This episode is a behind-the-scenes peek at my very first week in the new commercial bakery space. I’m walking you through the move from home to brick-and-mortar—what led me to take this leap, how it felt to lock the bakery door behind me for the first time, and what’s already changing in my business. I’m talking about what worked, what didn’t, and what I’m learning in real time—because it’s not all smooth sailing, but it’s worth it.

Whether you’re dreaming of a commercial kitchen someday or happily working from your home, there’s something in this episode for you. I share everything from oven choices to mindset shifts, and how this space is already shifting the way I serve my customers and my family. You’ll hear my honest reflections and some practical takeaways—plus encouragement if you're wondering whether a move like this could be in your future, too.

Resources:

• Join The Bread Winner Network: https://carolinebower.thrivecart.com/bread-winner-network/ – Monthly membership for sourdough bakers.
• Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator
• 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! 

October was a full and fulfilling month in my bakery—one that reminded me why slowing down to reflect is just as important as pushing forward. In this month’s business recap, I’m sharing what worked well, what didn’t, and the lessons I’m taking into the busy holiday season ahead. From product wins like my new English muffin loaf to the experiments that didn’t go as planned (hello, caramel mishaps), I walk through the highlights and honest moments that shaped the month. I also break down my October revenue, the systems that helped everything flow more smoothly, and the small tweaks that made a big difference.

More than anything, this reflection is a reminder that growth happens when we pause to learn from our own process. I’m diving into how consistency pays off, how to know which “balls” to keep in the air, and how to stay grounded during a season of transition. Whether you’re running your bakery from home or preparing for your next big step, this recap is packed with lessons, numbers, and insights you can apply to your own business journey.

Resources:

• Join The Bread Winner Network: https://carolinebower.thrivecart.com/bread-winner-network/ – Monthly membership for sourdough bakers.
• Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator
• 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 final episode of my three-part series on sourdough markets, we’re diving into one of my favorite parts—booth setup and presentation. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by market prep or unsure how to stand out, this episode is packed with practical tips that will help you show up with confidence and clarity. From choosing the right tablecloth to positioning your signs, I’ll walk you through what’s worked for me, what hasn’t, and how to create a welcoming space that draws people in without shouting for attention.

We’ll also talk about how your presence—not just your product—can make all the difference. You’ll learn how to connect with customers without being pushy, create a consistent look and feel for your booth, and build trust with your market community. Whether you’re brand new to vendor events or looking to elevate your current setup, this episode will help you turn browsers into buyers and keep them coming back week after week.

Resources:

• Join The Bread Winner Network: https://carolinebower.thrivecart.com/bread-winner-network/ – Monthly membership for sourdough bakers.
• Shop Caroline’s farmer’s market essentials at Amazon: https://rivr.link/0bw-L3k4Cw
• Grab my Farmers Market Checklist here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/marketchecklist
• Episode 16 – “Why Every Baker Needs a List (and How to Build One)” – Learn how to grow and nurture your bakery’s list. - https://open.spotify.com/episode/71ie78EAbQsRSK1Yq72xmE?si=2c00c68c55b748ba
• Sign up for Square here: https://squareup.com/i/BREADWINCB
• Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator
• 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! 

Join the Holiday Accelerator HERE! http://www.carolinebower.com/holidayaccelerator

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most common questions I get from sourdough microbakery owners — how do you prepare for a market without burning out? This is Part 2 of my Market Series, where I’m breaking down the planning, scheduling, and decision-making that go into a smooth, successful market week. I’m sharing how I organize my week from dough prep to packaging, what I’ve learned about finding balance between capacity and demand, and the simple systems that keep baking days productive but still peaceful.

If you’ve ever wondered how much to bring, how to plan your baking schedule, or how to keep your energy up while still hitting your revenue goals, this conversation will help you find your rhythm. I’ll walk through how I decide what to bake, the importance of staples versus seasonal items, and the real numbers and systems behind a streamlined market prep. Whether you’re brand new to markets or ready to refine your process, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to approach your next market week with a plan that works for you — not one that leaves you exhausted.

Resources:

• Get my FREE Market Checklist here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/marketchecklist
• Shop Caroline’s farmer’s market essentials at Amazon: https://rivr.link/0bw-L3k4Cw
• Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator
• 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! 

Join the Holiday Accelerator HERE! http://www.carolinebower.com/holidayaccelerator

In this episode, I’m diving into one of my favorite topics—farmers markets and vendor events—and how they can completely transform your sourdough microbakery. After two years of selling at the same local market, I’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and how to find a market that actually supports your goals, not just fills your weekends. Whether you’re brand new or ready to level up, this episode will help you identify which markets are worth your time and how to use them to build lasting customer relationships and a thriving, local presence.

