Lauri Lee & Bob Stafford live in Surprise, AZ and sell low-sodium spices and seasonings with their food business, Lauri Lee’s.

Back when Lauri Lee invented her low-sodium seasonings, she had no intentions of selling them, but soon many friends and family were asking for them as well.

So in 2023, Lauri Lee and Bob took a big leap of faith and pursued this business as their only source of income, and in just the past two and a half years, they’ve already sold over 20,000 containers of their seasonings!

In this episode, Lauri Lee & Bob share the strategies they’ve used to continue scaling their business by becoming a major presence at markets, adding wholesale accounts, switching to a co-packer, and more.

• Start with a Need, Grow with Passion: Lauri Lee’s low-sodium seasonings were born out of a real health challenge, Bob’s need to cut back on salt. What started as a way to bring flavor back to their own table quickly became a business when friends and family kept asking for more. Their story is a reminder that the best products often come from solving your own problems. If you’re passionate about your creation, others will be too!
• Stand Out at Markets with Branding & Community: From day one, Bob’s creative background helped them design eye-catching banners and a cohesive booth that made Lauri Lee’s stand out at every market. But it didn’t stop there. Lauri Lee’s live streams and genuine support for other vendors turned their booth into a community hub. Their tip? Don’t just sell, connect! Your brand is more than your product; it’s the experience you create.
• Embrace Growth & Don’t Fear the Next Step: After a year as a cottage food business, they took the leap to work with a co-packer, allowing them to expand beyond local markets and ship nationwide. It wasn’t always easy. Finding the right partners and letting go of some control was scary. But their willingness to learn, adapt, and trust the process helped them scale. If you’re feeling stuck, remember: growth means stepping out of your comfort zone!

Lauri Lee’s website (Instagram | Facebook | TikTok)

Arizona Cottage Food Law

A lot of entrepreneurs still think they need to spend money to get a good website, and that is simply not true anymore.

I created this free tutorial that will walk you through how to set up a totally free website on Square Online in less than an hour!

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/148

Soralla Gonzalez lives in Tampa Bay, FL and sells sourdough and other healthy baked goods with her cottage food business, Delicious Healthy Bakes.

Soralla started selling baked goods at the beginning of 2023 and initially thought that she’d focus on keto products, but struggled to find enough demand for them in her area. But one day she brought some sourdough bread to a market, and it sold out immediately.

She’s now switched over to selling mostly sourdough baked goods, but still has had many ups and downs in trying to find the right customers for her healthy baked items.

In this episode, Soralla shares how she has overcome struggles and has steadily grown her bakery by being resilient, implementing various marketing strategies, failing fast, and staying focused on her true passion.

• Embrace Change & “Fail Fast”: Soralla started out selling keto baked goods, but when she noticed sourdough bread was flying off the table, she pivoted fast! She’s tried everything from selling on Etsy to opening a pop-up shop in an Airstream, and isn’t afraid to move on when something doesn’t work. Her motto? “Done is better than perfect.” Don’t wait for perfect… try, learn, and keep moving!
• Consistent Marketing Equals Loyal Customers: In the early days, Soralla didn’t collect emails or focus on marketing. Once she started building her email list and posting regularly on Instagram, she saw more returning customers and steady growth. Even a simple “Where I’ll be this week” email keeps her top of mind. If you’re not building your list yet, start today!
• Stay True to Your Values & Be Resilient: Despite ups and downs (like slow markets or closing her Airstream shop), Soralla never compromises on her mission to offer healthy, gluten-free, and sugar-free treats. She reminds herself — and us — that “the only people who fail are the ones who quit.” Her positive mindset and gratitude keep her going, even on tough days.

Delicious Healthy Bakes website (Instagram | Facebook)

Pico Plus Commercial Oven

Episode 126 with Kristi Otto

Florida Cottage Food Law

Soralla Gonzalez is a member of Cottage Food Pro, a new membership created by host David Crabill.

