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, Laying a Strong Foundation, and Creating Sustainability—so you can take what’s most relevant to where you are now and put it into action.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why testing your concept before opening your doors can save you money (and stress)
• How building a local network early can lead to bigger opportunities
• Another love letter to email marketing - and how it can transform your businesses
• Why setting your weekly revenue goals from Day 1 is a game-changer
• How protecting yourself as the owner is just as important as protecting the business

🎧 Grab a notebook or take me along on your next walk—we’re diving deep into the lessons I learned the hard way so you don’t have to.

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode

• 📊 Bakery Finance Essentials – Our signature ecourse for bakery owners & managers who want to build profitable bakery businesses with less stress & overwhelm
• 📧 Email Marketing Masterclass – Join the waitlist for our September workshop!
• 📈 KPI Tracking Episode – Listen to my episode on tracking your bakery’s key performance indicators
• 📚 The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande – A must-read on why processes matter
• 👩‍🍳 Private Coaching with Meg – Work 1:1 to create a bakery growth plan tailored to you

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 reinvent the wheel to build a business that lasts.

In this episode, we’re covering:

• The story of a new Chicago bakery that's buzzing—and what we can really learn from their success
• Why comparison is normal—but can be toxic
• What consistent, unsexy habits actually lead to bakery growth
• The importance of sticking with what’s already working (instead of always launching something new)
• A simple fitness metaphor that will change the way you think about tracking progress in your bakery
• Practical ways to start seeing the real results hiding in your weekly numbers

1. Whether you’re in a slow season, questioning your growth, or feeling tempted to blow everything up and start over—this episode is your reminder that the quiet work counts.

Resources Mentioned:

• 📊 Break Even Number Episode
• 🔁 Leading Indicators Episode
• 💌 Join Our Private Facebook Group

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Did you enjoy this episode? If so, I’d be very grateful if you'd leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Have a question or topic you want covered on a future episode? Send me a message—I love hearing from you!

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 need a nudge to use it more consistently, this one’s for you!

📝 Show Notes + Takeaways:

In this episode of Kitchen Notes, we cover:

• What happened when we needed a quick sales boost (and had just 15 minutes to spare)
• Why email marketing outperforms social media by a mile
• The low-lift marketing mindset that guides how we operate
• The tools and systems we use to make email marketing easy and effective
• How to start building your email list this week—without overwhelm or perfection

👀 Spoiler: If you’ve been spinning your wheels on Instagram, this episode might change your marketing game completely.

📌 Resources & Links Mentioned:

• 💌 Join the waitlist for our upcoming Email Marketing Mini Program
• 💬 Email Meg to Inquire About 1:1 Coaching: [email protected] 
• 📱 Chat with other bakery owners in our free Facebook Group: 

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 signs that you're outgrowing your current role—and what that means for your business.
• Why it's sometimes normal to take a short-term financial hit when you're scaling—but how to do it wisely.
• How your break-even number can be your best friend when making hiring decisions.
• Simple ways to start systematizing your bakery now, so you're not scrambling when you do hire.
• Real talk from Meg and Molly’s own hiring journey—including what worked, what didn’t, and what they learned the hard way.

Resources Mentioned:

• 🎧 Break-Even Number Episode – Learn how to calculate your break-even point and use it to guide smart financial decisions.
• 📓 Tech Stack Episode – Learn about tools that help scale your business and support your team.
• 📝 Delegating To Your Team Episode - Setting up your new employees for success & getting comfortable delegating important tasks as a small business owner
• 📘 Bakery Finance Essentials Course – Our flagship program to help you run a financially strong bakery (includes hiring calculators and templates).

Join the Conversation:

Got a question you’d like Meg to answer on the show? Send it in or join our free Facebook group to connect with other bakery owners and get support.

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 the pressure" or simply want to stay ahead of the curve, this one’s for you!

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why customer price sensitivity is rising—and how to adapt without racing to the bottom
• What’s helping us navigate high turnover, especially in entry-level roles
• How catering is boosting revenue (it’s easier than you think to get started)
• Creative ways to bring people into your shop through events and promos
• The power of holiday planning and systemization
• Quick-hit trends in subscriptions, co-packed goods, and low-lift, bakery-friendly AI tools

📌 Resources & Mentions:

• Learn More about Bakery Business Academy
• Episode: Prepping For The Holidays: The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!
• Episode: How Chickadee Bakeshop Built A Sustainable & Profitable Subscription-Based Bakery Business
• Join our Facebook Group to keep the conversation going

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 bakery’s success—and learn how to start streamlining your own business, one smart upgrade at a time!

Key Takeaways:

• The full tech stack we use to run our bakery on part-time hours
• How automation helps us reduce admin work and increase efficiency
• Specific tools for POS, accounting, marketing, payroll, timekeeping, and more
• Where to start if you’re overwhelmed and want to implement just one change
• Why choosing the right tools (not the most expensive ones) can be a game-changer

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Shopify
• Zapiet
• Seal Subscriptions
• Order Printer
• A2X for Shopify
• Mailchimp
• QuickBooks Online
• Bill.com
• Gusto
• 7Shifts
• Google Workspace
• Zapier
• Asana
• Zoom
• LastPass
• Linktree

Join the Conversation:
 

Got a favorite tool of your own? Want help figuring out what systems to implement first? Join our free Bakery Business Academy Facebook Group or reach out via email—I'd love to hear from you!

