Running a small business is full of ebbs and flows. Some seasons will be prosperous while others will feel like you’re in the middle of Death Valley praying for someone to come and save you. But one of the things small business owners don’t really talk about is difficult customers. Sure, they’ll complain about them to their spouses or friends and family, BUT no one ever really talks about how to deal with them. While they are only a SMALL portion of your overall clientele, they can ruin your day (sometimes weeks for that matter)! This blog is all about helping you, the small business owner, turn those tough customer moments into growth opportunities.

Let’s dive in…

Know Your Difficult Customers

First up, let's talk about who these difficult customers are. They come in all shapes and sizes - the indecisive ones, the hard bargainers, the complainers, and the know-it-alls. Getting to know their quirks and what makes them tick can help you respond better. For example, complainers ofte...

Starting your own business can be a rewarding yet challenging journey, especially when it comes to marketing. One of the first hurdles is identifying and attracting those elusive dream customers who not only love what you offer but are also eager to buy it. For small business owners, entrepreneurs, and especially the hardworking women in business and mompreneurs, knowing how to resonate with your target audience can make all the difference. But the big question is - how do you find these customers?

Understanding Your Dream Customer

Imagine your dream client. If I told you that I was building your DREAM business tomorrow... And you were going to grand open in one month, what would you do to attract customers? Before you can captivate your ideal clients, you must first understand the mindset of your dream customers. And getting into this mindset requires thoughtful consideration of their needs, desires, and pain points. I would also ask WHAT type of customer do YOU as a business owner ...

It's no surprise that MONEY and the BAKING INDUSTRY are big hot topics. I think it's mostly because our industry is comprised of people who LOVE what they are doing, have stumbled into this passion, and have decided to turn it into a business. The problem is they love what they get to do but they don't have that same passion for numbers and math. So, if you start a business without having the business knowledge, or background, and you really don't like numbers, it's going to be HARD for you to sell your products and make money! That's why I wanna share my story with you about how I make 6-figures in my bakery business and what you can do to achieve the same! Because let's be real... what's available to me is possible for you TOO! Let's get into it!

Before 6-figures...

It wasn't EASY at all. When I started my bakery, I had just filed for bankruptcy. So I couldn't find funding or take out loans. Banks saw my bankruptcy from my past and thought I was too much of a risk. So I started, un...

Hey there, bakery owners! Valentine's Day is like our own personal Super Bowl, right? Heart-shaped EVERYTHANG, working til 3 am every night...it's a wild time. But after the last heart cake is sold and the Valentine's Day rush is over, it's super important to REST, reflect, and get back into a routine. So, let's talk about why investing in REST is super important for your bakery’s success!

First up, we need to REFLECT! Think back on the craziness leading up to Valentine's Day. What worked? What didn't? Any unexpected bumps along the way? Any customers say something that made you go "hmm"? This is your chance to learn from the past and set yourself up for greater success. This is the time for you to really dive deep and think about how you felt during this runway and what the data says. Did you feel overwhelmed? Tired? Confused? Frustrated? Energized? Excited? Was there a post on social media that went viral or got a ton of engagement? Was there a specific email newsletter that got a t...

What’s this got to do with entrepreneurship??... LOTS! I promise.

Listen, this is gonna be a really vulnerable post. But I’m putting it out there for all the ladies who follow me, both young and mature, it doesn’t matter what age you are, this is information YOU NEED TO KNOW and be prepared for!

A little context…

In 2018 I was 39 and my monthly periods changed drastically… I developed severe cramps, heavy flow (like never before), clotting, major bloating, and lots of other issues. This sparked a 2-year long journey of trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I share the entire story on this episode of my podcast. Trust me, you should grab a girlfriend, and your spouse, and go listen to it now!

Long story short, in 2021, I had a partial hysterectomy. And by the end of 2023, I had trouble regulating my body temperature, which is one of the signs of menopause. However, several doctors told me I was “too young” to be experiencing menopause symptoms. They were wrong.

Immediately a...

