The Bread Winner Podcast

Join the Holiday Accelerator HERE! http://www.carolinebower.com/holidayacceleratorThis time of year can get overwhelming fast—but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, I’m sharing the mindset shifts and simple strategies I’m using right now to set up a strong and sustainable Q4 in my sourdough microbakery. Whether you’re prepping for pop-ups, markets, or pre-orders, I walk you through how to say “yes” like a CEO, protect your energy, and plan ahead so the holidays feel fulfilling instead of frantic.From early ingredient prep and freezer stocking to menu planning and creating white space in your calendar, I’m giving you a peek behind the curtain of how I’m approaching this busy season differently. You’ll also hear about the upcoming Holiday Accelerator—a live virtual planning event designed to help you reset, regroup, and walk into November and December with confidence. If you want to hit your goals without burning out, this episode is for you.Resources: Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdoughFind links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/linksDownload 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! 

This month-in-review is a real behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep a sourdough microbakery going strong through a full season of life. Between homeschooling, baking at home, prepping for a brick-and-mortar space, and managing two markets plus a popup and a workshop, it’s been a big month. I’m breaking down exactly where my revenue came from, what worked well, and what I’d do differently. I’ll also share why adding one simple new revenue stream made such a difference — and how you can do the same, even as a home baker.I’m also getting real about where I hit capacity. From trying to do everything myself (again) to learning the hard way that help makes a huge difference, I’m pulling back the curtain on both the numbers and the realities behind them. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the thick of it, this episode will help you reflect on your own business rhythms, consider new ways to simplify or expand, and hopefully walk away with a few ideas you can put into action this week.Resources: Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdoughFind links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/linksDownload 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! 

I’m pulling back the curtain today for a very real and honest conversation about burnout. In this season of my life and business, I’ve been stretched thin and I can feel the warning signs creeping in—low energy, decision fatigue, and losing joy in the very things that once excited me. Instead of muscling through, I’ve been practicing what I teach: slowing down, setting boundaries, and building systems that protect my time, my family, and my love for baking. In this episode, I’m sharing what that looks like for me right now and why it matters for the longevity of your microbakery too.This isn’t just theory—it’s practical, actionable advice from someone walking through it in real time. I’ll guide you through a simple self-audit you can use to spot burnout early, protect your energy, and take small, doable steps to restore your joy before you hit the wall. If you’ve been feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or on the edge of burnout, this conversation will make you feel less alone and give you tangible ways to keep your business healthy, sustainable, and aligned with the life you want to live.Resources: Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdoughFind links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/linksDownload 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! 

This week I’m digging into a topic that has made a huge difference in how I run my bakery: scarcity. But not in a manipulative or high-pressure way—we’re talking about how to use natural limits to create more clarity, consistency, and ease in your microbakery. If you’ve ever sold out, scrambled to keep up with custom requests, or felt unsure about how to set boundaries, this episode is packed with encouragement and practical tips to help you take back control of your time and ordering process.I’ll walk you through what scarcity really looks like in a microbakery (hint: you already have it), the common mistakes I see bakers make, and exactly how to set clear limits in a way that serves both you and your customers. You'll hear how to gently teach your audience to order early, use strategic language to create urgency, and protect your energy while still showing up professionally. This is a must-listen if you’re ready to sell out with less stress and more confidence.Resources: Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdoughFind links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/linksDownload 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! 

It’s hard to believe we’ve made it to episode 100 of the Bread Winner Podcast. What a journey it's been—over a year of showing up weekly to help you build a thriving sourdough microbakery that supports your life, your family, and your financial goals. I’m so thankful you’re here. In today’s episode, we’re diving into Part 2 of the strategy to pay yourself $1,000 per month from your bakery. This is a simple, scalable formula that works whether you’re just getting started or looking to grow toward a full-time income. If you missed Part 1 in episode 98, you’ll want to go back and listen to that one first—we laid the foundation by walking through product costs and pricing for profit.Now we’re moving into the practical and strategic steps to reverse-engineer your revenue goal. We’ll look at how to break your monthly target into weekly goals, map out your product mix, and use systems (like my profit and pricing calculator) to take the guesswork out of your numbers. I’ll also share how I plan for my own market weeks, how to use pricing data to create more freedom in your schedule, and how to ensure you’re not just baking more—but baking smarter. This strategy has been a game changer for me and so many others in the Bread Winner Inner Circle, and I can’t wait to see what it unlocks for you.Resources: Get the Profit First Book here: https://rivr.link/0bw-CgvrFX Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdoughFind links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/linksDownload 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! 

