Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cara Vasquez, pastry chef, and owner of The Flour Shop Bakery, located in Flower Mound, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Flour Shop is a retail/wholesale bakery located in Flower Mound, TX. We have been serving southern Denton County and surrounding areas for ten years with delicious desserts made from scratch and freshly baked daily. We recently added espresso drinks to our menu; we get our beans from Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters, and we even make all of our syrups in-house. Our mission is to provide a safe space that promotes individuality and creativity for both our team members and customers. We've spent the last year rebranding/redecorating and have even more changes coming soon!
Tell us about yourself
After high school, I attended culinary school and quickly got my first baking job in Dallas. I immediately fell in love and knew I would spend my life baking. I worked for a family-owned restaurant in Dallas for ten years as a baker and bakery manager. I also had a few side gigs here and there baking or decorating to explore other areas of the industry.
I knew fairly early on that my goal was to open my own bakery, but I also knew I needed to gain experience first. I'm thankful that I did. I'm motivated by all the possibilities we have and potential growth. I'm also motivated by wanting to provide better-paying jobs for my team and tougher regulations for my industry.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is being a business owner, providing jobs for my community, and having the ability to give back. The "icing on the cake" is that we've been successful for over ten years. (pun intended) All the other accomplishments, I don't believe, are mine alone. I do this with a team of talented people, and each one brings something unique. It takes a village from the bakers to the baristas, the dishwashers to the accountants. Our team has changed many times over ten years, but each one of them played a part in our success then and today.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Back to that team, I was telling you about. For me, managing different personalities has been the most challenging part of being a business owner.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Gain experience by working for someone else for at least five years. It could take longer.
- Be prepared to work a lot more hours than you think you will.
- Hire the right people. You can't do it alone forever; a strong team is vital to your success and well-being.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://theflour.shop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourshoptx
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourshoptx/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-vasquez-81a92516/
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.