Kitchen Notes: A Podcast by Bakery Business Academy

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 you can find some inspiration and camaraderie in today's update!Here's what we'll talk about on today's episode:Bakery Updates: What's Happening In The Business?How we're diversifying our revenue streams this yearHiring & Employee Management ... our #1 focus!Bakery Business Academy Updates ... Classes, Memberships, Workshops - yay!*****************************Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform! These reviews and listener feedback really help me know what you're enjoying, and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.For more episodes and to learn more about Bakery Business Academy, please visit https://bakerybusinessacademy.com

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 upcoming year, including commitments we are making to our team, our community, and the planet. Here's a breakdown of what we cover in today's episode:The Triple Bottom Line: One of my favorite articles that Molly shared with me last year was written back in 2020, but really had an impact on me when I read it. The Triple Bottom Line challenges companies to think differently about how they measure success, and we are heading into 2023 using The Triple Bottom Line as a guidepost for what we hope to achieve this year in business. And be sure to check out the article here >>Our Goals for the New Year: Some of the big milestones Molly and I are hoping to achieve (and some others we don't care about anymore!)I hope you enjoy today's episode - thanks for listening! Click here to continue the conversation in our Facebook group for Bakery Entrepreneurs >>

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, including some valuable lessons learned we will carry with us into 2023. Here's a breakdown of what we cover in today's episode:Staff Turnover ... Turnover on our team was craaaaaazy high in 2022. This resulted in spending too much money in our labor budget, poor morale on the team that plagued us throughout the year, and a TON of growth to our HR processes. I am grateful for these difficult (although expensive) lessons we learned, and am excited to make PEOPLE a core focus in 2023.Overshot the Labor Budget ... Building off our lesson learned around employee turnover, 2022 was extremely costly from a labor perspective. We overshot our labor budget, which resulted in lower profits for the business. Whenever you overspend in a certain budget category, I think it's important to dig into the "why". Even if a problem couldn't have been avoided, we can still learn from these situations and carry these lessons with as we try to do better next time. I am grateful for these lessons we learned in 2022 and again - super excited to focus more on our PEOPLE initiative in 2023.Stepping Into Leadership Roles ... As our business has grown, Molly and I have had to evolve from generalists who "do it all" in the business to leaders who are focused on execution & growth. We learned a lot in 2022 about stepping back from the day-to-day, and letting our team grow into their roles as leaders. Our team has grown in our ability to communicate effectively & execute toward big goals, while moving quickly and being able to pivot as new challenges arise. This will continue to be a priority focus as the business continues to grow. Again - PEOPLE is a huge initiative for us in 2023, and we are excited to continue growing our team and growing as leaders ourselves! I hope you enjoy today's episode, and be sure to tune in next time for Part 3 of this 3 part series, where we'll talk about where we are headed in 2023, our goals for the new year, and what we're hoping to accomplish as we realign and continue to grow our business in the New Year.________________________Do you struggle with pricing your menu items, and feel there is something holding you back from building a truly PROFITABLE food business … that you actually ENJOY running?Please join me for our next FREE bakery business workshop on February 7, 2023 -Profit Boost: The 4 Major Pricing Mistakes Food Entrepreneurs Make ... and How To Fix Them!During this hour-long workshop, we will be covering:The 4 profit-killing pricing mistakes I see food entrepreneurs make on a regular basis …WHY these mistakes are SO problematic (even if they seem like no big deal) ...AND how to start really addressing & fixing these lethal pricing mistakes in your business, so you can set yourself up for a profitable & successful year.If you're working on your menu pricing &  increasing your business profits this year, you will want to get in on this free workshop!Space is limited, and these free workshops tend to fill up quickly…so be sure to register soon to snag your seat.For more information or to register for free, please visit BakeryBusinessAcademy.com/workshop.________________________________Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts! That helps us know what type of content you're enjoying, and b

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 Year"

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 to-do list. We also get into:Maximizing production without taking on too much.How offering presales can increase revenue without the extra stress of day-of sales.Leveraging e-commerce opportunities.Offering gift card promos to boost sales. And so much more!

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 and guide you. We get into:Why we believe in trusting your gut and listening to your instincts. How data should be used to validate your gut check whenever possible. What questions you should ask yourself when making business decisions.And so much more!

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 review.How we prepare for the meeting.What highlights we go over when we sit down together.And so much more!

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 to all our wonderful customers and supporters for holding our hand on this journey. We love you - and couldn't do this without you all!

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 and building a business that supports flexibility. How wholesale can create a new revenue stream.The unexpected bumps along the road to opening a 2nd shop.Fostering self-discovery to empower your team. And even more!

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 rate is a number you should be tracking.Where we look at our reporting to identify leaks and how we take action. And more!

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 business owner, Sarah Becker kept hearing the same story from her biz besties over and over again. While outwardly successful in their businesses, they were utterly failing in their financial goals (if they even had financial goals). That's what inspired her to start Becker Talks Money - she believes that money doesn't have to be scary, that curiosity is more important than correctness, and that everyone can become an expert of their own money (with a little help - and that's where Sarah comes in!).On today's episode, we dig into…Reverse engineering your approach with your finances - get ready for your mind to be blown!Why everyone should know their “enough” numberDefining your money goals - and why this is important to building a business you truly ENJOY runningUsing data to tell the real story of what's happening with your money…And more! Episode Links >Want to grab Sarah's “Money Routines Checklist”? Download for free > https://beckertalksmoney.com/money-routineFollow Sarah on Instagram > https://www.instagram.com/beckertalksmoney/Visit Sarah's Website > https://beckertalksmoney.com/

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 keep your finances on track! Looking for more resources on running a profitable bakery business? Recipe Costing Essentials is our introductory menu costing e-course for bakery professionals, and a great place to start if you are looking to transform your food business finances. To learn more about this program and enroll today, please visit RecipeCostingEssentials.com.

