Claim OwnershipKitchen Notes: A Podcast by Bakery Business Academy
Subscribed: 11Played: 234
Subscribe
© 2025 Kitchen Notes: A Podcast by Bakery Business Academy
Description
A show for bakers and food entrepreneurs who want to build profitable bakery businesses that make an impact in their communities.
60 Episodes
Reverse
The holidays are coming (fast), and your Q4 revenue goals won’t hit themselves. So let me ask you this: 👉 Have you actually started planning? 👉 Or are you telling yourself you'll figure it out "next week"? This week on Kitchen Notes, I’m breaking down the 6 core things every bakery needs to think through before the holiday season hits. We’re talking: ✅ The 6 critical areas of holiday planning that every bakery should be thinking about ✅ Why simplifying your holiday menu will mak...
The holiday season may still feel far away, but if you run a bakery, now is the time to get your game plan in place. In this episode, Meg is giving you a friendly (but firm!) reality check and helping you kickstart your holiday planning before it's too late. Whether you’re a seasoned bakery owner or heading into your very first holiday season this episode is packed with practical strategies, hard-won lessons, and behind-the-scenes insights that will help you turn the busiest time of year into...
Starting or running a bakery can be thrilling—but it’s also easy to get lost in the daily grind and miss some of the big-picture moves that set you up for success. In this episode, I’m looking back at my own journey and sharing the 9 lessons learned & things I would do differently if I were starting my bakery today. We're talking about three phases of business growth—Getting Started Right, Laying a Strong Foundation, and Creating Sustainability—so you can take what’s most relevant to wher...
Episode Description: It’s easy to look at the bakeries with long lines and viral reels and wonder if you're falling behind. But here’s the truth: slow, steady, consistent growth is the real magic in most bakery businesses. In this episode, I’m diving into the unglamorous (but wildly effective) habits that actually move the needle—and why you don’t need to chase every trend or constantly reinvent the wheel to build a business that lasts. In this episode, we’re covering: The story of a new Chic...
Slow sales week? We’ve all been there! In this episode, Meg shares the story of how one simple email helped sell out an entire weekend’s worth of pies—in under an hour. If you’ve been pouring time into social media with little to show for it, this episode will get your wheels turning on a marketing strategy that’s simple, repeatable, and actually works. Whether you’re brand new to email or just need a nudge to use it more consistently, this one’s for you! 📝 Show Notes + Takeaways: In th...
Episode Description: Thank you to Margaret for submitting a question for this week's episode! In today’s episode, Meg tackles one of the biggest (and scariest) growth decisions bakery owners face—how do you know when it’s time to hire? If you’ve ever found yourself stretched thin but nervous to bring on staff before the revenue follows, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways: How to spot the signs that you're outgrowing your current role—and what that means for your business.Why it's sometime...
We're halfway through 2025—and wow, what a year it's been! In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the trends and patterns I'm noticing in the baking industry. From price sensitivity to labor market challenges, catering wins to AI tools—we're covering what's shifting and, more importantly, what’s actually working right now. Whether you're "feeling the pressure" or simply want to stay ahead of the curve, this one’s for you! 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why customer price sensi...
Ever wonder how a small bakery team can consistently generate over $1 million a year in revenue—without burning out? In this behind-the-scenes episode, Meg shares the exact tech tools that help her and co-owner Molly run a lean, efficient, and profitable bakery operation. From point-of-sale systems to payroll, email marketing to order automation, you’ll get a peek into the tools that power their bakery’s success—and learn how to start streamlining your own business, one smart upgrade at...
If you've ever pulled your sales report and thought, "We did okay this week... I guess?" — this episode is for you. In today’s solo episode, Meg walks you through a simple but powerful tool to help you track what’s really going on in your bakery — without fancy software or a finance degree. We’re talking about the Leading Indicator Scorecard — a weekly habit that gives you more clarity, more control, and fewer surprises at the end of the month. You’ll learn how to identify the metrics that ma...
Episode Summary: In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the most important—yet overlooked—numbers in bakery business success: your break-even point. Whether you’re feeling stuck, wondering if you can keep your doors open, or just want to make smarter decisions for your bakery’s future, understanding your break-even number is the first step. On this episode, Meg shares why “busy” doesn’t always mean “profitable” and a simple, actionable method to calculate your break-even—even if you’re n...