In this episode, I’m bringing you behind the scenes of what August looked like in my microbakery—from market days to revenue breakdowns, product wins, flops, and everything in between. This is one of my favorite types of episodes to share because it gives me a chance to pause, reflect, and walk you through what worked, what didn’t, and what I’m learning as I move forward. I baked just twice this month by design to create a slower summer rhythm, and I’m sharing all the numbers—what I sold, how I sold it, and where the revenue came from.You’ll hear about shifting product strategies like minis and English muffins, process improvements (hello, English muffin rings), margin-challenging products like brownies, and how I’m gearing up to open my storefront with the support of my community. I’m also talking about the bottlenecks I’m facing, like packaging and capacity, and how I’m navigating this transition from home-based baking to a commercial kitchen. Whether you’re baking full-time or part-time, from home or looking to scale, my hope is that this episode gives you practical insights, encouragement, and a reminder that your bakery is part of something really important.Resources: Join the Strategy Session Waitlist: Spots are limited, but if you want my eyes on your business and a personalized action plan, join the waitlist here. http://carolinebower.com/strategysessionwaitlistGrab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdoughFind links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/linksDownload 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! 

This episode has been on my heart (and in my notes) for a long time, and I’m so excited to finally share it with you. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I actually make money doing this?”, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving into the practical, number-based strategy to start paying yourself $1,000 a month from your sourdough microbakery. Whether you’re in the early stages of your business or looking to tighten up your pricing and margins, this conversation is packed with tangible steps to help you take real ownership of your numbers and shift your business toward long-term profitability.We talk about what it really means to understand your costs: every ingredient, every gram, and how to use that info to price your products in a way that supports your goals. You’ll learn how to calculate cost per loaf, profit margins, and how to avoid the most common pricing traps bakers fall into. I’m also sharing some real-life examples from my own menu (and the flops that taught me the most). This is part one of a two-part episode that lays the groundwork for creating a plan that not only feeds your community—but actually pays you too.Resources: Join the Strategy Session Waitlist: Spots are limited, but if you want my eyes on your business and a personalized action plan, join the waitlist here. http://carolinebower.com/strategysessionwaitlistGrab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products. http://carolinebower.com/calculator Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdoughFind links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/linksDownload 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! 

Bad bake days happen to all of us—yes, even the most seasoned sourdough bakers. In this episode, I’m opening up about what to do when a bake flops, whether it’s burned loaves, flat cookies, or an entire batch of focaccia tossed in the trash (been there!). I’m walking you through how I process those days, reframe my mindset, and figure out whether it was something in my control—or totally out of it. Because one bad day doesn’t define you, and it definitely doesn’t erase all the wins you’ve had along the way.I’m also sharing practical tools to help you move forward after things go sideways—how to troubleshoot, what questions to ask yourself, how to shift out of discouragement, and even how to prevent repeat mistakes in the future. This episode is for the baker who’s ever questioned if they’re really cut out for this (spoiler: you are). My hope is that you walk away with more confidence, more clarity, and a toolkit to carry you through the tough moments that come with running a sourdough microbakery.Resources: Join my email newsletter here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/newsletter Join the Inner Circle Waitlist here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/innercirclewaitlistJoin the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetworkFollow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdoughFind links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/linksDownload 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! 

In this episode, I’m diving into something that might seem simple on the surface but has made a huge impact in my life as a baker, business owner, and mom: morning and evening routines. I’m walking you through what our evenings and mornings actually look like in our house - yes, the real rhythms, the not-so-perfect parts, and the little tweaks we’ve made over time to feel more present, rested, and ready to take on the day. As microbakery owners, sleep and structure aren’t luxuries—they’re essentials—and when we start and end our days with intention, everything in between flows a whole lot smoother.You’ll hear about what works for our family, how I prep for bake days, the choices I make around sleep, and the tiny moments (like barefoot grounding and skincare) that make a surprising difference. My routines aren’t rigid—they’re flexible frameworks that support the life and business I want to build. I’m sharing it all so you can take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and build something that serves you. Whether you’re brand new to routines or just looking to refine yours, I hope this episode feels like a deep breath and a gentle nudge to create rhythms that truly support you.Resources: Join my email newsletter here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/newsletter Join the Inner Circle Waitlist here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/innercirclewaitlistJoin the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetworkFollow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdoughFind links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/linksDownload 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! 

