dick and Jane met over a cookie years ago, they had no idea that years later an idea to put education on an animal cracker would change their entire career trajectory!In this episode, we’re joined by the founder of the Dick and Jane Baking Company — Dick Held. He shares how a passion for combining nutrition and education went from idea to implementation, and they managed to get their products
Breaking Out of Your Motivation Slump - How To Reset & Show Up To Lead, Even When Things Get HARD
Running a bakery business isn’t all sugar, spice, and everything nice. But whether the business is in a slow period, you’ve got personal issues going on, or you're just having a plain old bad day, you still have a business to take care of. So how do you walk in and show up for yourself & your team with a good attitude?In this episode, we’re talking about how to find your motivation when y
The Magic of Branding with Tina Harle from Tina Harle Photography
Branding is one of those things that’s necessary for your bakery business, but if marketing isn’t in your wheelhouse, you may have no clue where to begin. In this episode, we’re having a chat with our friend, photographer Tina Harle of Tina Harle Photography who’s built a thriving business focused on food-related businesses. She shares some of her tips for what bakery owners should pay attention t
Listener Question: How Do You Decide What Goes On Your Menu?
As a bakery business owner, you’re a creative soul and probably have lots of ideas about what you’d like to offer your customers. So … how do you narrow down the choices and figure out what makes the final cut on your menu? And more importantly, how do you make sure your menu is profitable?On this episode, we’re answering a common question we often get asked — how do I decide what goes on my menu?
Business Lessons with Cindy Summers - Chicago’s Premier Wedding Cake Designer
Running a successful bakery requires more than just making fabulous baked goods. Timing, location, marketing, vendor sourcing, staffing and SO much more all need to be taken into account. On this episode of Kitchen Notes, we’re joined by our friend, Cindy Summers. She’s the former owner of Sugar Fixé in Oak Park, IL, and now owns Flourish Cake Design - a premium custom cake studio in Chicago. We s
Listener Question: How Do You Get Comfortable Delegating Important Tasks to Your Employees?
Getting help in your bakery business is really exciting, but it can also be fraught with anxiety. With the right processes in place, you can ensure your business is set up for new employees to thrive!This week we’re tackling a listener question: How do you get comfortable delegating important tasks to your employees?Here’s what we cover in today’s episode:Why documenting all your recipes is an imp
Increasing Your Revenue Without Increasing Your Overwhelm (Here’s How)
Are you chasing that next big sales goal? Do you want to achieve that next level of success with your financial goals in your business? If so, this is the episode for you!As a bakery business owner, you’ve already got a ton on your plate, so finding the time to investigate new marketing ideas or come up with plans to help you meet your financial goals can feel completely overwhelming.In this episo
Listener Question - How Do I Raise My Prices?
With the price of goods rising, and supply chain issues bogging us all down … profit margins are getting smaller (if not disappearing altogether). So - how do you maintain your profit margins, without upsetting your customers? In this episode, we’re chatting about this important & timely topic - How do I raise my prices?!We’ll be getting into:The reality of the current climate and the impact o
Finding Your Financial Footing with Daliah Fritz
Do bookkeeping and handling the finances for your bakery business feel like a huge chore? Do you feel intimidated trying to make all the numbers work from one month to the next?If so - we’ve been there too! And one of the best decisions we’ve ever made in our business was to hire an expert to assist us with money management!In the episode, we’re sitting down with Daliah Fritz, CEO of Fritz Financi
Listener Question - Let’s Talk About Menu Pricing!
“What should I charge for these chocolate chip cookies?""What you would pay for a 6" custom cake?" "Can I price these croissants at $4?”In this episode, we’re talking about the number one question we hear from our community, and it’s probably no surprise it’s about pricing your products! We also give you the rundown on:The fact that there’s no one right and easy answer for
Trust The Data: What Numbers We Track To Run A Profitable Bakery Business
Ever wondered what KPIs are — or why they matter for a bakery business? Let's talk about Key Performance Indicators!During this episode, Molly and Meg share how whether it’s turning a profit, saving for unexpected expenses, paying off business debt, or paying yourself regularly, knowing your numbers makes all the difference in meeting your goals. In this episode, we talk about:Why making data
Farmer’s Market To Thriving Retail Shop: Bootstrapping Our Bakery Dream
In this episode, we take a trip down memory lane to reflect on Molly & Meg started Spilt Milk. We had a milestone month recently – our first month EVER exceeding $100,000 in revenue. What started as a dream, baking overnight and selling at the farmer’s market in Chicago…has grown into a dream business that we love running every day.Along the way, there were lots of stops and starts. If you’ve
How Chickadee Bakeshop Built A Sustainable & Profitable Subscription-Based Bakery Business
What happens when two friends passionate about baking make the leap from a subscription-based bakery to having a retail storefront?In this episode, we sit down with Kate and Dorie from the Chickadee Bakeshop to chat about operating 2 business models at once, running a thriving business in a small town, and how partnering with an established business can be a recipe for magic. Their smart approach
Episode 1: Welcome to Kitchen Notes!
Welcome to Kitchen Notes!In this episode, we’re setting our intentions for the podcast & talking about why we decided to start having these conversations. When we started our bakery in 2013, there weren’t a ton of resources available for bakers looking to turn their talents into profitable small businesses … and we are on a mission to change that! We hope you will find this podcast helpful as