Cottage Food Pro is still new and small, which makes it a great opportunity to get personalized feedback directly from David Crabill and other members like Soralla.

The membership includes monthly group calls, plus tutorials designed to grow your business without breaking the bank. Learn more at cottagefoodpro.com

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/147

Stacey Kimball sells alcohol-infused caramels and chocolates with her candy business, Bluebird Confections in Caldwell, ID.

Stacey started selling her caramels from home in 2013, expanded into a shared commercial kitchen in 2017, and then rebranded and moved into her own storefront in 2020 right before the pandemic hit.

In this episode, Stacey shares how she overcame challenges and found success by building relationships with her community and focusing on slow and consistent growth.

• Lean Into Your Strengths: Stacey initially sold cookies and cupcakes, but quickly realized her passion and her business’s unique edge was in making caramels and confections. By focusing on what she truly enjoyed and what set her apart, she built a brand that stands out at every market. Don’t be afraid to pivot! Find what you love and what makes your business special, then double down on it.
• Track What Sells and Let Data Guide You: In the early days, Stacey kept a simple handwritten list of what she brought to each market and what sold. This helped her spot trends like the popularity of assorted bags and make smarter decisions about what to make next. Even basic tracking can reveal powerful insights. Start small, but pay attention. Your best-sellers might surprise you!
• Build Real Relationships: Stacey credits much of her success to building genuine connections with customers, local businesses, and her community. She remembers regulars, collaborates with local distilleries, and even gets surprise visits from customers bringing flowers! People buy from people they trust. Invest in those relationships. They’re the heart of a thriving cottage food business.

Bluebird Confections website (Facebook| Instagram)

Idaho Cottage Food Law

A lot of entrepreneurs still think they need to spend money to get a good website, and that is simply not true anymore.

I created this free tutorial that will walk you through how to set up a totally free website on Square Online in less than an hour!

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/146

Amanda Sharp lives in McCalla, AL and sells sourdough bread and other baked goods with her cottage food business, The Little Bakery.

Amanda always wanted to open her own bakery, but couldn’t practically do so for health-related reasons.

During the pandemic, she discovered authentic sourdough, which got her baking and eating bread again, and in 2022, she finally fulfilled her lifelong dream of starting a bakery.

Within her first year of business, she became well-established at a market and often sold over $1k worth of baked goods each week.

But despite having a loyal customer base, she recently received heartbreaking news that changed everything, and forced her to pivot on the fly.

In this episode, Amanda shares how she built a very successful cottage food business and was able to adapt amidst adversity.

• Importance of Pricing Right from the Start: Amanda shared her experience of initially underpricing her sourdough loaves at $5, which barely covered costs. It was challenging, but she eventually had to increase her prices significantly to $10 or more to ensure her business was profitable. This change, while met with some resistance, ultimately helped her sustain and grow her business. Do your research and ensure your prices reflect the value and costs of your products right from the beginning.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Amanda’s journey is a testament to the power of flexibility. Despite investing heavily in her market presence, a sudden change at her main market forced her to find new selling avenues. Instead of giving up, she adapted by seeking out new markets and events, showing resilience in the face of adversity. Stay flexible and open to change. Challenges can lead to new opportunities if you remain adaptable.
• Personal Connection with Customers: Amanda emphasizes the importance of building personal connections with her customers. By sharing not just her products but also slices of her personal life on social media, she fostered a loyal customer base. She loves engaging with people at markets, which has been key to her success. People love buying from someone they feel connected to. Be genuine and share your story to build lasting relationships with your customers.

The Little Bakery (Instagram | Facebook)

Alabama Cottage Food Law

Simply Bread mixes technology and community to power the next generation of bakers. 

Baking is not just a hobby or a business; it’s one of the simplest things that brings us together as family and friends, cultures and communities, all around the globe.

The Simply Bread oven marries traditional baking techniques with cutting-edge technology.

