Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Roderick Cross, founder of Bundtz By Rod, located in Sherwood, Arkansas.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Bundtz By Rod is an Online Bakery specializing in preparing Bundt-style cakes in various sizes and flavors to include alcohol-infused options. I have a very broad spectrum of diverse customers and business partners. Some of which include local area restaurants that sell my cakes by the slice. Those places are So Full Cafe in Little Rock, Too Sweet Bar & Grill in Little Rock, Pull Up @ Big Dave's in Little Rock, Chicken Wangs III Food Truck, and Millennial Adult Day Care in Little Rock. Provide your customers with a quality product and even better customer service. The product is what attracts customers to your business. The service is what makes them loyal.
Tell us about yourself
I got started baking cakes on a part-time basis in 2015 after my mother tasted one of them and didn't believe that I was the person who made it. A friend then suggested to me that I should start thinking about selling them after she tasted one.
I worked Full Time in Corporate America for a Fortune 500 Company as a Recruiter/Diversity and Inclusion Specialist while baking part-time and selling cake slices in Beauty/Barber Shops, Flea Markets, sporting events, etc. In 2019 on the 1st official workday of the year, I was unexpectedly riffed from my job of 13 years. While riding home in shock, I was wrestling with the idea of putting my resume together, floating it out there to see what job I could land. After all, a 14 year veteran of the Armed Forces with over 30 years of military and civilian Human Resource experience shouldn't have that much trouble finding gainful employment. Not to mention having a Master's Degree in Public Administration. After a few minutes of riding around, letting what had just happened to me sink in, I decided that I would turn my part-time paying hobby into a full-time vocation.
I realized that I very much enjoyed working for myself and feeling the rush from collecting money for something that I produced. I've been baking and selling Bundt Cakes full-time every since.
I'm motivated by honoring my mother each day from making a living at something she did out of love for whoever asked her. I'm also motivated by creating products that people really enjoy.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner was and is garnering national notoriety and acclaim on Sirius XM Radio Shows like "The Happy Hour with Heather B" (XM Fly Channel 47), "The Sway In The Morning Show" (Channel 45), and "Heather B Live" (Urban View Channel 126).
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The cost of supplies, goods, and services that I require to run my business has increased price across the board. As a result, it becomes increasingly more difficult to turn a profit.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1). Do the research and determine your target audience/client. Talk with others in that space, read, experience the competition. They have made a mistake already. No reason for you to duplicate them.
2). Social Media is KING. The more present you are on the various platforms, the better exposure you bring to your business.
3). Stay persistent and be consistent. You're going to hear "no" more times than not. Don't let that deter you. Stay the course. You will set a certain standard and expectation for your customers. Make sure that you work to maintain it, always. If you don't, own up to it. Customers will grant you grace for the most part. That grace then turns into one loyal customer who, in turn, brings additional customers to your business.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.instagram.com/Bundtzbyrod
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roderick-cross-bb987237
https://www.facebook.com/Bundtzbyrod
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.
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