I also share practical advice on what to look for in market management, how to assess customer traffic, and why consistency matters more than fancy displays. From handling competition with other bakers to getting new customers through word-of-mouth and social media, you’ll walk away with clear strategies to help you show up confidently, sell sustainably, and make your market days smoother, more profitable, and more fun.

Resources:

• Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator
• 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! 

Join the Holiday Accelerator HERE! http://www.carolinebower.com/holidayaccelerator

This time of year can get overwhelming fast—but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, I’m sharing the mindset shifts and simple strategies I’m using right now to set up a strong and sustainable Q4 in my sourdough microbakery. Whether you’re prepping for pop-ups, markets, or pre-orders, I walk you through how to say “yes” like a CEO, protect your energy, and plan ahead so the holidays feel fulfilling instead of frantic.

From early ingredient prep and freezer stocking to menu planning and creating white space in your calendar, I’m giving you a peek behind the curtain of how I’m approaching this busy season differently. You’ll also hear about the upcoming Holiday Accelerator—a live virtual planning event designed to help you reset, regroup, and walk into November and December with confidence. If you want to hit your goals without burning out, this episode is for you.

Resources:

• Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator
• 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! 

This month-in-review is a real behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep a sourdough microbakery going strong through a full season of life. Between homeschooling, baking at home, prepping for a brick-and-mortar space, and managing two markets plus a popup and a workshop, it’s been a big month. I’m breaking down exactly where my revenue came from, what worked well, and what I’d do differently. I’ll also share why adding one simple new revenue stream made such a difference — and how you can do the same, even as a home baker.

I’m also getting real about where I hit capacity. From trying to do everything myself (again) to learning the hard way that help makes a huge difference, I’m pulling back the curtain on both the numbers and the realities behind them. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the thick of it, this episode will help you reflect on your own business rhythms, consider new ways to simplify or expand, and hopefully walk away with a few ideas you can put into action this week.

Resources:

• Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator
• 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! 

I’m pulling back the curtain today for a very real and honest conversation about burnout. In this season of my life and business, I’ve been stretched thin and I can feel the warning signs creeping in—low energy, decision fatigue, and losing joy in the very things that once excited me. Instead of muscling through, I’ve been practicing what I teach: slowing down, setting boundaries, and building systems that protect my time, my family, and my love for baking. In this episode, I’m sharing what that looks like for me right now and why it matters for the longevity of your microbakery too.

This isn’t just theory—it’s practical, actionable advice from someone walking through it in real time. I’ll guide you through a simple self-audit you can use to spot burnout early, protect your energy, and take small, doable steps to restore your joy before you hit the wall. If you’ve been feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or on the edge of burnout, this conversation will make you feel less alone and give you tangible ways to keep your business healthy, sustainable, and aligned with the life you want to live.

Resources:

• Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator
• 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! 

This week I’m digging into a topic that has made a huge difference in how I run my bakery: scarcity. But not in a manipulative or high-pressure way—we’re talking about how to use natural limits to create more clarity, consistency, and ease in your microbakery. If you’ve ever sold out, scrambled to keep up with custom requests, or felt unsure about how to set boundaries, this episode is packed with encouragement and practical tips to help you take back control of your time and ordering process.

I’ll walk you through what scarcity really looks like in a microbakery (hint: you already have it), the common mistakes I see bakers make, and exactly how to set clear limits in a way that serves both you and your customers. You'll hear how to gently teach your audience to order early, use strategic language to create urgency, and protect your energy while still showing up professionally. This is a must-listen if you’re ready to sell out with less stress and more confidence.

Resources:

• Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator
• 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! 

It’s hard to believe we’ve made it to episode 100 of the Bread Winner Podcast. What a journey it's been—over a year of showing up weekly to help you build a thriving sourdough microbakery that supports your life, your family, and your financial goals. I’m so thankful you’re here. In today’s episode, we’re diving into Part 2 of the strategy to pay yourself $1,000 per month from your bakery. This is a simple, scalable formula that works whether you’re just getting started or looking to grow toward a full-time income. If you missed Part 1 in episode 98, you’ll want to go back and listen to that one first—we laid the foundation by walking through product costs and pricing for profit.

Now we’re moving into the practical and strategic steps to reverse-engineer your revenue goal. We’ll look at how to break your monthly target into weekly goals, map out your product mix, and use systems (like my profit and pricing calculator) to take the guesswork out of your numbers. I’ll also share how I plan for my own market weeks, how to use pricing data to create more freedom in your schedule, and how to ensure you’re not just baking more—but baking smarter. This strategy has been a game changer for me and so many others in the Bread Winner Inner Circle, and I can’t wait to see what it unlocks for you.

Resources:

• Get the Profit First Book here: https://rivr.link/0bw-CgvrFX
• Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator
• 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!