Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Melodie Asseraf, CEO of Bake It With Mel, located in Watkins Glen, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Bake it with Mel is an all-in-one baking solution bringing baking into the 21st century. Using the leverage of social media, trends, and new technology to modernize baking. Today's young modern baker doesn't have the time to spend hours in the kitchen, but they want those Insta-worthy photos. With my baking kits, baking mixes, LIVE baking help, anyone can start baking like a real pro.
Tell us about yourself
I graduated from Northeastern and then attended culinary school for the pastry arts and bread-making diploma. It was life-changing, and I fell in love with baking. After my school experience, I knew I needed some real-life experience, so I moved to Paris to study under the masters of French gastronomy. I then opened my bakery in Paris for about five years. Fast-forwarding a few years, I competed twice on Food Network's Chopped and was named 2 X Chopped Champion. Bake it with Mel is the first line of baking kits designed by a chef and taught by a chef. Every kit gives you the pre-measured ingredients and tools to succeed at baking like a real pro. I wanted anyone, no matter what was going on in their lives to be able to create sweet memories.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I'm not sure - Creating, trademarking, and launching a full-on brand. Knowing how to anticipate trends to use those for the business. I recently just graduated from an accelerator program as well to raise capital for the business.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
RAISING- it's lonely, stressful, discouraging, relentless. It's been one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
There's no recipe for running a business, so make you are determined and in love with what you are trying to do, or it will not work. Only YOU have the power to move it forward.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I was born in Paris. French is my first language, and food has always been a huge part of my culture, so this was one of the best ways to bring people together.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.bakeitwithmel.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bakingbossbabe/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodie-asseraf-7188a6150/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.