The Bread Winner Podcast

October was a full and fulfilling month in my bakery—one that reminded me why slowing down to reflect is just as important as pushing forward. In this month’s business recap, I’m sharing what worked well, what didn’t, and the lessons I’m taking into the busy holiday season ahead. From product wins like my new English muffin loaf to the experiments that didn’t go as planned (hello, caramel mishaps)...

In this final episode of my three-part series on sourdough markets, we’re diving into one of my favorite parts—booth setup and presentation. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by market prep or unsure how to stand out, this episode is packed with practical tips that will help you show up with confidence and clarity. From choosing the right tablecloth to positioning your signs, I’ll walk you through w...

Join the Holiday Accelerator HERE! http://www.carolinebower.com/holidayaccelerator In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most common questions I get from sourdough microbakery owners — how do you prepare for a market without burning out? This is Part 2 of my Market Series, where I’m breaking down the planning, scheduling, and decision-making that go into a smooth, successful market week. I’m...

Join the Holiday Accelerator HERE! http://www.carolinebower.com/holidayaccelerator In this episode, I’m diving into one of my favorite topics— farmers markets and vendor events —and how they can completely transform your sourdough microbakery. After two years of selling at the same local market, I’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and how to find a market that actually supports your goals, not...

Join the Holiday Accelerator HERE! http://www.carolinebower.com/holidayaccelerator This 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 “...

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 differentl...

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 sys...

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...

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...

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 m...

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 b...

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...

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...

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...

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 sha...

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 th...

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 ri...

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 h...

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 pus...

In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast , I'm diving into five practical, low-pressure ways to grow your microbakery business—without relying on social media. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the scroll or unsure how to keep up with the algorithm game, this one's for you.  I’ll walk you through strategies I’ve used in my own bakery to build a thriving, loyal customer base that doesn’t d...

If SEO makes your eyes glaze over, you're not alone. But here's the truth—if you're running a sourdough microbakery, especially from home, local SEO can be one of the simplest and most effective tools for helping your community find you. In this episode, I’m breaking it all down in a way that feels doable, not overwhelming. I'm sharing the exact steps I’ve researched and implemented to help make i...

In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast , I’m breaking down the essential business terms that every sourdough microbakery owner should understand—without the confusing jargon. If you've ever felt overwhelmed hearing words like “gross revenue,” “margin,” or “cost of goods sold,” don’t worry—I’m walking you through each one, step by step, in plain language that makes sense for bakers like us. Wh...

May was one of those months that felt full—in a good way. Between markets, porch pickups, and the usual busyness of family life at the end of the school year, I still managed to keep my microbakery rhythm steady. In this episode, I walk you through exactly what worked, what shifted, and where I scaled back to create margin. From simplifying my product lineup to prepping freezer-friendly muffins ah...

🥖🏆 The Bread Winner Inner Circle is finally open for the next cohort! With just 30 spots, it'll fill fast! Click here for the details and to sign up! www.carolinebower.com/innercircle 🥖🏆 If you’re dreaming of turning your sourdough passion into a real business - or if you’ve already started and are feeling a bit in over your head - this episode is for you. I’m walking you through the four most...

Summer in a microbakery brings all kinds of changes—both in customer behavior and in our own capacity. In this episode, I’m walking you through the shifts I’m making in my business as we enter the slower, hotter months. From streamlining my product offerings to prepping freezer-friendly items like muffins and cinnamon rolls, I’m sharing practical ways to protect your energy, honor your season, and...