Premier Custom Wedding Bakery - Chartier
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cindy Eberth, owner of Chartier, located in Calgary, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Chartier specializes in creative and delicious cakes and desserts with a focus on weddings. As a fully custom bakery, each and every dessert is designed with our client's style and personality in mind, so no two cakes are the same. We also specialize in sugar work, especially sugar flowers, which can look surprisingly real! Our tagline sums things up pretty well... Cakes personalized to perfection, Sugar flowers designed to be keepsakes, Baking that tastes as good as it looks!
Tell us about yourself
I had always baked a lot and started with creative cakes when my kids were young - which was a few years ago, lol. Family and friends had always urged me to start my own bakery. Five years ago, I finally leaped and started Chartier. It has been a learning experience for sure but so much fun to help people celebrate the special events in their lives!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
It has been great to watch the business grow, and hearing from couples how thrilled they were that we were part of their special day is always amazing. Being able to provide the quality and creativity that is valued by our clients has been a target that I am excited to reach more often than not.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Doing all of the other tedious jobs! Handling accounting, marketing, inventory, etc., etc. It would be so much easier just to be able to create beautiful wedding cakes!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Take the leap and follow your passion! It is cliché, but you won't know if you can do it until you try.
- However, do your research, too, because you do not want the added challenge of being one of many offering the same service.
- Customer service is at the heart of your business. I am always surprised at how many people thank me for replying so quickly and for being so helpful. This definitely goes a long way to gaining and retaining clients, and it's really not hard to just be nice!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Turn what you love doing into a business -- if you love doing it, you are more likely to succeed!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.chartieryyc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChartierSpecialtySweets/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chartieryyc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-eberth/
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.