Simply Bread aims to make the world’s highest-quality baking products accessible to everyone, and the oven’s versatility allows it to bake bread, desserts, and more.

You can bake up to 15 loaves in 40 minutes, use its programmable steam generation and manual steam release feature, control each of its three deck’s temperature individually, and connect it to WiFi to access data about your bakes. They have also designed a line of baking accessories, the perfect addition to anyone’s bakery.

If you’re looking to upgrade your baking game from beginner to professional, they simply have the right products for you. Simply Bread is a baker’s best friend.

To check them out, go to forrager.com/simplybread

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/145

Annie Wang lives in Oakland, CA and sells vegan Asian pastries with her food business, Little Moon Bakehouse.

Years ago, when Annie switched to eating vegan, she could no longer eat many of the Asian baked goods that she grew up with. She has now created vegan versions of many of those items from her childhood, and she’s built an impressive business around them!

Initially Annie started selling from home, but she eventually outgrew her home kitchen, expanded into a commercial space, and now ships her products across the country.

In this episode, Annie shares how she turned multiple passions of hers into a very successful hyper-niched and eco-friendly bakery by starting small, scaling up, and completing a massive rebrand.

• Start Even if It’s Not Perfect: Annie shared how she began her journey with Little Moon Bakehouse without having the perfect name or brand. Initially, she called her business Annie’s T Cakes. It wasn’t until three years later that she rebranded. This shows that you don’t need to have everything figured out to start. Just begin and refine as you go!
• Harness the Power of Email Marketing:  Annie emphasized the importance of staying in touch with her customers through email marketing. She shares that launching products via email first creates exclusivity and drives sales. If you’re not already using email marketing, it’s time to jump on board. Start small and watch your customer base grow!
• Maintain a Connection to Your Roots: Annie’s success lies in her ability to recreate vegan versions of nostalgic Asian baked goods. She tapped into memories and cultural significance, which resonated deeply with her customers. Think about what unique aspects of your story and heritage you can highlight in your business. This connection can set you apart and create a loyal customer base.

Little Moon Bakehouse website (Instagram | Facebook | KQED Article)

Kai Kwong (designer)

California Cottage Food Law

Are you building an email list for your business yet? If not, you really should be collecting customers’ email addresses and emailing them on a regular basis. Even these days, email continues to be better than social media for generating consistent sales, and the best part is that you own it. Once you build an email list, nobody can take it away from you.

I created this free tutorial that will walk you through the essentials of using Kit to build an email list and get more followers!

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/144

Ana Delgado lives in Wingdale, NY and sells caramel apples and other treats with her cottage food business, Apples & Jars.

Ana has an incredible business journey that has taken many turns. She started in 2017 and although her business was very successful, she became overwhelmed and took a break from baking.

Then she restarted her business out of a commercial kitchen, but while she was building that up, one day much of her life fell apart unexpectedly.

Determined not to quit, she restarted again from home, and has now become very successful without showing any signs of slowing down.

• Never Give Up, Even When Life Knocks You Down: Ana’s business journey faced many hurdles, from being overwhelmed to becoming homeless. Yet, she never gave up! Her resilience reminds us all that persistence is key. Keep pushing, no matter how tough it gets! 
• Adapt and Innovate: Initially, Ana’s business relied heavily on chocolate, but with her home processor permit, she pivoted to creating unique caramel apple flavors instead. Adapt your products to fit your circumstances — there’s always a way to stand out! 
• Find Your Tribe & Support Network: Ana found crucial support through Chef Amanda Schonberg’s entrepreneur community, which breathed new life into her business. Seeking out mentors and communities can provide the guidance and motivation you need to thrive!

Apple & Jars website (Instagram | Facebook)

Ana’s Stan Store (Top Tools For Sweet Success)

Episode 80 with Chef Amanda Schonberg

New York Cottage Food Law

Chef Amanda Schonberg’s starter course will help you make extra money by adding digital products to your business, just like Ana has done.

