Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Keturah Fleming-Hall, pastry chef, and owner of La Fillette Bakery, located in Denver, CO, USA.

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

We are a French-inspired from scratch bakery. We pride ourselves in using seasonal produce and the labor of love that is a croissant. It takes three days from start to finish- a perfectly baked croissant. We are expanding our menu to more Brunch items. We are working on needed items now and can't wait to spare them with our dedicated regulars! We currently are in the Hilltop neighborhood and have the best customers. Some have been coming for almost seven years and constantly meeting new customers daily. We also LOVE dogs...so there is a soft spot for our customers' furry friends!

Tell us about yourself

I was born in Denver but grew up mostly in Philly. East coast through and through. I have worked in the resultant industry since 14 years old. Server, Bartender, and transitioned into the kitchen. I've always loved baking. My Gram was always baking bread, cinnamon twists, and pies. I went to business school and got a degree in business but never loved any of the positions I held. I moved back to Denver 8 years ago for a change of pace. I went to culinary school, worked in a few kitchens, and then started La Fillette Bakery. I love what I do. I'm passionate about the quality of pastries, bread, and croissants we put out daily. We have the best crew; this makes my life easier! We are a little family with aligned passions. Seeing the growth over the last seven years is still mind-blowing to me. The first three years were tough. Making it through a pandemic and coming out on top has really given me perspective. We are expanding, adding new items and new locations. This is what keeps me going. My passion, my gratitude to the crew, and my friends, family, and customer support.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Our biggest accomplishment is our quality. It makes it easy to stand behind a product that you have poured so much time, energy, and love into. We make things we like. Things we want to eat. Things that are hard to find in the growing city of Denver.

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

The hardest thing for me as a business owner is the grind. Being an owner and a baker is the hardest part. I would love to spend all my time creating new pastry items and testing out new recipes, but there is a lot of paperwork. There are a lot of emails. There are a lot of everyday restaurant issues that need to be taken care of. The hardest part is juggling everything and making sure the crew has what they need from me.

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

  1. This is hard. Make sure you have the stamina to survive the first few years. I spent 100 hours a week in the bakery and even slept there.
  2. Find the right people to put in your corner. My husband came on board three years ago. He had the savory experience I was missing. Twenty-five years as a chef, he has changed our savory program into something I'm extremely proud of. I hired a bread bakery that has turned out to be an amazing kitchen manager. Patrick is patient, exact, and always has my back. I hired a front-of-the-house guru and operation manager. Kristen has changed the face of the front, killed it with social media, redid our website, and is helping me grow our business on every avenue.
  3. Be your biggest critic. There will be highs and lows. People will love what you are doing, and they will also criticize you. Don't listen to the noise. Stay focused on what matters. Let the rest go.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.lafillettebakery.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lafillettedenver/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lafillette_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.

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