Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Glynnis & Katha Waters, owners of CEG Bakery, located in Atlanta, GA, USA.

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

CEG Bakery is a French and Southern infused bakery located in Buckhead. We create weekly flavor menus giving customers something new to try every week! In-house, we offer cupcakes, cakes, pies, cookies, French Macarons, cinnamon rolls, and other pastries. We help our customers celebrate their special occasions from birthdays to weddings with cakes designed custom for them!

Tell us about yourself

CEG was inspired by our trip to Paris in 2009. We fell in love with the bakeries there and decided we wanted to bring some of our experience home to Atlanta. We thrive on creating desserts that will be enjoyed by the birthday boy or the newly married couple! We believe in creating lasting relationships and becoming a part of your family traditions. We have customers who started with a baby shower cake and who now we've made the birthday cake for the last five years.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We've been practically debt-free for the past eight years. We were selected as a vendor for the Super Bowl 2019 VIP experience. Being able to readjust our business model and thrive during COVID on our own. Just recently, we won Best of Georgia; God is Good!

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

Being a small business owner is a 24/7 job. We wear all the hats and do everything for the business. Being black women, we face additional hurdles.

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

  1. Research your industry, including talking to people working in the industry. Understand no matter how much preparation, there will still be surprises.
  2. Find your niche within the industry and stay true to your vision.
  3. Get a good marketing strategy early on.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Keep yourself centered in your faith. Get a network of business owners for support that you can talk to because everyone will not relate to your journey and what it takes to start a business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://www.cegbakery.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cegbakery/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceg_bakery_official/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CEG_Bakery

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.