In recent years, the trend of home-based businesses has skyrocketed, with many individuals pursuing their passions alongside their regular jobs. One that has gained significant popularity is operating a home bakery business. It’s low barrier to entry, and it doesn’t require a TON of skill right off the bat. However, the reality of managing a home bakery, as well as any side hustle, alongside a day job can be challenging. So, inside this blog, I wanna explore some practical tips on how to effectively operate a home bakery business while balancing the demands of a full-time job.

Understanding Capacity:

Before going all into your home bakery business, it's crucial to understand your INDIVIDUAL capacity. Capacity refers to the maximum amount of work or output that an individual or business can handle effectively. Everyone's capacity is different, influenced by factors such as time availability, skill level, and resources. An example of this would be someone in their 20s who is just pursu...

Hey friends! If you've been following my blog, or on social, you know that I've recently taken on a new challenge: starting a "fictitious bracelet" business (more real than fictitious) to share valuable insights with all of you who are just starting their business journey, or who have a side hustle, or are thinking about getting into the world of entrepreneurship. In this blog, I'm excited to update you on the progress of my NEW venture and share the steps I've taken to set up this business in 2024, SO FAR…

For the first 3 DAYS… As with any new business or idea, it was all about research. I spent HOURS on HOURS researching everything there is to know about the jewelry industry, an industry I don’t know ANYTHING about! But because I’m a recovering perfectionist and I can’t do anything half-ass, I’m diving ALL INTO bringing this fictitious business to life- from building an audience on social, creating a brand, selling on Etsy, and even participating in events. The first crucial step wa...

What if started a FULL BLOWN, brand new BUSINESS, and took you along every step of the way… Would you take me up on that?

Let me rewind a bit…

In December, my daughter Jordan came home for Christmas after spending her first semester of college in London. Knowing that she’s a college student and doesn’t have a TON of her own money, I decided to gift her a TON of beads (you know… those “Taylor Swift” friendship bracelets) so she could make bracelets for her friends and family as Christmas gifts.

She LOVED the idea and we got BUSY make a sh*t ton of bracelets and keychains for her friends, our family, and I even made some for our neighbors. Everyone we gave them to was so OBSESSED with them so we spent the majority of her Christmas break making bracelets together.

Well, after she went back to London for school, I had TONS of beads just sitting on my kitchen table and I had no idea what I was gonna do with them all UNTIL I had this idea.

I thought to myself, what if I could turn this ...

Valentine's Day is one of the most anticipated holidays for bakers. It’s basically our SUPER BOWL! It gives bakers an opportunity to showcase their creativity and to MAXIMIZE in their profits. But let's be real, it's not always easy to get your business noticed during the busiest season of the year, especially when your competitors aren’t doing the SAME exact thing as you. Pricing and marketing play a HUGE role in gaining traction and success during Valentine's Day. If you're a baker wondering why your sales haven’t taken off during this season or you're new to the game and wondering what to do, then keep on reading because I've got some tips for you.

Your PRICING is ruining your sales!

One of the most common mistakes bakers make during Valentine’s Day is pricing their products wrong. For instance, bakers fail to account for their cost of labor and resources. They fail to consider the time, effort, and money invested in their business, which means they don’t price their products appr...

If you have a passion for baking, you’ve probably played with the idea of starting your own baking business. You’ve likely done some research, have been baking for friends and family, have some return customers. Yet, despite all this, you’re questioning getting started because you don’t know if it’s possible to make a decent income from selling cakes. Let me tell you, it is! But it’s important to approach this from a business perspective, not just a baking one. In this blog we’ll explore the viability of making money in the baking industry, categorizing business owners into stages, and provide tips for maximizing profits. Ready? Let’s get into it…

Beginner Stage: You’re focused on building your skills and your portfolio but aren’t making any money!

When you first start out, your focus is likely going to be on building your skills. However, one of the BIGGEST issues I see for bakers first starting out is they ignore the COST it takes to run a business. PLEASE, don't ignore your number...