In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, we're diving into one of my favorite ways to bring clarity, ease, and identity to your sourdough microbakery—your signature product. If you’ve ever wondered how to stand out in a crowded market, simplify your menu, or create momentum with your customers, this conversation is for you. I’m sharing what a signature product really is, why it matters more than you think, and how to either identify the one you already have—or create it from scratch in a way that aligns with your brand, your capacity, and your personal joy.

We’ll walk through how to find your signature product using data, customer feedback, and your own preferences, and how to make it the anchor of your menu without getting bored. I’ll also talk about promoting your signature item in a way that builds buzz without burnout—and why it doesn’t have to be fancy or complex to be unforgettable. If you’ve ever struggled to decide what to focus on or want your bakery to feel more you, this episode will bring the clarity and inspiration you’ve been craving.

Resources:

• Join my email newsletter here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/newsletter
• Join the Inner Circle Waitlist here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/innercirclewaitlist
• Join the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetwork
• Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdough
• Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/links
• Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://www.carolinebower.com/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery! 

In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, we're digging into one of those questions that comes up so often for sourdough bakers: Should you use organic ingredients? I know it can feel overwhelming, so today I'm breaking it down in an honest, practical way. We’ll talk about why this question matters, how to clarify your own values, and how to make sourcing decisions that truly fit your bakery right now.

I’ll also share tips on prioritizing high-impact swaps (like flour and dairy), weighing your profit margins, and communicating your choices clearly with customers. Your ingredient sourcing is part of your brand story, and you have permission to let it evolve as your business grows. If you want to be real and intentional while building trust with your customers, this episode is for you.

• Join the Inner Circle Waitlist here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/innercirclewaitlist
• Join the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetwork
• Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdough
• Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/links
• Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://www.carolinebower.com/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery! 

Have you ever thought about how your pickup experience shapes your customers’ perception of your bakery? In this episode, I’m walking you through why your pickup process matters just as much as your product—and how you can make small, thoughtful changes that turn casual buyers into loyal fans.

Whether you're handing off sourdough from your front porch or your trunk, I’m sharing practical tips to help you streamline the logistics, eliminate confusion, and add those extra touches that leave your customers feeling seen and valued—without overwhelming yourself on bake day.

• Join the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetwork
• Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdough
• Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/links
• Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://www.carolinebower.com/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery! 

June was a big month around here—both in terms of revenue and lessons learned. With just three bake days, I broke my market sales record and tried out some key process changes, including switching all of my inclusion loaves to minis (spoiler: they flew off the table).

I’m also giving you an honest look at the behind-the-scenes work that doesn’t always make it to Instagram—including what nearly pushed me to burnout.

In this episode, I’m sharing what worked, what didn’t, and what I’m shifting as I head into July. Whether you're managing summer baking, adjusting your product lineup, or dreaming of your own storefront, you’ll walk away with practical insights to apply to your own bakery business.

Links to things you might like!

• Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including the dough bins I mentioned, packaging, pans, and more in my Amazon Storefrom! www.carolinebower.com/amazon
• Join The Bread Winner Inner Circle Waitlist: www.carolinebower.com/innercirclewaitlist

• Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://www.carolinebower.com/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery! 

• Follow me on Instagram (@carolinebower_sourdough) for more microbakery tips! https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough

In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I'm diving into five practical, low-pressure ways to grow your microbakery business—without relying on social media. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the scroll or unsure how to keep up with the algorithm game, this one's for you. 

I’ll walk you through strategies I’ve used in my own bakery to build a thriving, loyal customer base that doesn’t depend on likes, shares, or stories. Whether you still use social media occasionally or want to ditch it altogether, this episode will help you grow in a way that truly fits your life.

Resources:

• Get 50% off of your first month of Project Broadcast: https://app.projectbroadcast.com/sign-up?referral=breadwinner
• Join the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetwork
• Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdough
• Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/links
• Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://www.carolinebower.com/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery! 

If SEO makes your eyes glaze over, you're not alone. But here's the truth—if you're running a sourdough microbakery, especially from home, local SEO can be one of the simplest and most effective tools for helping your community find you. In this episode, I’m breaking it all down in a way that feels doable, not overwhelming. I'm sharing the exact steps I’ve researched and implemented to help make it easier for people searching phrases like “sourdough near me” or “local bread pickup” actually find your business—without needing a full website or hours of tech know-how.

Together, we walk through six practical SEO strategies you can start using today, whether you're baking for porch pickup or prepping for a local market. From claiming your Google Business Profile to optimizing your Instagram bio with local keywords, these tips will help boost your visibility online and connect you with the people who are already searching for exactly what you offer. This episode is all about keeping things simple, clear, and sustainable—so you can keep growing without burning out.

