Katie Sacoman of Albuquerque, NM sells many types of baked goods with her business, Sweet Pea Bakery.

Katie never expected to be running her own business, but after having her daughter, she realized that she didn’t want to go back to her former career. She started decorating sugar cookies for fun, and pretty soon family and friends started ordering them for events.

As she built her business, she eventually became overwhelmed with the number of custom orders she was getting, so she transitioned to selling more traditional baked goods at markets. And then when that became overwhelming, she transitioned again to a commercial kitchen so she could produce more and sell wholesale.

In this episode, Katie shares how she transitioned from custom orders to markets to wholesale by remaining adaptable and embracing the messiness that inevitably comes with growing your own business.

• Stay adaptable and open-handed: Katie’s business evolved from custom sugar cookies to markets and wholesale. Each shift came from paying attention to what worked and being willing to pivot when needed. Her story is a powerful reminder that flexibility is your biggest advantage.
• Let community shape your business: From advocating to change Albuquerque’s cottage food restrictions to donating a portion of profits to local schools, Katie built Sweet Pea Bakery around connection and service. Her approach shows how small home-based food businesses can make a big impact locally.
• Create boundaries that protect your joy: Katie’s been candid about the challenges of burnout especially when your kitchen doubles as your workspace. She shares how taking time off, hiring help, and separating “home” from “work” helped her keep the joy in baking.

Sweet Pea Bakery website (Instagram | Facebook)

New Mexico 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/154

Alina Eisenhauer lives in Worcester, MA and helps coach cottage food entrepreneurs with her business, Cottage Baking Success Academy.

Alina started her first baking business way back in 2003 when she was 6 months pregnant. A couple of years later, she expanded into her first storefront, and then kept expanding the idea until she had a full-blown restaurant with 40 employees.

She has competed in many cooking competitions on national TV, has been featured in many books, and has consulted for major restaurants. Eventually she shifted her focus to coaching, first to help people with gluten-free cooking, and now to help cottage food entrepreneurs too.

In this episode, she shares many of the lessons she learned, including avoiding burnout, becoming profitable, and leveraging productive business systems.

• Start Small and Stay Sustainable: Alina learned firsthand that “bigger isn’t always better.” Even after building a 5,000 sq. ft. bakery with 40 employees, she realized that home-based businesses often have better margins and less stress. Her advice? Focus on what fits your lifestyle before chasing scale.
• Systems = Freedom: Burnout hits fast when everything lives in your head. Alina swears by simple systems — production schedules, recipe organization, and batching tasks across days. “You shouldn’t be mixing, baking, and packaging all in one day!” she says. Structure = sanity.
• Build Relationships (and an Email List!): “Start collecting emails yesterday,” Alina jokes — because staying top-of-mind turns one-time buyers into loyal fans. Whether through a notebook at your market table or a quick signup link, nurturing your list keeps your community coming back for more.

Chef Alina website (Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Classes)

Ultimate Cottage Baking Checklist Pack

Cottage Baking Success Academy (use coupon code “forrager” for 10% off)

Gluten-Free Baking Bootcamp

Facebook Groups:

• Gluten Free Baking Secrets, Tips & Tricks with Chef Alina
• Cottage Baking Success Academy

Episode 150 (features Alina)

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/153

This is Part 2 of Lisa He’s interview. You can listen to Part 1 on Episode 151.

Lisa He lives in Orlando, FL and now runs multiple businesses, including Borderlands Bakery where she sells custom-decorated cookies and cookie decorating supplies. She also has an online course business called Baking with Borderlands, and a software business for cottage bakers called My Custom Bakes.

Her Instagram page for Borderlands Bakery now has over 175k followers, and she is one of the top influencers not just in the cookie decorating world, but now in the cottage food industry as a whole.

In the last episode, Lisa shared how she started and grew her cottage food bakery into a massive success.

And in this episode, she shares how she turned that success into multiple businesses that help support other cottage food bakers.

Just like the last episode, this one is also filled with tons of helpful business advice, including many social media strategies.

• Authenticity builds real connection: Lisa grew her 175K+ following by showing up as herself, sharing her wins, struggles, and process. She reminded us that people can sense when you are being real, and that’s what keeps customers coming back for more. Be genuine. Be you. That is your secret ingredient.
• Consistency beats perfection: Whether you are posting stories every day or just a couple of reels each week, consistency matters more than perfection. Lisa’s mix of educational videos, behind-the-scenes peeks, and packaging tips helped her attract loyal fans and repeat buyers. Small, steady steps build big results.
• Growth means being open to change: Lisa started with a cottage bakery and eventually launched My Custom Bakes to help other bakers streamline their orders. She showed that success is not about doing one thing forever but about solving problems, trusting your gut, and evolving as you grow.

