This episode is packed with inspiration, resilience, and the power of making big things happen in small spaces. I sit down with Angela De Krieger of Singing Trees Keep, a homesteader, microbakery owner, and educator, to talk about how she built a thriving business out of an 80-square-foot space in her home. Angela shares how she balances homesteading, sourdough baking, fermentation, and raising four kids—all while staying rooted in her mission to provide nourishing food for her community.

If you’ve ever felt like your space is too small or your circumstances too challenging to start your dream business, this episode will change your mindset. We talk about creative storage solutions, making sacrifices for big dreams, and the power of community support. Plus, we dive into the mental resilience it takes to grow a business—how to push through fear, shift your mindset, and embrace growth, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Resources:

• Follow Angela De Krieger (@SingingTreesKeep) on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/SingingTreesKeep
• Visit Angela’s Website (Singing Trees Keep) for Workshops & Offerings → https://www.singingtreeskeep.com/
• Follow Caroline on Instagram (@carolinebower_sourdough) for Microbakery Tips & Updates → https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough
• Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://mailchi.mp/thebluebirdbreadco/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery!

February was a month of growth, adjustments, and big decisions in my microbakery. In this episode, I’m reflecting on what worked well, what needed tweaking, and the lessons I’m carrying into March. From refining my market and porch pickup schedule to navigating sellouts and pricing adjustments, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes reality of running a home-based baking business. I’ll also dive into the big changes ahead, including hiring a new assistant, adjusting my financial tracking, and exploring new tools like Square for customer communication.

If you’ve ever struggled with scaling your microbakery while maintaining balance, this episode is for you. I break down the mindset shifts and practical strategies that are helping me grow without burning out. Plus, I share my February revenue numbers—because I believe in transparency and showing what’s possible when you build a profitable home bakery. Whether you’re fine-tuning your own schedule or looking for inspiration to make smart business decisions, there’s plenty to take away from this episode!

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

Caroline Bower Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough

Branding is so much more than just a logo—it's the personality and emotional connection behind your business. In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I'm joined by my friend and branding expert Nat Alves of NatMarieDesign, the mastermind behind my recent rebrand.

We dive into practical branding strategies for microbakery owners, including:

• What branding really means beyond just a logo.
• The essential elements of a strong, strategic brand.
• How to stand out in a saturated market—especially if you're DIYing your branding.
• Tips for making Canva work for you without looking like everyone else.
• The biggest marketing mistakes small business owners make (and how to avoid them).
• Why storytelling matters in branding—and how to weave yours into your visuals and messaging.
• Tools, templates, and resources to help make branding and marketing easier.

If you've ever struggled with branding your bakery in a way that feels polished, professional, and uniquely you—without breaking the bank—this episode is packed with insights you'll love.

📌 Resources Mentioned:

• Nat’s Free Branding Worksheet & a list of her favorite resources –https://natalie-alves.mykajabi.com/pl/2148649288
• Nat’s Social Club Course – A DIY branding & marketing course for small business owners, opening in June! Social Club Waitlist

Follow Nat Alves:

Instagram

LinkedIn

🎧 Loved this episode? Share it! Screenshot this episode, tag me (@CarolineBower_Sourdough) and Nat (@NatMarieDesign) on Instagram, and let us know your biggest takeaway!

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Bread Winner Podcast so you never miss an episode! New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday.

Happy branding & happy baking! 🥖✨

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Sunrise Flour Mill Organic Heritage Flour

I'm a HUGE fan of Sunrise Flour Mill both for speciality products in my microbakery as well as for my family! I know I'm maximizing the nutrition of everything I bake using Sunrise Flour!

20% off Sunrise Flour Mill

Pricing, bookkeeping, and tax prep aren’t exactly the most exciting parts of running a microbakery—but they are essential to building a profitable and sustainable business. In this episode, I sit down with Megan from Purple Elephant Group for a deep dive into bookkeeping, pricing strategies, and how to stay organized for tax season. Megan is a former bakery owner turned financial expert, and she’s here to break it all down in a way that’s practical, actionable, and easy to understand.

If you've ever wondered when to raise your prices, how to track your expenses, or whether it's time to hire a bookkeeper, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss. We also cover how to handle waste, account for donations, and avoid common financial mistakes that could be costing you money.

Links to things we talked about:

Free Small Business Expense Spreadsheet: https://www.purpleelephantgroup.com/bread-winner-subscribe

Check out Relay, an online bank to manage business cash flow: https://relayfi.com/

The CakeCost app to help ensure that you're pricing for profit: https://www.cakecost.net/

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Sunrise Flour Mill Organic Heritage Flour

My kids have been DEVOURING the banana bread that I've been making with the Heritage White Flour, and my customers are so excited about the 50/50 Whole Wheat Heritage that I've added to my menu using the Heritage Whole Wheat Flour!

20% off Sunrise Flour Mill

Balancing a growing microbakery with motherhood is no small task, and in this episode, I sit down with Melissa Crow of Crow’s Dough to work through the challenges that come with rapid business growth. Melissa shares how her bakery expanded faster than expected, leading to long bake days, a need for better equipment, and the struggle to juggle it all while raising three little ones. Together, we troubleshoot ways to streamline her workflow, adjust her schedule, and set boundaries that support both her business and her family.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your bakery’s success, struggled with time management, or wondered how to make growth more sustainable, this episode is for you. We discuss everything from scheduling dough prep around nap times to smart investments in equipment that will save time and energy.

Keeping customers coming back is one of the most powerful ways to build a sustainable microbakery. In this episode, I dive into why repeat customers are a goldmine for your business and how focusing on retention can save you time, energy, and stress. We’ll talk about simple ways to create a great first experience, communicate clearly, and make customers feel valued—so they don’t just buy from you once, but again and again.