Resources:

• Join my email list here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/newsletter
• Join the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetwork
• Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdough
• Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/links
• Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://www.carolinebower.com/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery! 

In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I’m breaking down the essential business terms that every sourdough microbakery owner should understand—without the confusing jargon. If you've ever felt overwhelmed hearing words like “gross revenue,” “margin,” or “cost of goods sold,” don’t worry—I’m walking you through each one, step by step, in plain language that makes sense for bakers like us. Whether you're just getting started or ready to grow, understanding these foundational numbers gives you the power to price confidently, plan for profit, and protect your energy as a business owner.

I also share how I use these numbers in my own microbakery and introduce a tool I created to make it all easier: my Pricing & Profit Calculator. This tool is designed to help you understand your costs, set pricing that actually pays you, and plan your weekly sales to meet your income goals. If you’ve been winging your numbers or avoiding them altogether, this episode is a chance to take that next step toward building a thriving, sustainable business—one that's as smart as it is soulful.

Resources:

• Get the pricing calculator here: https://carolinebower.thrivecart.com/pricingcalculator/
• Join the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetwork
• Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdough
• Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/links
• Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://www.carolinebower.com/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery! 

May was one of those months that felt full—in a good way. Between markets, porch pickups, and the usual busyness of family life at the end of the school year, I still managed to keep my microbakery rhythm steady. In this episode, I walk you through exactly what worked, what shifted, and where I scaled back to create margin. From simplifying my product lineup to prepping freezer-friendly muffins ahead of time, I share the small decisions that helped me protect my time without sacrificing sales or burning out.

I also take you behind the scenes with some new experiments, like blueberry English muffins and testing out my new dough sheeter for pop-tarts and pastries. Plus, I give you a little update on my brick-and-mortar journey, some early thoughts on crowdfunding, and how Texas’ cottage food law changes might open doors for partnerships with other home bakers. Whether you're in a season of steady growth or prepping for a shift in your business, this recap will give you plenty of practical ideas to simplify, streamline, and stay grounded.

Resources:

• Join my email list here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/newsletter
• Join the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetwork
• Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdough
• Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/links
• Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://www.carolinebower.com/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery! 

🥖🏆 The Bread Winner Inner Circle is finally open for the next cohort! With just 30 spots, it'll fill fast! Click here for the details and to sign up! www.carolinebower.com/innercircle 🥖🏆

If you’re dreaming of turning your sourdough passion into a real business - or if you’ve already started and are feeling a bit in over your head - this episode is for you. I’m walking you through the four most important things to do before you begin selling your bread.

These are the foundational pieces that can help you build a business that doesn’t just look good on Instagram but actually works for your real life. Whether you’re feeling the pressure to just “get started” or you’ve already jumped in and need to backtrack a bit, I’m here to help you lay the groundwork in a way that feels clear, doable, and sustainable.

I share what I’ve learned the hard way—so you don’t have to. My hope is that this conversation gives you confidence, clarity, and a whole lot of encouragement as you move forward. You’ve got what it takes to do this well - and I’m cheering you on every step of the way.

Resources:

• The Bread Winner Inner Circle is finally open for the next cohort! With just 30 spots, it'll fill fast! Click here for the details and to sign up! www.carolinebower.com/innercircle
• Join the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetwork
• Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdough
• Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/links
• Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://www.carolinebower.com/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery! 

Summer in a microbakery brings all kinds of changes—both in customer behavior and in our own capacity. In this episode, I’m walking you through the shifts I’m making in my business as we enter the slower, hotter months.

From streamlining my product offerings to prepping freezer-friendly items like muffins and cinnamon rolls, I’m sharing practical ways to protect your energy, honor your season, and stay profitable—even if you’re baking less.

I also touch on the mindset shift that helped me see summer slowdown not as a threat, but as a gift: a chance to slow down on purpose and adjust with clarity.

I talk through what I’m cutting back on, what I’m doubling down on (hello, sandwich bread and focaccia), and how I'm keeping my bake days strategic, flexible, and light. Whether you’re looking to simplify your schedule, try summer workshops, or reduce overwhelm without losing income, this episode is full of ideas to help you work smarter and more sustainably.

If you’ve been wondering how to navigate the summer season without burnout, this conversation will give you the clarity and encouragement you need to move forward with intention.

Resources:

• Enrollment The Bread Winner Inner Circle is opening again on May 29! It'll fill fast! Join the waitlist to be the first to know when it opens! www.carolinebower.com/innercirclewaitlist
• Join the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetwork
• Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdough
• Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/links
• Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://www.carolinebower.com/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery!