Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kathleen Roberts, owner of Pink Kat Bakery, located in Ottawa, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Pink Kat Bakery is an at-home baking business that works entirely from scratch, which means we avoid using no pre-made mixes, harsh chemicals, and chemical preservatives and make all of our products using fresh ingredients. We cater to a variety of dietary needs as well, such as for clientele who have gluten sensitivities or celiac, vegan, or who are on a keto diet. We also do custom orders for customers. We deliver orders locally in the Ottawa area.
Tell us about yourself
Starting my own baking business was an idea that I contemplated for about two years. After quitting my job at a retirement home during the pandemic, I felt that it was time to start fresh and do what I love. So on January 15, 2021, I found the business name that I liked and created my social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.
My customers motivate me in my business decisions. As mentioned above, I get a lot of custom orders for certain products. I do my best to cater to all tastes. If I notice that a product is well-received online, then I start developing similar products. My goal is to brighten my customer's day with the products that I create in the kitchen.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
In my first year of starting my business, I also attended six local craft/farmers markets in the Ottawa area. That is no mean feat for a solo business owner, especially in the business's first year!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Probably food cost and labor management. I have to keep managing the cost of my products since the price of ingredients is in constant fluctuation. As a solo business owner, I am also a solo baker, which means that there is a lot of labor involved in making and delivering my products. For instance, if I prepare products for a market day, I work in the kitchen from 8 am to 8 pm. It can be quite exhausting sometimes!
Waste management can be a challenge too. I try my best to minimize food waste in the kitchen as much as possible. If I do end up with leftovers from a market, I offer my products to friends and neighbors. Waste not, want not.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Research local bakeries in your area. See what other people are doing, making, and advertising. This will help you generate some ideas for your own bakery and help you discover if there is a product absent or in need in the local market.
- Come up with a "good" name. That is, try to avoid names that have been taken by other businesses and get creative with the name. It could involve some wordplay, a pun, or something that relates to you on a personal level, such as your culture. The main thing to keep in mind is to come up with a name that is memorable and that it means something to you.
- Follow other bakers on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms. See what they are making in their own kitchens. A lot of these bakers follow food trends, which can help you with ideas for products for your menu. Also, observe how they take pictures of their products. The more aesthetically pleasing your photos are, the more likely people will check out your website.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Don't be afraid to put yourself out there! Advertise as much as possible to friends, family, your neighbors, or anyone else you meet. Carry business cards on you at all times so that people can check out your business online. Update your social media pages on a regular basis so that your followers can see what you're making and advertising. Every post counts!
Where can people find you and your business?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinkkatbakery
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkkatbakery
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.
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