In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, we sit down with Megan Morales from Purple Elephant Bookkeeping to uncover the secrets to stress-free bookkeeping for small business owners. If bookkeeping feels overwhelming or you find yourself scrambling at tax time, this episode is for you!

You'll learn why maintaining good financial habits is crucial for your bakery's success and the simple steps you can take to keep your books in order without getting buried in paperwork. Megan shares practical tips on avoiding common financial mistakes and explains how understanding your numbers can lead to smarter business decisions and increased profitability.

Tune in to discover how to stay ahead of your bookkeeping tasks, gain clarity on your business’s financial health, and set yourself up for long-term success—all without feeling stressed or confused! This episode will give you the confidence to manage your bakery's finances like a pro.

Links to things we talked about:

PurpleElephantBookkeeping.com

Purple Elephant Bookkeeping on Instagram

Get the free Small Business Tracker from Purple Elephant Bookkeeping (https://www.purpleelephantbookkeeping.com/bread-winner-subscribe)

Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://mailchi.mp/thebluebirdbreadco/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery!

Caroline Bower Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough

In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast,I’ll share why creating a list should be one of your top priorities and provide practical advice on how to get started, whether you choose email or text. From my own experience, I’ll highlight the advantages of using a list to keep your customers engaged and ensure your messages are seen.

We’ll cover the basics of when to start building your list (hint: the sooner, the better!), how to maintain direct communication with your customers, and which platforms work best for small businesses like yours. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale up, this episode will help you build stronger relationships with your customers and drive consistent growth for your bakery.

Plus, don’t forget to join the waitlist for The Bread Winner Inner Circle—our new online community designed to help you grow your business sustainably and profitably.

Links to things we talked about:

Join the Bread Winner Inner Circle Waitlist: https://mailchi.mp/thebluebirdbreadco/bread-winner-inner-circle-waitlist

Project Broadcast for building a text list: https://app.projectbroadcast.com/sign-up?referral=bluebird

Mailchimp for building an email list: mailchimp.com

Caroline Bower Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough

Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://mailchi.mp/thebluebirdbreadco/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery!

In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, Caroline discusses the transformative power of working with a coach. She shares her personal journey of overcoming fear, indecision, and perfectionism by investing in a business coach, and how this decision has accelerated her growth far beyond what she could have achieved on her own.

Caroline discusses the invaluable benefits of having a coach to hold you accountable, offer expert guidance, and provide a fresh perspective on your business challenges. She highlights how a coach can help you step into the role of a confident business owner with clear goals and actionable steps.

Caroline also addresses the cost of staying stuck in your comfort zone and the missed opportunities that come from not seeking outside help. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply unsure of your next steps, this episode is packed with insights to help you see the immense value of investing in yourself and your business. Tune in to discover why a coach might be the missing piece to help you break through barriers, make bold decisions, and achieve the business growth you’ve been dreaming of.

Links to things we talked about:

Join The Bread Winner Inner Circle Waitlist

Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Caroline

Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://mailchi.mp/thebluebirdbreadco/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery!

Caroline Bower Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough

In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, Caroline Bower dives into the transformative power of a dedicated planning week. Caroline shares her step-by-step approach to setting yourself up for a successful season in your sourdough microbakery. From gathering invaluable customer feedback through surveys to reflecting on your mission, vision, and values, she outlines how this focused time can refresh and revitalize your business. You'll learn how to use this week to fine-tune your menu, test new recipes, and prepare for the upcoming holiday season, all while ensuring your business remains aligned with your core values.

Caroline also provides practical tips for maximizing your planning week, including recipe testing, creating engaging content, and effective communication with your customers. Whether you're coming off a busy season or gearing up for a new one, this episode will help you lay a solid foundation for a thriving and sustainable microbakery business. Tune in to discover how a strategic planning week can make a significant difference in your bakery's success.

Links to things we talked about:

Apply for a free coaching episode

Get a copy of the Google Forms survey I sent to my customers

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Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://mailchi.mp/thebluebirdbreadco/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery!