More and more bakers are finding ways to earn additional revenue outside of the kitchen, so what’s stopping you?

Let this be the year that you start to earn extra income and have success the digital way.

To learn more about Amanda’s course, go to forrager.com/digital

Chef Amanda Schonberg’s entrepreneur community stands out as truly exceptional.

It offers a powerful combination of community, valuable content, and personalized coaching.

To learn more about Amanda’s community, go to http://forrager.com/amanda

Next year, in the spring of 2026, get ready for CottageFoodieCon — the first ever, in-person, nationwide cottage food conference!

The conference will be located in one of the most active cottage food hubs in the country, and it will be hosted by The Cottage Foodie and My Custom Bakes.

It will have everything that you’d want in a conference: keynotes, classes, vendors, panels, food, and most importantly, the opportunity to connect with cottage food entrepreneurs around the nation!

To learn more about the conference and to get email updates when registration opens, go to cottagefoodiecon.com

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/143

Georgi DeCosta lives in Kaneohe, HI and sells banana breads and bundt cakes with her cottage food business, Georgi’s Goodies.

Georgi has been through some incredibly dark times in her life. Over 25 years ago, she recovered from a dangerous addiction to meth and heroin, and more recently during the pandemic, she dealt with very serious depression.

She never expected to end up in the food industry, but she found that baking provided her with a much-needed reprieve from her depression.

With the help of her boyfriend, she’s turned her baking therapy into a legitimate cottage food bakery, and now sells close to $1,000 of baked goods at her markets.

But Georgi’s story is less about making money, and more about finding purpose when facing adversity.

• Turning Passion into Purpose: Georgi’s journey into baking started as a way to find purpose during a tough time. She turned her love for baking into a thriving business, proving that passion can lead to success. So if you’re feeling stuck, find something you love and let it drive you forward!
• Starting Small and Scaling Up: Georgi advises starting small with what you love and do well. She began with her famous banana bread and bundt cakes, gradually expanding her product line as she gained confidence and customers. Start with your best recipes and let your business grow organically. 
• Building and Leaning on Your Community: From getting help when her stove broke down to loyal customers who return week after week, Georgi’s story underscores the importance of community. Engaging authentically with your audience can create a support system that helps your business thrive. 

Georgi’s Goodies Linktree (Instagram | Facebook | Civil Beat Article)

Hawaii Cottage Bakers & Treat Makers (Facebook Group)

Hawaii Cottage Food Law

Are you building an email list for your business yet? If not, you really should be collecting customers’ email addresses and emailing them on a regular basis. Even these days, email continues to be better than social media for generating consistent sales, and the best part is that you own it. Once you build an email list, nobody can take it away from you.

I created this free tutorial that will walk you through the essentials of using Kit to build an email list and get more followers!

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/142

Rita Magalde sells baklava and other baked goods with her bakery, Sheer Ambrosia, in Salt Lake City, UT.

Rita started her bakery from home back in 2008, and still retains a wholesale account that she acquired in her first year in business.

But while some things have been consistent, most haven’t. Her roller coaster business journey includes big risks, life changes, and many surprises.

Rita calls Sheer Ambrosia her third child, and although it hasn’t been easy, she has now built it into a national brand and is confident it will become a multi-million dollar business.

• How Rita’s business saved her from a very dark time in her life
• What to consider when transitioning from a home kitchen to a commercial space
• Why your business should not look like it’s home-based
• The importance of being honest in your business endeavors
• Why it’s essential to align your business with your passion
• The difference between clients and customers
• How to offer exceptional customer service
• The mindset you need to have to set your business up for success
• The importance of continuously adapting your business to meet customers’ needs
• The sales method that gets you the best of both retail and wholesale

Sheer Ambrosia website (Instagram | Facebook)

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

Utah Cottage Food Law

The Cottage Foodie is an online directory that will expand your customer base and connect you with food enthusiasts not only across your own state, but around the country as well. It’s the go-to resource for consumers everywhere seeking unique, locally-made treats.

