Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Callie Johnson, Owner of Made With Love Bakery, located in Spokane, WA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Made With Love is a bakery in Spokane, Washington crafting delicious desserts and joyful community. We are tucked away in a neighborhood and mostly serve the community who lives near the bakery. Neighbors stop by for a coffee and pastry on their way to work or walk down on the weekends to hang out with friends.
Tell us about yourself
I dreamed of opening a bakery when I was in the sixth grade because I loved to bake. I decided to get a business degree so I understood how to run a business. After graduating from college, I immediately got started working on my business. I sold baked goods at farmers' markets for three years before I was able to open my storefront. Providing treats for people that make them happy and add joy to their life is what motivates me every day. It isn't just about making something delicious but making people feel cared for when they enter the bakery or eat one of my treats.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is creating an entire business from scratch, all on my own. From creating recipes to developing business operations to marketing, etc., I have built this business from the ground up. I learned a lot of things by trial and error and had to make a lot of mistakes to get to where I am now. I am proud of the growth my business has seen over the years and where we are now compared to where we started.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I have found that being a business owner can feel very isolating. Because I don't have a business partner, I am the one making all of the decisions and bearing the full weight of responsibility that running a business entails. Not many people understand the stress that comes with operating a business and how hard it is to keep the doors open year after year. Because of that, it can often feel like a lonely endeavor.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make sure you are passionate about the business you want to start. It is a lot of hard work, so you have to truly love what you do in order to keep going.
- Hire out the elements of the business that are not within your strengths. I hired an accountant because numbers are not my strength.
- Find a community of entrepreneurs that you can connect with. They will have similar experiences to you and will be able to encourage you and offer advice.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.mwlbakery.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mwlbakeryspokane
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/made.with.love.bakery/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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