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 clarity, more control, and fewer surprises at the end of the month. You’ll learn how to identify the metrics that matter most (beyond just sales), so you can catch issues early, spot new opportunities, and build toward your goals with more confidence.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to get more strategic with your numbers, this episode offers an easy first step.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The difference between leading indicators and lagging indicators, and why it matters for your bakery
• Simple weekly data points that can tell you whether you’re trending in the right direction
• Meg’s step-by-step advice for building your own scorecard using tools you probably already have
• How to use your numbers to make more informed decisions around staffing, production, marketing, and more
• Info on how to start a repeatable, low-lift habit that helps you stay focused and in control of your business performance

Episode Resources:

• KPI Tracking Episode (Throwback!) 
• Book Mentioned: Traction by Gino Wickman 
• POS Systems Mentioned:
  • Square for Retail
  • Shopify 
  • Hotplate (I kept calling this tool "Hotjar" in the episode ... Hotjar is a different software tool ... the POS system is called Hotplate!)

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 mean “profitable” and a simple, actionable method to calculate your break-even—even if you’re not a “numbers person.” She also shares real-life stories from Spilt Milk and other bakeries, and practical tips you can use right away to start running your business with clarity and confidence.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why so many bakery owners struggle with making ends meet, even when sales seem strong
• The difference between “busy” and “profitable”—and why it matters
• What the break-even number is, and why it should be your business’s North Star
• How to quickly calculate your own break-even (with simple examples)
• Common pitfalls to avoid when doing these important calculations
• Tips for estimating monthly sales if you’re brand new or have seasonal swings in your revenue numbers
• How your break-even number can guide decisions on hiring, pricing, and growth
• Why monitoring your numbers regularly is absolutely key to staying profitable

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Did you enjoy this episode? If so, we'd be very grateful if you'd leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Have a question or topic you want covered on a future episode? Send me a message—I loves hearing from you!

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 resources, and a special invitation to help beta test a brand new bakery recipe costing app.

Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to the podcast, tune in to get up to speed and find out what’s coming next!

Episode Highlights:

• Why the podcast took a pause (and the power of supportive listeners!)
• What’s new at Spilt Milk Pastry:
  • Relaunch of the catering menu
  • New Spilt Milk branded jams, jellies, and frozen products
  • Launch of a new subscription program
• Changes and pivots in the bakery business—letting go of the liquor license and focusing on core strengths
• Behind the scenes at Bakery Business Academy:
  • Curriculum updates for the Bakery Finance Essentials e-course
  • Mini-courses in development: subscription programs, online ordering, and leveraging AI for bakeries
• Progress on the long-awaited Recipe Costing App for bakery owners (and how you can become a beta tester!)
• What to expect from upcoming episodes:
  • Regular new episodes
  • More interviews, practical tips, and community stories
  • Fresh resources for running a more profitable, efficient bakery

Resources or Links Mentioned:

• Bakery Business Academy – bakerybusinessacademy.com
• Bakery Finance Essentials E-Course
• Beta Tester Sign-Up: Interested in testing the new Recipe Costing App? Email Meg at [email protected] to get in touch!
• Have a question or topic you want covered on a future episode? Send me a message—I loves hearing from you!

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Did you enjoy this episode? If so, we'd be very grateful if you'd leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

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 also stands as a pillar in the community. Discover how Amy's blend of passion, creativity, and strategic business acumen has transformed The Evergreen into a beloved local destination.

This episode was originally recorded in November, 2022

Episode Highlights:

• Amy's Transition from Corporate America: Hear about Amy's shift from a corporate job to running a thriving home bakery, and eventually founding The Evergreen with her family
• The Evergreen's Unique Business Model: Learn about the multifunctional approach of The Evergreen, incorporating a bakery, cafe, gift shop, thriving catering business, and emerging event space that supports local artists. Amy's smart approach to diversifying her business model sets them up for success, despite their "off the beaten path" location
• Community Engagement and Support: Amy discusses the importance of community in the growth and success of her business, especially in a rural setting where "everyone knows everyone"!
• Challenges and Triumphs: Explore the challenges of maintaining a business in a rural area, and how Amy and her team have overcome them to create a thriving community hub at The Evergreen
• Strategic Business Practices: Gain insights into Amy's strategies for diversification and sustainability, particularly through catering & events - smart!
• Seasonal Business Strategy: Understand Amy's approach to seasonal business operation, including taking a break during the slower months to optimize operational efficiency & care for her team
• Marketing and Outreach: Discover how The Evergreen leverages social media & email marketing to reach new customers and engage the community

Resources or Links Mentioned:

• The Evergreen's Website: Visit The Evergreen's website to learn more about their offerings and community events.
• MailChimp: Amy mentioned using MailChimp for email marketing; find more information at MailChimp.