The founder, Matt Rosen, was on Episode 133 and shared that he was inspired to start The Cottage Foodie to help other bakers fulfill their dreams.

By joining The Cottage Foodie, you’ll also get to connect and network with an exclusive community of Cottage Food Producers who are passionate about running their food businesses from the comfort of home.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to showcase your talents and grow your cottage food business!

To join The Cottage Foodie and learn more, go to forrager.com/cottagefoodie

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/141

Michelle Chesser lives in Millersville, MO and sells cinnamon rolls and other baked goods with her home food business, Home Sweet Home Bakery.

Michelle started her cottage bakery 16 years ago when she was living in a mobile home trailer and homeschooling her four young kids. She started very small and steadily grew her business until it became so successful that she had to intentionally scale back multiple times.

She now has a commercial kitchen built into her home and sells thousands of baked goods each year. But that’s not all: she also has a separate, very popular lemonade business in the summertime, a weekly catering gig, and a coaching business where she helps other food entrepreneurs build their bakeries.

She is well known online as the Home Sweet Home Baker and now has over 180,000 followers on Instagram. Rest assured, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

• That you can be successful with your cottage food business no matter how small your kitchen is
• What to do when you face obstacles in your business
• The mindset you need to have to be a successful home baker
• How to make yourself more productive when you have too much on your plate
• How to increase the chances that someone will buy from you
• Tips for growing your social media presence
• The trap of chasing every dollar and what to focus on instead
• How to get your kids involved in your business
• A side-hustle that can get you through a summer slowdown
• When to start hiring help, and how it can transform your business
• How to grow through life’s seasons while staying true to your vision

Home Sweet Home Bakery website (Instagram | Facebook)

The Baker’s Library

Missouri Cottage Food Law

The Cottage Foodie is an online directory that will expand your customer base and connect you with food enthusiasts not only across your own state, but around the country as well. It’s the go-to resource for consumers everywhere seeking unique, locally-made treats.

The founder, Matt Rosen, was on Episode 133 and shared that he was inspired to start The Cottage Foodie to help other bakers fulfill their dreams.

By joining The Cottage Foodie, you’ll also get to connect and network with an exclusive community of Cottage Food Producers who are passionate about running their food businesses from the comfort of home.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to showcase your talents and grow your cottage food business!

To join The Cottage Foodie and learn more, go to forrager.com/cottagefoodie

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/140

Chris Martin lives in Charlottesville, VA and sells Latin American baked goods with her cottage food business, bakernobakery.

Chris has been selling baked goods since she was in high school, which led her to culinary school and eventually working for some of the best chefs in the country.

While working at a high-end hotel and restaurant, she started selling her own French pastries on the side just for fun, and they eventually became so popular that she quit her career in fine dining to focus solely on her cottage food bakery.

But a couple of years later, when her business was booming, she completely pivoted to selling Latin American baked goods instead. In many ways she had to start over, but after only a year or two, she was able to rebuild her business back to the same level as before.

In this episode, Chris shares how she used grants to raise money for her bakery, how she built a dream kitchen in her basement, and many of the ups and downs in her business journey.

• How Chris landed jobs at three different Michelin 3-star restaurants
• Techniques in fine dining kitchens that Chris has applied to her home bakery
• Why Chris decided to leave her prestigious career to pursue a cottage food business
• How Chris runs her closed loop farm to keep her business very sustainable
• About Chris’ incredible commercial equipment setup in her basement
• How to apply for grants to get money to invest in your business
• How to attract returning customers at different events during the same weekend
• Why Chris abandoned her very successful products and pivoted to a brand new menu

bakernobakery website (Instagram | TikTok | Bio Site)

Virginia Home Food Processing Law

A lot of entrepreneurs still think they need to spend money to get a good website, and that is simply not true anymore.

I created this free tutorial that will walk you through how to set up a totally free website on Square Online in less than an hour!

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/139