Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marci Prebianca, owner of Marci's Bakery, located in Stoney Creek, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I own and operate a bakery that is dedicated to creating and serving healthy & tasty baked goods that are free from Canada's top food allergens, and specifically gluten-free, vegan, peanut-free & tree nut-free. Our desire is to create a space where everyone, no matter their dietary restrictions or choices, can enjoy something delicious without concern of food allergens.
Tell us about yourself
I began the original business in 1990. We offered healthy baked goods and grew to 3 locations very quickly. At the same time, I was newly married and having our children. Sadly, a tragedy struck, and I lost one of my sons. I closed the business to mourn and heal.
In 2012, I was inspired to restart my business after being introduced to an amazing foundation called The Baby Safe. This not-for-profit rescues abandoned babies from garbage dumps and other remote areas in Africa. My desire to rescue and help these sweet souls is what lead me to begin the business again.
Now every day, we do our best to help not only the Baby Safe foundation, but we also look closer to home and do our best to help everyone who comes in through our doors and other foundations that we have learned of since re-opening.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
That's a tough question! I think it would be re-opening/re-inventing the business after the death of a child.
Honourable mentions:
A. Creating recipes from scratch that have won awards and that are also food-allergen free.
B. Staying viable during the COVID 19 pandemic has definitely been a challenge. It requires a lot of thinking, altering, and creativity, not to mention staying positive and hopeful.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing is juggling all the responsibilities and prioritizing when there is so much on my plate.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The top 3 tips I would give to anyone who wants to start, run and grow a business would be:
- Have a genuine love and passion for what you are getting into, but also be practical. Don't just start a business because you like to do something; make sure that you do your research, number crunching, and investigate the competition (if there is any).
(I can elaborate on this if you'd like me to). - Be prepared to fail a little, and don't be afraid of failing. Not everything you do is going to be an instant success. Some of the stuff you're going to do will fail. It's not a bad thing and is actually a great way to learn.
- Research resources. There is a lot of help out there. You're not alone. (I can expound on this as well if you like).
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Do your best to be flexible/expect unexpected changes. You never know what's coming.
In the past two years, two things have thrown a curveball at our business.
- COVID 19
- New baby in Marci's Family born with a rare debilitating disease.
What did we do?
- Created new products, improved our online shop, prayed a lot!
- I focused more on family. I created a cookie named after my granddaughter to raise money to find a cure for her disease (Lesch-Nyhan's) https://marcisbakery.com/collections/cookies-brownies/products/cookies-the-georgie-cookie?variant=39512889294914
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://marcisbakery.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcisbakery/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcisbakery/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcisbakery
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marcisbakery/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.