Episode Summary: Meg returns to the Kitchen Notes podcast after a six-month break to share what’s been happening behind the scenes at Spilt Milk Pastry and Bakery Business Academy. In this quick catch-up episode, Meg opens up about why she paused the show, exciting new projects underway, and what listeners can expect from Kitchen Notes moving forward—including more frequent episodes, updated resources, and a special invitation to help beta test a brand new bakery recipe costing app. Whether ...
Episode Summary: Join us on this inspiring episode of Kitchen Notes as we sit down with Amy Smith, the dynamic owner of The Evergreen Southern Kitchen & Gathering Place, a multifaceted Bakery/Cafe & event venue in Bridgeport, Kentucky. Transitioning from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, Amy shares her journey of creating a thriving business that not only serves delectable treats but also stands as a pillar in the community. Discover how Amy's blend of passion, creativity, and s...
On today's episode, I'm excited to announce a new program we are running starting the week of August 5, 2024 - Bakery Finance Essentials LIVE! I've been teaching my flagship bakery finance e-course in one form or another since 2019 ... it's gone through many iterations and revisions, and I'm confident it is the most comprehensive & approachable bakery finance e-course out there today. We re-lauched the latest version of the program last month, and now I'm excited to announce that for the...
Order Up! On today's episode of Kitchen Notes, we're diving deep into your bakery’s ordering process - with a specific focus on reducing friction in the ordering process so you can increase sales. From crafting a user-friendly menu to leveraging modern technology for 24/7 ordering capabilities, we explore strategies & techniques to make buying from your bakery as effortless as possible. Join us as we discuss practical tips and share stories of real-world implementations that...
On today's episode, we dive into a detailed financial review of the first half of 2024. We'll discusses investments, revenue growth, budget considerations, and specific financial metrics that we're keeping on eye on as we grow our bakery. This financial check-up aims to provide listeners with insights on managing their bakery's finances and adapting strategies for continued growth in the second half of the year. If you run a bakery business, this episode is packed with practical tips and "les...
On today's episode, we're digging into "Part 1" of a new two-episode series where we look back at the first six months of 2024 - sharing key business updates, financial insights, and unique investments that have shaped the success of our year so far! Join us as we discuss the projects we've worked on, investments we've made this year, and trends that have influenced not just our bakery but could inspire your own culinary ventures as well. This episode is packed with valuable takeaways for a...
Episode Summary: In this episode of Kitchen Notes, Meg dives into a crucial topic for bakery owners struggling with profitability: the myth that more sales always lead to more profit. Drawing from personal experiences and lessons learned with her bakery, Spilt Milk, Meg emphasizes the need to deeply understand your costs, price your products correctly with healthy profit margins, create a profit-first budget, and have a plan for monitoring numbers/taking corrective action. She outlines practi...
Episode Summary: In this episode of Kitchen Notes, join us as we explore the power of business collaborations to boost bakery sales, expand customer reach, and enhance brand exposure. Discover how partnerships with complementary businesses - whether with taco joints or local florists - can lead to fun and fruitful outcomes. Host Meg Svec shares real-life examples from recent successful collaborations, offers practical tips on setting up your own partnerships, and discusses how to ensure these...
Episode Summary: In today's episode of Kitchen Notes, we're diving deep into effective strategies for increasing your bakery's revenue, without the need to expand your menu or invest in new product development. Focusing on practical, low-effort techniques, we'll explore how things like minor packaging adjustments, "low-fi" subscription models, and regular sales promotions can significantly boost your bakery revenue. Whether you're operating with limited time or looking for creative way...
Episode Summary: In this episode, we're diving into a detailed post-Mother's Day debrief that reveals how to leverage holiday sales to sustain and grow your bakery business. Join us as we explore practical strategies for maximizing revenue during key sales periods, with real-life examples from our recent successful Mother's Day holiday baker promo! Whether you're running a bustling retail bakery, are in the thick of online sales, or operate as a "popup" business ... this episode will p...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States