Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Megan Baker, founder of Thirsty Whale Bakery, located in Minneapolis, MN.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Thirsty Whale Bakery is a custom cake shop and bakery servicing the local community. We pride ourselves in making life’s special moments extra memorable with unforgettable sweets.
Tell us about yourself
Kyle & I started working in the industry just by happenstance. I fell into pastry after making a panic career decision after high school, and Kyle was offered a bakery position at a local grocery store after working in other departments! Luckily it worked out for us.
Kyle is extremely skilled at baking after his years in the industry and my artistic side give me a creative edge in making our sweets beautiful. We’re lucky enough to have each other to motivate us in business. We’re always trying to do our best for each other and make each other proud. Then we show off each other’s work. I don’t think either of us could have done it without the other.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Kyle and I won the National Cake decorating competition as a team in 2017 which was incredible. But overall, I have to say that just doing the damn thing, and opening a shop in itself was our biggest accomplishment. It’s insanely hard, and not for the faint of heart. It took 80+ hour weeks, a massive drive, and for a long time it essentially just took over our lives. Looking back, I don't know how we did it without going insane. We were very lucky to have a large support from the get go.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest part of owning a business is the actual business side of thing. There is so much more to it then making a cupcake and taking someone’s money. There is always a code to pass, taxes to figure out, inspections need to be met… the last goes on. As a creative type mind I often struggle with the aspects of running a shop. I’m very lucky to have my husband who takes the lead on those things. To someone who may be wanting to start their own; identify your strengths and weaknesses, and either select a perfect business partner, or find a team to help manage your personal weaknesses. It makes all the difference.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1. Don't start the process until you’re in a good place. Most start ups will take everything you’ve got. Go into the process happy, and ready to succeed. If there is anything holding you back, it will.
2. When you get discouraged and you’re ready to throw the towel in, push through. You’d be surprise how a HUGE problem, can seem so insignificant once you get through it.
3. Do what makes you happy. The business is only going to truly thrive, if it’s something that brings you joy and that your passionate about. For us, its the little kid that screams in excitement when they see their birthday cake.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Find a team who becomes family. Those who go to work because they care and want to do well for themselves and for the business.
The only way to do that, is if you treat them like family, respect them, and pay them what they’re truly worth. I can personally guarantee that my head baker, who gets a raise every time we can give her one, and we constantly are thanking for everything she does, will care 10 fold over someone who is getting paid minimum wage and is unappreciated. You get what you give.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.thirstywhalebakery.com
https://www.instagram.com/thirstywhalebakery/
https://www.facebook.com/thirstywhalebakery/
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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