Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Morgan Saridakis, owner of The Herbalist Bakery, located in Long Beach, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Herbalist Bakery is a woman-owned and operated business that specializes in gourmet specialty edibles that are dangerously delicious! Here at The Herbalist Bakery, my menu is carefully crafted with love so that every bite includes incredible potency without ever sacrificing the quality in flavor. In fact, although my edibles are infused with high levels of THC, the delicious taste disguises the amount of cannabis in my products. This makes my products dangerously delicious and will absolutely leave you wanting more.
Consistency is important to me, and I handle everything from start to finish. My items are made from scratch, which means I decarb the herb, infuse my own butter or oil-dependent upon the item, all the way down to the packaging of the products and shipping and handling. Custom orders are very popular at The Herbalist Bakery. Most recently, I was asked to create a replica of the Vince Lombardi Trophy for an upcoming Super Bowl media event.
I pride myself on being a one-woman show, and I am constantly striving to come up with new products that my clientele will love. Currently, some of the most popular items at The Herbalist Bakery are the Triple Layer Cookie Bar, Pecan Pie Bar, and Twix Brownie, which is a seasonal specialty item. I have an array of clientele ages ranging from 21 and up. From students trying to cope through college for stress or anxiety to retirees dealing with pain management. I can help you with any of your needs.
Tell us about yourself
A few years ago, my sister asked me if I had ever considered making edibles. Crafting meals and baked goods for others has always been my passion. I am known for throwing them down in the kitchen regardless of the occasion, dietary restrictions, etc. Initially, I wasn't interested since I personally am not a cannabis user.
However, in 2018 I was laid off from my job in the Mortgage Industry, and I didn't know what I was going to do or how I was going to pay my bills. So, I decided to bet on myself. I took money out of my 401k, so I could ultimately live and do something that would allow for me to become my own boss with hopes of creating financial freedom for myself.
I wanted it to be something that I truly loved to do, which is being in the kitchen. At that moment, The Herbalist Bakery was born. Within days, I hit the ground running, created my company name logo, and started researching how to make my own butter and oils to infuse my own recipes. After that, I started randomly meeting cannabis growers and others in this industry, which I took as a sign I was on the right path. I started making butter, baking, and testing my products by giving my friends and family goodies. They came back with rave reviews, and the rest is history.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Helping my clientele. I love receiving phone calls, emails, and social media posts from clients responding to how much they love my products. For example, I have a client whose husband passed. She hadn’t had a consistent sleep throughout the night in years, which I was unaware of at the time. She ordered my pecan pie bars and called me to put in a second order. Prior to ordering, she went on to tell me how my products are the only thing that has been able to relax her and allowed her to get a full night’s sleep in 4 years. That completely filled me with joy. It’s moments like this that genuinely warm my heart.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Self-doubt. You will question if it’s worth your time, energy, blood, sweat, and tears to continue venturing down the path of entrepreneurship. People around you will doubt you or think you’re crazy, but I promise you, keep doing you. You may need to restructure the blueprint several times, and you will become discouraged while doing it, but trust me, it is worth it.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
First, do something you truly love to do. They say if you are doing something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. Second, dare to dream, dream big, and take risks. Without risk, there is no reward. There is no limit to what you can accomplish. You just need to put your mind to it and the action behind it. Third, do not be scared to fail. You will fail. We all do. It just comes with the territory, but get back up, dust yourself off, and persevere through. You got this!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I am a healer at heart, and serving others is my superpower. Whether you are looking for help with pain management, managing depression, anxiety, insomnia, or just an escape, my edibles are unlike any others out there, and I am here to help!
I am so grateful for all of my clients. Upon your first purchase, you are automatically enrolled in my referral program. Each time you refer a friend that purchases from The Herbalist Bakery, you receive a credit towards your next purchase as a thank you.
You can catch The Herbalist Bakery in the LA area and Las Vegas, as I have a few pop-up events in the works for 2022. In the meantime, the quickest way to get your hands on my dangerously delicious edibles is to follow me on Instagram @theherbalistbakery.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.theherbalistbakery.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theherbalistbakery/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-saridakis-a9a1a018/
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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