If you feel like you’re constantly chasing new customers, this episode is for you. I’ll share easy-to-implement strategies to increase repeat orders, from small thoughtful touches to simple loyalty perks. Plus, I’ll walk you through how to track your top customers and keep them engaged, so your business grows organically with less effort.

Letting go of a product from your menu can feel personal, especially when you've put time and heart into it. But sometimes, a product just isn't working—whether it's inefficient, rarely ordered, or something you simply don’t enjoy making. In this episode, I walk you through how to recognize when it’s time to remove a product, how to make the decision without guilt, and how to communicate the change with your customers in a way that keeps your business running smoothly.

If you’ve ever dreaded seeing a certain item on your order list or found yourself procrastinating when it comes time to bake it, this episode is for you. I’ll share the signs that a product no longer belongs on your menu, strategies for phasing it out, and simple scripts to help you communicate the change with confidence. Let’s make space for what actually works and create a business that feels good to run!

Customer service challenges are inevitable in any business, but handling them with confidence, kindness, and clarity can turn a difficult situation into a positive customer experience. In this episode, I share real-life examples and go-to scripts for the most common customer interactions, from late pickups to discount requests and handling complaints. I’ll walk you through exactly how to set boundaries while maintaining professionalism, ensuring that your microbakery thrives without unnecessary stress.

If you’ve ever struggled with what to say when a customer is unhappy, requests a special order you don’t offer, or expects a discount, this episode will give you practical, ready-to-use responses. Plus, I’ve put together a free PDF with scripts to help you navigate these situations with ease. Grab a list of 11 simple, professional customer service scripts here: https://mailchi.mp/carolinebower/episode59

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Sunrise Flour Mill Organic Heritage Flour

My kids have been DEVOURING the banana bread that I've been making with the Heritage White Flour, and my customers are so excited about the 50/50 Whole Wheat Heritage that I've added to my menu using the Heritage Whole Wheat Flour!

20% off Sunrise Flour Mill

Ever wondered what it takes to thrive at a farmers' market—not just as a vendor, but as an organizer? In this episode, I sit down with Ashley , the mastermind behind the market where I sell every two weeks, to get a behind-the-scenes look at what makes a successful market and how vendors can set themselves up for long-term success.

Ashley shares her journey from planning a wedding venue to running a thriving market, the challenges she faced in the early days (including flaky vendors and last-minute cancellations), and why consistency is key for vendors looking to build a loyal customer base.

We dive into:

✔️ What market organizers look for in vendor applications

✔️ The biggest mistakes vendors make (and how to avoid them)

✔️ Why Ashley strategically places competitors next to each other at the market

✔️ How to know if a market is the right fit for your business

✔️ Advice for vendors who are hesitant to start selling at markets

If you're a microbakery owner looking to break into local markets—or even thinking about starting your own—this episode is packed with practical advice to help you make the most of every market day.

Connect with Ashley and get inspired by Bulverde Market Day:

Instagram: @bulverde_market_day

Website: bulverdemarketday.com

Links to things you might like:

Download my free market checklist: https://mailchi.mp/thebluebirdbreadco/marketchecklist

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

Caroline Bower Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough

I'm a HUGE fan of Sunrise Flour Mill both for speciality products in my microbakery as well as for my family! I know I'm maximizing the nutrition of everything I bake using Sunrise Flour! Get 20% off of your order of Sunrise Flour! https://thebreadwinner.captivate.fm/ytsunrise20

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Sunrise Flour Mill Organic Heritage Flour

I'm a HUGE fan of Sunrise Flour Mill both for speciality products in my microbakery as well as for my family! I know I'm maximizing the nutrition of everything I bake using Sunrise Flour!

20% off Sunrise Flour Mill

Welcome back to The Bread Winner Podcast! In this episode, I’m reflecting on January—what went well, what didn’t, and the lessons I’m carrying forward into February for my in-home sourdough microbakery. This month brought some big changes to my baking schedule, unexpected learning moments, and valuable insights into optimizing my business for growth.

I dive into:

• My new market and porch pickup schedule and how it’s helping me streamline my workload.
• A few humbling baking mishaps (hello, overproofed sandwich loaves and salt-less focaccia) and what I’m doing to prevent them in the future.
• How preorders at the market have been going.
• Experimenting with new products like pizza crusts and brownies—and how I decide what stays on the menu.
• The power of delegation and how my assistant is saving me time and stress.
• Tracking my working hours to get a realistic view of my time investment in the bakery.
• The importance of improving systems to avoid repeated mistakes and keep scaling sustainably.

Plus, I’m sharing some February plans, including increasing variety at markets, strengthening community connections, and creating better work-life boundaries.

I'd love to hear from you—what lessons did you learn in January? Screenshot this episode and tag me on Instagram with your biggest takeaway, and you might just get a coffee on me!

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show. Your support helps The Bread Winner Podcast reach more microbakery owners like you!

Watch this episode on YouTube:

Links you might need:

Grab my Recipe Calculator Spreadsheet: https://stan.store/Carolinebower_sourdough/p/get-my-recipe-calculator-spreadsheet-now

Find links to all of my favorite everyday products, including dough bins and starter containers: carolinebower.com/links

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

Caroline Bower Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Sunrise Flour Mill Organic Heritage Flour

I'm a HUGE fan of Sunrise Flour Mill both for speciality products in my microbakery as well as for my family! I know I'm maximizing the nutrition of everything I bake using Sunrise Flour!

20% off Sunrise Flour Mill