Three Generations of Bread Makers - Bright Bread Company

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kayla Zakhour, marketing, and social media manager of Bright Bread Company, located in Lake Forest, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We are a women-owned, three-generation bread bakery delivery business in South Orange County. Bright Bread Company was born amidst a global pandemic. Operated by three generations of women, Bright Bread Company bakes and delivers delicious homemade bread and banana bread straight to your doorstep in South Orange County. 80-year-old Mrs. Bright, whom the company is named after, has built a lasting impression on her community with her simple but nutritious recipes! Bright's bread is created with only five ingredients and no preservatives, compared to the laundry list of preservatives that make up most breads sold in stores. Mrs. Bright's mission is to spread joy through her oldest and most famous recipes.

Tell us about yourself

With the passing of our patriarch, Gihad Zakhour, finances quickly became an issue. Then, Charisse (one of our head bakers), who'd been working in the telecommunications field, lost her job at the beginning of the pandemic, further adding to our family's economic uncertainty. After gathering at our family meeting place, the dinner table - we asked ourselves: what can we do? What are we known for? We were going to need to make bread to raise the dough. We are known for their food, and food is simply what we do best.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

In just a year and a half, we have organically grown our Instagram community to almost 5,000 followers while selling over 10,000+ bread loaves and charcuterie in total. We were also recently featured on a TV show called Destination LA - Season 2, which originally aired on KCBS CH. 2 (CBS - LA) in January of 2022 and is now viewable on Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, we have worked with fellow Chapman students on creating a documentary about our story and business which will be entered in some exciting film festivals this year.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things about being a business owner is figuring it all out yourself because no one teaches you this stuff. No one teaches you: how to take risks, how to find opportunities, how to build a business from the ground up, how to manage a team etc.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

First of all, it's never too late. It doesn't matter what age you are - if you want to do something, just do it. Mrs. Bright, one of our Head Baker's and whom the company is named after, is 81 years old and is finally doing what she loves most. Second, never say no. There are so many opportunities out there - you just have to be willing to receive them. Give yourself every chance to achieve your dreams. Thirdly, learn from your mistakes early on. It is inevitable as a new business owner that you will make mistakes, but as long as you learn from them early on and decide how to pivot, success is bred.

Thank you to our community and those around us who have supported us from the beginning! Your loyalty, love, and support mean so much to us and are the reason we can say we are Bright Bread Company.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.brightbreadco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brightbreadcompany
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightbreadco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bright-bread-company/

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.