Caroline Bower Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough

In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, host Caroline Bower explores effective strategies for selling sourdough bread without relying on farmers' markets. As the farmers' market season winds down, or if they don’t suit your sourdough microbakery, Caroline shares practical alternatives like porch pickup and other creative selling methods. Learn her strategies to streamline sourdough orders and payments, and discover her tips for setting up a consistent, stress-free porch pickup system. She also shares several alternative ideas to help you share your bread in creative and effective ways.

Caroline also announces two exciting updates for sourdough bakers: a new podcast format featuring live coaching and the upcoming launch of the Bread Winner Inner Circle, an exclusive community for sourdough microbakery owners. She invites listeners to apply for coaching and join the waitlist for the Inner Circle, focusing on building a sustainable and profitable sourdough business. Tune in for actionable sourdough sales tips and inspiration for growing your microbakery!

Links to things we talked about:

Apply for a coaching slot on the podcast

Join the Bread Winner Inner Circle Waitlist

Project Broadcast (Use code BLUEBIRD for 50% off your first month)

Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://mailchi.mp/thebluebirdbreadco/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery!

Caroline Bower Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough

This episode of the Breadwinner Podcast dives into the world of sales and incentives specifically tailored for sourdough micro bakery owners. Host Caroline Bower shares practical strategies to increase customer loyalty and drive sales, such as bundle deals, limited time offers, loyalty programs, and creative incentives. Learn how to make your customers feel valued and seen while growing a sustainable and profitable business.

00:11 Welcome to the Breadwinner Podcast

01:09 Understanding the Importance of Sales and Incentives

01:56 Knowing Your Customer

02:40 Creating Irresistible Offers

04:19 Implementing Loyalty Programs

06:25 Incentives to Delight Your Customers

11:37 Leveraging Technology for Sales

13:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://mailchi.mp/thebluebirdbreadco/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery!

Caroline Bower Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough

Embracing the Value of Your Micro Bakery Business

In this heartfelt episode of the Bread Winner podcast, Caroline Bower discusses the importance of recognizing and valuing your micro bakery, regardless of its size. She addresses the habit many female business owners have of belittling their own ventures by using the term 'little,' and offers practical steps to help change this mindset. Caroline shares actionable tips such as eliminating certain vocabulary, avoiding comparison, celebrating wins, networking confidently, and investing in oneself. Join Caroline for an encouraging chat aimed at empowering you to take full pride and ownership of your bakery business and its impact on your life and community.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:36 The Power of Language in Business

03:39 The Impact of Female-Owned Businesses

06:03 Practical Steps to Own Your Business Value

12:32 Networking with Confidence

15:07 Investing in Yourself

17:12 Mindset Shift: Embrace Your Business

19:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Mastering Social Media for Your Micro Bakery

Subscribe to The Simple Sourdough Social Kit!

In this episode of the Bread Winner podcast, Caroline Bower provides an in-depth guide on using social media effectively to grow your micro bakery business. Building on the previous discussion, she delves into setting clear social media goals, identifying and understanding your audience, and optimizing your profiles, especially on Instagram and Facebook. Through practical tips and strategies, such as using content calendars, batch creating content, and utilizing Instagram templates, listeners will learn how to stay consistent and engage both local and broader audiences. The episode also highlights common social media challenges and offers solutions to overcome them, helping bakers to reach their goals efficiently.

00:41 Establishing Social Media Goals

02:20 Identifying Your Audience

02:42 Choosing the Right Platforms

03:39 Optimizing Your Instagram Profile

07:04 Setting Posting Goals

08:44 Creating Consistent Content

09:32 Using Content Calendars and Tools

11:07 Batch Content Creation

13:07 Types of Instagram Content

15:00 Simplifying Instagram Reels

17:12 Writing Effective Captions

20:10 Using Hashtags Strategically

21:27 Personal Social Media Strategies

23:46 Conclusion and Final Tips

Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://mailchi.mp/thebluebirdbreadco/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery!

Links to things we talked about: Subscribe to The Simple Sourdough Social Kit

Caroline Bower Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough