Happiness Starts Here - Culinary Combo Bakery

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jodie Polk, pastry chef, and owner of Culinary Combo Bakery, located in Southfield, MI, USA.

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

I own a bakery with my daughter Jessica. We offer a full line of baked goods along with gift baskets and boxes, plus an extensive catering menu. With a large online presence as well as our year-old brick and mortar, CCB has customers who live a few minutes away or across the country.

Tell us about yourself

Over thirty years ago, my husband Jim and I started our catering company. After his death from pancreatic cancer, my daughter left her job as a product photographer to become my business partner in Culinary Combo Bakery. My motivation has and always will be making my late husband proud, as well as my circle of friends and family who have supported this venture.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is opening my first brick-and-mortar during the pandemic and surviving the first year despite COVID.

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

The hardest thing about being a business owner is the enormous responsibility that comes with owning your own business, combined with the number of hours you must dedicate to making your business a success.

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

First, love what you do because you will do it for the rest of your life. Second, be prepared to work every single day of the week because there is always something that needs to be done. Third, forget absentee ownership and be present as much as possible.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Don't ever give up on your dreams, no matter how bad things get, because #happinessstartshere

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.theculinarycombo.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CulinaryComboBakery
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culinarycombobakery/

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.