My Custom Bakes (Instagram | FB Group)

Borderlands Bakery website (Blog | Shop | Instagram | Youtube | FB Group)

Post + Prosper: 100-Day Social Media Visibility Challenge for Creative Entrepreneurs

Lisa’s free classes on Amazon

Related episodes:

• Episode 151 (Part 1 of Lisa’s interview)
• Episode 150 (features Lisa)
• Episode 133 with Matt Rosen

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

Lisa will be co-hosting the conference and you should get your ticket now, since prices will be going up very soon.

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

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/152

Lisa He lives in Orlando, FL and now runs multiple businesses, including Borderlands Bakery where she sells custom-decorated cookies and cookie decorating supplies. She also has an online course business called Baking with Borderlands, and a software business for cottage bakers called My Custom Bakes.

Lisa’s journey began back in college when she started making custom-decorated cookies, a hobby that ultimately completely changed her life. Her cookie business quickly became quite successful, leading Lisa to appear on cooking shows on The Food Network and Netflix.

Her Instagram page for Borderlands Bakery now has over 175k followers, and she is one of the top influencers not just in the cookie decorating world, but now in the cottage food industry as a whole.

This episode is Part 1 of Lisa’s interview, where she shares how she started and grew her cottage food bakery into a massive success that not only led to many opportunities, but also some very serious consequences as well.

• Build skills and confidence, then raise your prices: Lisa started selling her decorated cookies for just $1.50 each. Over time, as she improved her craft, refined her brand, and built trust online, she confidently raised her prices to $100+ per dozen. Her reminder: your worth grows with your experience. Don’t be afraid to charge for it!
• Marketing isn’t magic, it’s consistency: Lisa spent years showing up every day, posting content, engaging with her audience, and giving out cookie samples at local shops. That consistency helped her turn a side hobby into a full-fledged business and brand.
• Protect your peace as much as your profit: In her early years, Lisa worked nonstop, baking after her 9–5 day job and staying up till 3am. It eventually led to burnout. Her advice today? Build your business around your life, not the other way around. Sustainable success beats fast success every time.

Borderlands Bakery website (Blog| Shop | Instagram | Youtube | FB Group)

My Custom Bakes (Instagram | FB Group)

Episode 150 (features Lisa)

California Cottage Food Law

Host David Crabill’s Cottage Food Pro membership is a great opportunity to get personalized feedback directly from David and other members.

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

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

Lisa will be co-hosting the conference and you should get your ticket now, since prices will be going up very soon.

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/151

In this special 150th episode of The Forrager Podcast, we hear from cottage food industry influencers!

The guests on this episode represent over 1.5 million followers across their top platforms! They’ve built communities on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and beyond, all in support of cottage food entrepreneurs.

On this episode, each guest shares a quick tip to help you start, grow, or strengthen your home food business.

The cottage food industry is thriving thanks in large part to individuals like these, who dedicate their time to teaching, supporting, and inspiring others.

This episode not only provides some of the very best advice for cottage food entrepreneurs, but also celebrates the many influencers who continue to help this industry grow!

• The Pink Crumbb website | Instagram | Facebook
• The Pink Crumbb VIP Membership
• Episode #113 & #114
• Tip: Don’t let fear stop you; do things your own way

• Cake Business School website | Podcast| Instagram | Facebook Group
• Book: Baking Your Way To The Top
• Cake Biz Bootcamp
• Tip: Believe your hobby can be a business

• Out of Home Baker website | Instagram | Facebook| Youtube
• Business School for Bakers
• Episode #83
• Tip: Just get started; don’t wait to be perfect

• Chef Alina website | Instagram| Facebook | Classes | Youtube
•  Cottage Baking Success Academy
•  Gluten Free Baking Boot Camp
• FB Group: Gluten Free Baking Secrets, Tips & Tricks with Chef Alina
• Tip: Build a cohesive brand; your display is your salesperson

• Cassie’s Country Cupboard website | Instagram
• FB Group: Ohio Cottage Food / Home Bakery License Producers
• Episode #64
• Tip: Find gaps in your market; offer something unique

• Colby Jack Rabbit website | Tiktok | Youtube|Instagram | Facebook
• Episode #107
• Tip: Use storytelling in your marketing

• Bakery Tee Co website| Instagram| Facebook
• FB Group: Cookie Society by Bakery Tee Co
• Episode #50
• Tip: Show your face; be local, real, and consistent on social media