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 like.Making the leap to bring certain aspects of production in-house.Some of her biggest lessons along the way.And so much more!

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 find yourself worrying about what your competitors are doing

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 process can dramatically increase your revenue.How streamlining will help you maximize your ability to take orders.What our pre-order process looks like.How you may want to handle payments.Plus more tips and insights!

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 your business plan on a regular basis is important.Why researching and coming up with projections is a helpful exercise for building your business plan. What sections we think are the most important to include when writing a bakery business plan. And so much more!Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.

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 clear at various stages of motherhood and entrepreneurship.How being organized can free up the mental resources you and your team need to operate efficiently.And so much more!

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 is a good indicator of the health of your bakery financesWhy costing your recipes is imperative to help keep track of where money is goingAnd more!Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.

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 we've faced (and how we overcame them), as well as:Why holidays can be a great revenue booster (if you plan for them in advance!)Why having your team queued up in advance is criticalWhy trying to do ALL THE THINGS during the holiday season can be a recipe for disasterWhy sitting down after your busy cycles and going over what went well and what could have gone better helps create a roadmap for future busy times in your bakeryAnd so much more!Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.

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 familial roles.Why trust is paramount to making it work. Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.

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 into school boards across the country! We also talk about:How simplicity with products has made their growth that much easier & fasterWhy committing to and believing in your idea all the way is a must for success How one small idea that can be replicated can grow into something beyond your wildest dreams!Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.

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 you're in a slump. We discuss:How to lead by example for your team — even on days you're just “not feeling it”How routines & self-discipline can help you start each day off right How the stories we tell ourselves can affect our mindset and attitudeWhy sometimes the right and best answer is to take a break!…and so much moreThank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.

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 to for their branding.We also discuss:How Tina got into food photography and branding.How her work brings value to the small businesses she works with.Where social media fits into your branding strategy.Her recommendations for getting comfortable showing off what you do behind the scenes.And more. Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.

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? We're diving into:The key questions you need to ask yourself when determining your menuThe role pricing and costs of goods play in menu decisionsWhy it's okay to fine tune your menu over time.And even more!Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.

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 sat down with Cindy to learn some of the best lessons she's learned along the way on her bakery ownership journey. During the episode, Cindy shares:Why doing your research and understanding market factors BEFORE you even begin creates realistic expectations.How she launched & grew a popular french patisserie, which she then sold to create more space for doing what she loves in her businessHow making connections through mentors in your community can contribute to success. Why allowing ample time before opening means better preparation for both you and your customers.Why you can't plan to do it all yourself, and having a staffing plan is a must. And even more! Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.

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 important process for long-term successWhy planning for “the learning curve” will help for a smoother transition with new staffHow pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is the key to getting the support your business needs!…And more!Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.

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 episode, we're diving into six approachable tips for growing your revenue…We're talking about:Why checking in on your pricing for your best sellers can make a big impact.How streamlining the production process can have a positive effect on revenue.Ways to improve profit margins.Creative strategies to keep your costs in line.And much, much more.Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.

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 on costsWhy advice for big businesses doesn't always translate to smaller onesHow to roll out price changes…And so much more!Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.

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 Financial Solutions (formerly My Small Business Pro). Daliah prides herself on helping her clients worry less about money, and concentrate on building their business. She has helped countless businesses whip their organizations into STRONG financial shape (including ours!), and she's sitting down with us to talk about why starting off on the right foot with your finances can make a big difference in the success of your bakery business. During our chat, we also get into:How putting off handling finances actually costs you MORE in the long runWhy having your taxes in order is absolutely criticalHow understanding all the numbers in your business can help increase your profit marginThe reasons why creating systems for your finances is the key to plugging any money “holes” in your business...and so much more!You can learn more about Daliah at MySmallBusinessPro.comThank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.

“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 how to price everything you make — but there ARE some things you should take into account when figuring out your answer.Some tools and resources you may find helpful in getting your pricing nailed down. If you're looking for more help with pricing your products, we have a course for that! Recipe Costing Essentials is our introductory recipe costing e-course for bakers and food entrepreneurs. To learn more or sign up, please visit RecipeCostingEssentials.comThank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on iTunes! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.

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-driven decisions is critical for small business owners with tight margins.How your business model impacts which numbers matter the most.All the different things you need to factor in when determining your own KPIs. Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on iTunes! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.

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 ever been curious what it takes to launch & grow a successful and profitable bakery business on a budget … you won't want to miss this episode!Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on iTunes! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.For more episodes and to learn more about Bakery Business Academy, please visit podcast.bakerybusinessacademy.com

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 to business helps ensure sustainable revenue AND has helped them grow and scale, while focusing on baking things they enjoy. These ladies have really created something special!We also chat with Dorie & Katie about…Why being unique can be your biggest differentiator.How diversity in your revenue streams can create the stability you need to grow your bakery biz.  Why baking is a joy-based economy.And so much more!Learn more about Chickadee Bakeshop:Chickadee Bakeshop WebsiteChickadee Bakeshop InstagramThank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on iTunes! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.For more episodes and to learn more about Bakery Business Academy, please visit podcast.bakerybusinessacademy.com

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 you work on launching & growing a successful bakery business in your community.We also talk about our DREAM GUESTS … who we hope to some day have on the podcast to share their expertise!Thank you for listening – if you like what you hear, be sure to leave us a rating or review on iTunes! That helps us know what you're enjoying and bring you more content that is relevant and helpful to you.For more episodes and to learn more about Bakery Business Academy, please visit podcast.bakerybusinessacademy.com