Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Carla Buchler, owner of Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe, located in Arlington, VA, USA.

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

Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe started in 1975 making breads, pastries, cakes, and wedding cakes for Arlington and surrounding area residents. Now 47 years later, we are still making breads, pastries, cakes, and wedding cakes but for the children and grandchildren and sometimes even great-grandchildren of our original customers.

Tell us about yourself

Wolfgang and I have been operating the bakery since 1975. Chef Wolfgang Buchler started as a baker's apprentice for his uncle's bakery in Heidelberg, Germany. Wolfgang and other family members manage the production, and I run the retail side.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Our biggest accomplishment is that we are still going strong 47 years after first opening our doors. Of course, we have had challenges over the years with navigating the COVID pandemic being a prime example.

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

One of the hardest things to manage is pricing. We try hard to keep our prices reasonable but sometimes that makes it very difficult to compete against big-box stores. As a general policy, we always choose to make better quality products over competing with large production companies.

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

It takes hard work to start, run and grow a business. To successfully run a business requires dedication, long hours, sacrifice, and plenty of patience.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Running a business is not a solo project; it takes a team.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://heidelbergbakery.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeidelbergPastryShoppe/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidelbakery/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/heidelbakery

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.