In this episode of The Breadwinner Podcast, we’re kicking off the new year by zooming out and looking at the big picture. January is naturally a slower month for many bakers, and that gives us the chance to pause, breathe, and plan intentionally. But instead of building rigid calendars that break under pressure, I’m sharing a simpler approach—one that’s flexible, supportive, and rooted in how sourdough microbakeries actually run. This method will help you create a container for the year made up of four practical parts: non-negotiables, seasonal anchors, monthly rhythms, and decision rules.

If planning the whole year feels overwhelming or unrealistic, you’re not alone. Most of us don’t struggle because we’re unmotivated—we struggle because traditional planning doesn’t match the realities of dough, life, and all the hats we wear. So I’ll walk you through how to clarify what matters most, protect your time and energy, and make better decisions with way less effort. This episode is your invitation to build consistency without rigidity and start the year with intention, not exhaustion.

Resources:

1. Join the Bread Winner Inner Circle: CarolineBower.com/innercircle
2. Join The Bread Winner Network: https://carolinebower.thrivecart.com/bread-winner-network/ – Monthly membership for sourdough bakers.
3. Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator
4. Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdough
5. Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/links
6. 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!

Welcome to the very first episode of 2026! I’m so excited to be back behind the mic and kicking off the year with you. In this episode, I’m reflecting on the wins, challenges, and lessons from December—both the bakery numbers and the personal growth behind them. This isn't just about product sales or planning menus (though we cover plenty of that too); it's about how we move forward with intention, clarity, and the long game in mind. I talk about how I approached Christmas sales, the surprising trends I noticed in product popularity, and the small changes I’m making to reduce burnout and streamline systems in this next season.

I also share four powerful questions you can use to review your own busy season, plus some honest thoughts on where I’m simplifying my menu and growing my support team. If you’re feeling like you’re constantly reinventing the wheel or stretched thin after the holidays, I hope this episode helps you reset and refocus. We’re not just baking bread—we’re building something sustainable, meaningful, and aligned with our values. Let’s start 2026 off with more clarity, less hustle, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Resources:

1. Join the Bread Winner Inner Circle: CarolineBower.com/innercircle
2. Join The Bread Winner Network: https://carolinebower.thrivecart.com/bread-winner-network/ – Monthly membership for sourdough bakers.
3. Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator
4. Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdough
5. Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/links
6. 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!

Hello my friend, and welcome to the final episode of 2025. This isn’t a traditional year-in-review episode—it’s more of an invitation to pause, to breathe, and to remember that the work you’re doing in your sourdough microbakery is building something far bigger than weekly sales or Instagram posts. In this slower-paced reflection, I share five intentional questions that I hope will help you zoom out and really honor all that 2025 asked of you. These questions aren’t about vanity metrics or highlight reels. They’re about legacy—the quiet, meaningful kind that shows up in school lunches, family dinners, and the way your community shops for real food.

This episode is a gentle nudge to reflect on where you’ve been, what you’ve learned, and how you want to move forward. Before we rush into planning and goal setting for 2026, I hope you’ll sit with these questions and allow them to shape your vision. I also share a heartfelt invitation to join the Breadwinner Inner Circle as doors open once again. Whether you’ve been listening since the beginning or just found your way here, I want you to know that what you’re building matters—and that I’m so honored to be building alongside you.

Resources:

• Join the Bread Winner Inner Circle: https://carolinebower.thrivecart.com/breadwinnerinnercircle/
• 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! 

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have an assistant in your microbakery—or if you’re feeling overwhelmed and know you need help but don’t know where to start—this episode is for you. I’m chatting with Melissa, my former assistant, about what it really looks like to bring someone into your space, how to know you’re ready, and what tasks you can delegate to lighten your load without sacrificing quality.

We dive into hiring mindset shifts, the value of a working interview, and what it means to create a business that’s sustainable for the long haul. Whether you’re considering a seasonal helper for the holidays or thinking about more long-term support, this conversation is full of insights to help you build a bakery that doesn’t burn you out.

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! 

November was one of the wildest months I’ve ever walked through, and in this episode, I’m inviting you behind the scenes to hear the full recap—what worked, what didn’t, and what I’m carrying forward into December. This was the month I made the big move from my home bakery into a brick-and-mortar space, and it came with all the expected learning curves… and then some. From navigating a new oven and workflow quirks to managing Thanksgiving pre-orders and a soft opening, there was a lot to celebrate—and a lot to adjust.

I’ll share honest reflections on product trends, marketing lessons, and how I’m thinking differently about pacing, prepping, and planning ahead (especially when it comes to holidays and retail baking). If you’re in a season of transition or expansion, I hope this month-in-review encourages you to pause, reflect, and keep moving forward with intention. There’s beauty in the messy middle, and sometimes the best lessons come from the days that don’t go quite as planned.

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! 

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!