• South Street Cookies website | Youtube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook
• Online Cookie Decorating Classes on Etsy
• Tip: Post consistent & simple YouTube videos; find your own format

• The Bake Fest website| Instagram | Facebook
• Baker Bosses
• Baking Basics Bootcamp
• Tip: Use AI for marketing, data, and business mentoring

• Joy-Full Bites website| Instagram | Facebook
• FB Group: Gourmet Cookie Creators: Recipes, Tips & Sweet Support
• FB Group: Cottage Food and Home Bakers: Advice, Tips, and More!
• Tip: Build and nurture an email list

• Baking for Business website | Stan Store
• Instagram| Facebook | Podcast
• Digital Product Community
• The Entrepreneur Community
• Episode #80
• Tip: Add digital products for extra revenue

• Home Sweet Home Baker website |Store| Instagram | Facebook
• The Baker’s Library
• How to Start a Home Bakery Course
• Episode #140
• Tip: Be consistent; be friendly & engaging with customers

• Little House Bread Co. website | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube
• Little House Bread Co. Stan Store
• Tip: Start small; set boundaries; grow sustainably

• Borderlands Bakery website | Instagram| Facebook
• My Custom Bakes |Instagram| Facebook
• Tip: Stay disciplined; keep yourself accountable

• The Better Baker Club website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Stan Store
• Better Baker Club Courses & Tools
• FB Group: Home Bakery Business Tips
• Episode #136
• Tip: Track income & expenses regularly; separate business finances

• Cakepops by Rachel website | Instagram | Facebook
• School of Cakepop website | Instagram
• Episode #135
• Tip: Price for profit; value your time

• The Monetization Chef Facebook
• FB Group: Cottage Food Business
• Newsletter: Cottage Foodology
• Tip: Build credit early; prepare for financing before you need it

• CRUMB Sourdough Microbakery website | Instagram
• FB Group: Oregon Cottage Food Law & Resource Group
• Episode #74
• Tip: Be confident in wholesale; start small and scale

• The Cottage Foodie website | Facebook | Instagram
• CottageFoodieCon 2026 | Facebook | Instagram
• Sergeant Shortbread website | Facebook | Instagram
• Episode #133
• Tip: Join your Chamber of Commerce; show up and network

Host David Crabill’s Cottage Food Pro membership is a great opportunity to get personalized feedback directly from David and other members.

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/150

Alanna T’ia lives in Columbia, MO and sells semi-custom decorated cakes and other treats with her cottage food business, Sugar, Butter & Flour.

Alanna always made her kids’ birthday cakes as they were growing up, but after making her daughter’s wedding cake in 2019, she decided to turn her longtime hobby into a home bakery.

It wasn’t long before Alanna became the go-to cake maker in her area, and she has now made over $100,000 per year in sales multiple times!

In this episode, Alanna shares how she became a 6-figure baker by creating a professional setup with streamlined systems, exceptional customer service, and consistent high-quality products.

• Treat It Like a Business from Day One: Alanna didn’t just bake. She set up a professional website, used a CRM for orders, and streamlined her systems. She says, “I run my bakery, my home bakery, like I would a shop.” This mindset helped her hit $100K+ in sales multiple times!
• Be Transparent & Set Boundaries: On her website, Alanna lays out all options, prices, and policies upfront. No guesswork for customers. She’s clear about what she does (and doesn’t) offer, which saves time and attracts the right clients. She even has strict business hours and a contract to protect her time. Take it from her: “Just because I work out of my home doesn’t mean I’m less professional.”
• Adapt, Innovate, and Know Your Why: From shifting her menu to match trends (hello, dessert spreads and sourdough!) to advocating for better cottage food laws, Alanna is always evolving. She reminds us: “Find your why, and once you’ve found it, figure out your backend and start selling legitimately.” Her passion for supporting her family keeps her motivated, even through those 16-hour days!

Sugar, Butter & Flour website (Instagram | Facebook)

Dubsado (Customer Relationship Management tool)

Missouri Cottage Food Law

Do you spend too much time juggling spreadsheets, managing DMs, and trying to keep track of custom orders?

If so, you absolutely should check out My Custom Bakes. It’s an order-management platform built by cottage bakers, for cottage bakers. It’s an easy way to market, manage, and monetize custom orders — all in one place.

Your shop comes with a semi-customizable website, automated quote-to-order workflows, and a built-in chat feature. You can manage availability, scheduling, presales, and custom product options without the hassle.

Best of all? It’s community-funded and has no hidden fees or percentage cuts. Join the 1,000+ bakers who rely on My Custom Bakes to stay focused on baking, not busywork.

To learn more, go to mycustombakes.com.

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/149

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