March was full of growth, challenges, and a few big steps forward in my business—and in this month-in-review episode, I’m bringing you behind the scenes. I’m sharing the rhythms that worked, the lessons I learned, and what I’d do differently next time. From two bustling markets and experimenting with individual cinnamon rolls, to juggling everything without an assistant (and why that’s about to change), I’m talking through what it really looks like to run a microbakery while preparing for something much bigger.

I also share updates on two huge projects: one that’s still in the works (hello, dream brick-and-mortar space) and another that’s officially here—the Breadwinner Summit! You’ll hear how I’m navigating this season of growth while protecting my energy and staying rooted in my mission. If you’ve ever found yourself operating at capacity or wondering how to keep growing without burning out, this episode is packed with real talk and encouragement from someone walking it with you.

Resources:

• Subscribe to my email list to find out more about the Bread Winner Summit! https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/newsletter
• 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! 
• Follow me on Instagram (@carolinebower_sourdough) for more microbakery tips! https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Whitney Ivy, founder of Southern Bread Company, homeschool mom, and microbakery owner, to talk about her incredible journey from health struggles to sourdough healing—and eventually building a business that serves her family and community. Whitney opens up about how her search for answers to chronic health issues led her to sourdough, a more ancestral way of eating, and ultimately to launching a thriving bakery business from her home in Mississippi.

We also dive into the mindset shifts Whitney had to make as her business grew—overcoming imposter syndrome, learning to embrace community over competition, and growing without going into debt. From scrappy beginnings with a beach umbrella at the farmer’s market to investing in a bread oven and launching Bread Academy workshops, Whitney shares her story with warmth, wisdom, and so much encouragement for fellow bakers.

Resources:

• Follow Whitney on Instagram: @southernbreadcompany
• Connect with Whitney on Facebook: Southern Bread Company
• 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! 

As microbakery owners, it’s easy to take everything personally—especially when a regular customer suddenly stops ordering. In this episode, I’m sharing a heartfelt and practical conversation that started inside my Inner Circle coaching group, all about learning to separate your personal identity from your business. This work is personal—handmade, heartfelt, and often built from your kitchen table—but it’s also a business. And learning how to protect your mindset is essential for long-term sustainability.

You’ll hear me talk about how to handle customers who “ghost” your bakery, how to shift your mindset so it doesn’t shake your confidence, and how to focus on what really matters—showing up, delivering a consistent experience, and nurturing the people who do show up. I also share real strategies for maintaining a sense of professionalism while still taking pride in what you do, so you can build a thriving bakery without burning out.

Resources:

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

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

Making sure your community knows you exist is one of the most important parts of growing a microbakery. In this episode, I sit down with Kayce from Trails End Breads & Blooms to talk about how she built an unforgettable presence in her town—without relying solely on social media. She shares how she went from baking for her family to launching a thriving home-based bakery, using smart marketing, pop-ups, and community connections to grow her customer base organically.

If you’ve ever wondered how to market your microbakery beyond your inner circle, how to get people talking about your business, or how to confidently put yourself out there, this episode is packed with practical strategies and real-life insights. Kayce shares her best tips for finding customers, leveraging pop-ups, and creating a brand that people remember.

Resources:

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

Collaborating with local businesses is one of the best ways to grow your microbakery, connect with your community, and create exciting new opportunities. In this episode, I’m sharing 10 creative ways to partner with other small businesses—from teaming up with coffee shops and florists to creating seasonal gift boxes and subscription services. These collaborations not only expand your customer base but also help you build meaningful relationships that support long-term business growth.

If you’ve ever wondered how to approach local businesses, what kinds of partnerships work best, or how to make collaborations a win-win, this episode is for you. I’ll walk through real-life examples, practical strategies, and tips for making your partnerships successful—so you can grow your bakery while strengthening the small business community around you.

Resources:

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

Balancing a thriving bakery business while homeschooling young children is no small feat, but Kelly Wolf of Gloria Grain Bread has found a way to make it work. In this episode, Kelly shares her journey from baking yeast breads for family gatherings to running a successful microbakery—all while transitioning to homeschooling. She talks about how she built her business from the ground up, the challenges of managing time and energy, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

If you’re a mom trying to juggle running a business and raising kids, this episode is for you. Kelly opens up about the mindset shifts that helped her embrace flexibility, the importance of setting realistic boundaries, and the joy of finding a rhythm that works for both her business and her family. Plus, she shares her best strategies for keeping little ones engaged while still getting work done in the kitchen.

 Resources & Links:

 Follow Kelly on Instagram (@GloriaGrainBread) →

https://www.instagram.com/gloriagrainbread

 Follow Caroline on Instagram (@carolinebower_sourdough) for Microbakery Tips! → https://www.instagram.com/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! 

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

Your energy is your most valuable business asset, and protecting it is the key to building a sustainable microbakery. In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I’m sharing the daily and weekly rhythms that have helped me create a thriving business without sacrificing my well-being. From essential non-negotiables like sleep, meals, and movement to structuring your workweek for better efficiency, these small but powerful changes will help you prevent burnout and keep your business running smoothly.

I’ll walk you through how I optimized my work hours, created better batch-working systems, and built simple lifestyle routines that reduce stress and free up mental space. Whether you’re struggling with exhaustion, feeling like your business is taking over your life, or just want to improve your workflow, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you reclaim your time and energy.

• Why your energy is your most valuable business currency.
• The three daily habits that should be non-negotiable for every microbakery owner.
• How to structure your weekly rhythms for better work-life balance.
• The power of batch-working and how to implement it in your business.
• The importance of taking a dedicated day off (and how to make it work for you).
• Small lifestyle shifts that will reduce stress and increase efficiency.

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

If you loved this episode, make sure to follow the show so you never miss a new one! Episodes drop every Monday and Thursday. Until next time, 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

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/

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

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!

• 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! 
• Follow me on Instagram (@carolinebower_sourdough) for more microbakery tips! 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

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

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