This month’s Bread Winner Podcast episode is one of my favorite types of episodes—the month in review. These monthly check-ins give me space to reflect on what went well, what didn’t, and where I want to go next in both my sourdough microbakery and life. July was intentionally lighter on the baking and heavier on family time, and honestly, it was just what I needed. I’m sharing how scaling back to two markets this month gave me the margin to be present with family, travel, and celebrate our anniversary—without guilt or burnout.But this episode isn’t just a personal update. I’m also bringing you behind the scenes on market performance, product tweaks (including a new way I tested English muffins), and the exciting, official announcement of my new bakery space. If you're dreaming of growing your own bakery or just need a dose of encouragement, this one’s for you.Resources: Join my email newsletter here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/newsletter Join the Inner Circle Waitlist here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/innercirclewaitlistJoin the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetworkFollow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdoughFind links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/linksDownload 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! 

In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I’m diving into one of my favorite topics—how to improve your products without falling into the trap of perfectionism. If you’ve ever held back from launching something new because it didn’t feel “perfect,” or if you’ve caught yourself making endless tweaks after one single comment, this conversation is going to bring so much clarity (and relief). I share my simple “test, tweak, repeat” framework that helps you confidently improve your products while still moving forward in your sourdough microbakery business.You’ll hear how I collect honest feedback, what types of changes are actually worth making, and how to avoid overthinking every loaf or cookie that comes out of your oven. I also talk about how to stop second-guessing and start trusting your process—because consistency builds trust, and that’s what keeps customers coming back. Whether you’re testing new flavors or refining your existing staples, this episode will help you stay focused, strategic, and grounded in what’s really working.Resources: Join my email newsletter here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/newsletter Join the Inner Circle Waitlist here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/innercirclewaitlistJoin the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetworkFollow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdoughFind links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/linksDownload 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! 

In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, we're diving into one of my favorite ways to bring clarity, ease, and identity to your sourdough microbakery—your signature product. If you’ve ever wondered how to stand out in a crowded market, simplify your menu, or create momentum with your customers, this conversation is for you. I’m sharing what a signature product really is, why it matters more than you think, and how to either identify the one you already have—or create it from scratch in a way that aligns with your brand, your capacity, and your personal joy.We’ll walk through how to find your signature product using data, customer feedback, and your own preferences, and how to make it the anchor of your menu without getting bored. I’ll also talk about promoting your signature item in a way that builds buzz without burnout—and why it doesn’t have to be fancy or complex to be unforgettable. If you’ve ever struggled to decide what to focus on or want your bakery to feel more you, this episode will bring the clarity and inspiration you’ve been craving.Resources: Join my email newsletter here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/newsletter Join the Inner Circle Waitlist here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/innercirclewaitlistJoin the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetworkFollow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdoughFind links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/linksDownload 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! 

In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, we're digging into one of those questions that comes up so often for sourdough bakers: Should you use organic ingredients? I know it can feel overwhelming, so today I'm breaking it down in an honest, practical way. We’ll talk about why this question matters, how to clarify your own values, and how to make sourcing decisions that truly fit your bakery right now.I’ll also share tips on prioritizing high-impact swaps (like flour and dairy), weighing your profit margins, and communicating your choices clearly with customers. Your ingredient sourcing is part of your brand story, and you have permission to let it evolve as your business grows. If you want to be real and intentional while building trust with your customers, this episode is for you.Join the Inner Circle Waitlist here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/innercirclewaitlistJoin the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetworkFollow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdoughFind links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/linksDownload 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! 

Have you ever thought about how your pickup experience shapes your customers’ perception of your bakery? In this episode, I’m walking you through why your pickup process matters just as much as your product—and how you can make small, thoughtful changes that turn casual buyers into loyal fans.Whether you're handing off sourdough from your front porch or your trunk, I’m sharing practical tips to help you streamline the logistics, eliminate confusion, and add those extra touches that leave your customers feeling seen and valued—without overwhelming yourself on bake day.Join the Bread Winner Network: www.carolinebower.com/bwnetworkFollow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdoughFind links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/linksDownload 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! 

June was a big month around here—both in terms of revenue and lessons learned. With just three bake days, I broke my market sales record and tried out some key process changes, including switching all of my inclusion loaves to minis (spoiler: they flew off the table). I’m also giving you an honest look at the behind-the-scenes work that doesn’t always make it to Instagram—including what nearly pushed me to burnout.In this episode, I’m sharing what worked, what didn’t, and what I’m shifting as I head into July. Whether you're managing summer baking, adjusting your product lineup, or dreaming of your own storefront, you’ll walk away with practical insights to apply to your own bakery business.Links to things you might like! Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including the dough bins I mentioned, packaging, pans, and more in my Amazon Storefrom! www.carolinebower.com/amazonJoin The Bread Winner Inner Circle Waitlist: www.carolinebower.com/innercirclewaitlistDownload 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