The Bread Winner Podcast

In this episode, I’m sharing an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s been like transitioning from a home oven setup to a dedicated bread oven in my sourdough micro bakery. After a few months of using the My Forno oven, I wanted to walk you through what’s actually changed—not just in terms of output, but in how my days feel, how my workflow has shifted, and what it really means to scale your...

In this episode, I’m talking about something that almost every sourdough micro bakery owner experiences at some point, but we don’t often say out loud—the plateau phase. This is the season where your business isn’t struggling, but it’s also not growing the way it once was. Orders feel steady, your regulars are still there, but things have leveled off. And if you’re in that space, it can feel confu...

In this episode, we’re wrapping up our three-part series on KPIs for sourdough micro bakery owners by talking about the how —how to actually look at your data and turn it into useful insights for your business. I walk you through a simple, practical way to export your sales data and start noticing the patterns that are already hiding inside your bakery. Because so often we rely on memory—rememberi...

In this episode, I’m continuing our three-part series on KPIs for sourdough micro bakery owners, and today we’re getting practical. Last week we talked about why paying attention to your numbers matters. In this episode, I’m breaking down what you actually need to look at. Because when people say “know your numbers,” that can feel vague and overwhelming. The truth is, you don’t need a giant spread...

In this episode, I’m inviting you to step out of the kitchen and into the boardroom with me. If you’re selling bread to real people and taking real money in exchange for it—even if it’s just a handful of loaves a week—you’re running a business. And that shift in mindset changes everything. We’re kicking off a three-part series all about putting on your CEO hat and learning how to lead your sourdou...

In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my January and sharing what the numbers, the menu, and the day‑to‑day realities of brick‑and‑mortar life are teaching me. Revenue was up again (which is encouraging in a post‑holiday month), but what really stood out wasn’t just growth — it was what’s driving that growth. From workshops becoming a meaningful revenue stream to core products conti...

In this episode, I’m walking you through the monthly check-in rhythm I use to keep my business grounded, focused, and burnout-proof. If you’ve ever found yourself jumping from one month to the next without really stopping to reflect, this practice is for you. I’m sharing the simple, repeatable questions I ask each month that help me assess what’s working, what’s not, and how to move forward with m...

In this episode, I’m continuing our January series by walking through how I’ve completely rethought my menu planning for the year ahead. If you’ve ever felt mentally exhausted just thinking about your menu, or found yourself re-deciding the same things week after week, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale. I’m sharing why more options don’t automatically mean more sales, how simplifying...

In this episode of The Breadwinner Podcast , we’re kicking off the new year by zooming out and looking at the big picture. January is naturally a slower month for many bakers, and that gives us the chance to pause, breathe, and plan intentionally. But instead of building rigid calendars that break under pressure, I’m sharing a simpler approach—one that’s flexible, supportive, and rooted in how sou...

Welcome to the very first episode of 2026! I’m so excited to be back behind the mic and kicking off the year with you. In this episode, I’m reflecting on the wins, challenges, and lessons from December—both the bakery numbers and the personal growth behind them. This isn't just about product sales or planning menus (though we cover plenty of that too); it's about how we move forward with intention...

Hello my friend, and welcome to the final episode of 2025. This isn’t a traditional year-in-review episode—it’s more of an invitation to pause, to breathe, and to remember that the work you’re doing in your sourdough microbakery is building something far bigger than weekly sales or Instagram posts. In this slower-paced reflection, I share five intentional questions that I hope will help you zoom o...

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have an assistant in your microbakery—or if you’re feeling overwhelmed and know you need help but don’t know where to start—this episode is for you. I’m chatting with Melissa, my former assistant, about what it really looks like to bring someone into your space, how to know you’re ready, and what tasks you can delegate to lighten your load without s...

November was one of the wildest months I’ve ever walked through, and in this episode, I’m inviting you behind the scenes to hear the full recap—what worked, what didn’t, and what I’m carrying forward into December. This was the month I made the big move from my home bakery into a brick-and-mortar space, and it came with all the expected learning curves… and then some. From navigating a new oven an...

This episode is a behind-the-scenes peek at my very first week in the new commercial bakery space. I’m walking you through the move from home to brick-and-mortar—what led me to take this leap, how it felt to lock the bakery door behind me for the first time, and what’s already changing in my business. I’m talking about what worked, what didn’t, and what I’m learning in real time—because it’s not a...

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...