Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarah Stadnyk, founder of Just Baked, located in Calgary, AB, Canada.

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

Just Baked is a bakeshop located in Calgary, AB. We make a new unique product called "cake jars" which are reusable glass jars layered with freshly baked cake, icings, and fillings. We make everything in small batches with high-quality local ingredients, including Foothills creamery butter that is made here in Calgary.

We are definitely not your average cake shop. We offer unique flavours and also ship our products to multiple parts of Canada. You can order online for local Calgary pick up and delivery, or you can get your cake jars shipped right to your door if you live in AB, SASK, or BC. We also now stock our cake jars in nine retail locations in Calgary and surrounding areas such as Okotoks and Drayton Valley.

Tell us about yourself

Just Baked was born in 2019 by myself (Sarah Stadnyk) out of love and passion for baking cakes. When I started my business, I was making custom cakes made to order. I soon realized that making cakes and various treats on my own was not only hard work - but I couldn't keep up and dreamed of being in retail stores one day.

After many trials and errors along with designing, we came up with our version of the "cake jar" and have been making our cake jars for almost two years now. We now have two part-time employees along with myself to keep up with demand.

What motivates me is seeing this business grow and, of course, working for myself. I am quite bossy and never worked well for others, so working for myself and making a cake (which is what I love to make most) is the best of both worlds combined.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment would have to be growing my small home bakery business from the ground up to one that now has two part-time employees and stocks our products in local retail stores. I never imagined I would be in retail stores in less than two years of being in business. It's a dream come true to keep growing that side of the company.

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

One of the hardest things about being a business owner and working for yourself is never having a "normal" life again. There are no more days off; I work every single day, whether baking in the kitchen, stocking retail stores, sourcing supplies, or doing computer tasks. It is a lot of work, and although I love it, it's only natural it can get tiring, and you can get burnt out. Learning to take a step back and breaks whenever you can is important.

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

  1. Just do it. If you don't jump - you never will. And if you never do it, then you will never know what you are truly made of.
  2. Make sure taking care of yourself always stays a top priority. There are weeks I skip working out, eating well, or taking care of myself because we are way too busy. But at the end of the day, YOU are your business, so you should always come first.
  3. Business connections are key, along with social media. Reach out to other businesses, don't be afraid to approach them or anyone as the worst they can say is no. I found over half my retail locations from connecting with them on social media platforms. Utilize free marketing as much as possible!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Believe in yourself and be confident in the product or service you provide. There is no one out there quite like you, and the world needs more people who let their inner light shine!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.justbakedyyc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustBakedYYC/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbakedyyc/

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.