Shows / The Bread Winner Podcast
The Bread Winner Podcast
Welcome to The Bread Winner Podcast, the show for microbakery owners who want to create a successful microbakery without spending every waking minute in the kitchen. I'm Caroline Bower, and I bake over 100 loaves a week from my home while still getting 8 hours of sleep and having time to be fully present in the important moments with my family. If you're looking to build a thriving sourdough business from your home, you're in the right place. Every Thursday, I'll be sharing new episodes packed…
Episodes
- The Bread Winner Podcast
146. How to Plan a Sourdough Workshop: Class Size, Helpers and Pricing
Last week I walked you through my whole sourdough class, start to finish. This week, part two of the series, I am answering the questions I get asked the most…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
145. How to Teach a Sourdough Workshop, Start to Finish
For a long time, I did not think I was allowed to teach a sourdough class. I am completely self-taught, I have never taken a baking class in my life, and I had…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
144. Meal Prep for Microbakery Owners, with Cassy Joy Garcia
The simplest way to do meal prep when you run a microbakery is one short prep day where you cook three things at once: a pork shoulder in the slow cooker, a…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
143. How to Get Seen Locally Before Your Holiday Pre-Orders Open
Thanksgiving is so late this year that between Small Business Saturday and Christmas, you have exactly 27 days to sell. There is no time inside that window to…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
142. The 4-Question Framework for Choosing Any Market or Event
In my very first holiday season, I said yes to opening day at a pumpkin patch because I was sure it would be packed. I sat there for nine hours in the…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
141. 3 Ways to Make Money Beyond Baking Bread
Online revenue follows an audience. It does not go out and build you one. That is the part the internet conveniently leaves out. This week I am answering a…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
140. Am I the Bottleneck in My Own Bakery?
I am still the one doing every single 4 a.m. morning. I am still the primary production baker in my own bakery. And somewhere in the last six months I realized…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
139. Is Sourdough Still Growing? Here's What the Data Says
If you asked me whether ingredient costs have gone up across the board the last few years, I would have said yes without a second thought, and I would have had…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
138. 9 Things I'm Doing in August to Prep for the Holidays
There is a two-gallon jar in my bakery right now full of vanilla beans and cheap vodka, with a piece of masking tape on the lid that just says December. It is…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
137. What Every Home Baker Needs to Know About Cottage Food Laws Right Now
Did you know that up until the fall of 2021, selling a loaf of bread you baked in your own kitchen was completely illegal in New Jersey? Not just restricted —…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
136. What I Wish I Knew Before I Started Selling Sourdough Bread
Two years of the Bread Winner Podcast, and the episode you keep coming back to is the one where I looked back at my very first year in business. So I am…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
135. Seven Steps to Owning the Value of Your Microbakery Business
If you have ever answered the question "so what do you do?" with "I just have a little sourdough business" — this episode is for you. This is one of my most…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
134. How to Use Text Marketing to Grow Your Sourdough Microbakery
I have been talking about Project Broadcast on this podcast for years — and in this episode, I finally got to sit down with the CEO himself, Jake Dempsey, for…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
133. The 4 Things to Do Before Selling Your Sourdough Bread (A Listener Favorite, Revisited)
It's the two-year birthday month of the Bread Winner Podcast — and I am celebrating from the road! My family and I are on an epic three-week road trip this…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
132. Handing the Mic to My Kids: What It's Really Like to Have a Baker for a Mom
This episode is one of my favorites I've ever recorded — and I think you're going to love it too. I handed the mic to my two kids, Jamey and Lila, and we had…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
131. How to Get Moving Again After a Big Push in Your Sourdough Microbakery
The Bread Winner Summit was incredible — and then I crashed. In this episode, I'm getting really honest about what happens after we give everything to…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
130. Your Questions, My Answers: Live Q&A from the Bread Winner Summit
If you've ever wished you could sit in on a real, unfiltered business conversation with me, this episode is exactly that. I'm pulling back the curtain and…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
129. Why the Bread Winner Summit Matters So Much
In this short episode, I’m sharing why I believe the Bread Winner Summit is so much more than just another online business event for bakers. As I’ve been…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
128. How to Navigate Summer as a Sourdough Micro Bakery Owner
In this episode, I’m talking all about navigating the transition into summer as a sourdough micro bakery owner and why this season can feel both exciting and…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
127. The Best Marketing Strategy for Sourdough Micro Bakeries
In this episode, I’m walking you through the three marketing channels I truly believe matter most for sourdough micro bakeries—and why trying to be everywhere…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
126. The Power of Personal Connection in Your Bakery Business
In this episode, I’m sharing one of the simplest shifts I’ve made in my bakery that has had a surprisingly powerful impact—and it has nothing to do with my…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
125. Hobby Baker vs Business Owner: The Shift That Changes Everything
In this episode, I’m talking about one of the most important shifts you can make in your sourdough micro bakery—and it has nothing to do with your recipe, your…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
124. The Marketing Mistake That’s Keeping Your Sourdough Microbakery Invisible
In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most common frustrations I hear from sourdough micro bakery owners—feeling like your marketing just isn’t working…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
123. The Hidden Bottlenecks Slowing Down Your Sourdough Microbakery
In this episode, I’m talking about something that almost every sourdough micro bakery owner runs into at some point—bottlenecks. Those moments where everything…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
122. My Forno Bread Oven Review After 4 Months
In this episode, I’m sharing an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s been like transitioning from a home oven setup to a dedicated bread oven in my…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
121. The Plateau Phase in Your Micro Bakery (And What to Do Next)
In this episode, I’m talking about something that almost every sourdough micro bakery owner experiences at some point, but we don’t often say out loud—the…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
120. Why KPIs Matter in Your Sourdough Micro Bakery Business (Part 3)
In this episode, we’re wrapping up our three-part series on KPIs for sourdough micro bakery owners by talking about the how—how to actually look at your data…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
119. Why KPIs Matter in Your Sourdough Micro Bakery Business (Part 2)
In this episode, I’m continuing our three-part series on KPIs for sourdough micro bakery owners, and today we’re getting practical. Last week we talked about…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
118. Why KPIs Matter in Your Sourdough Micro Bakery Business (Part 1)
In this episode, I’m inviting you to step out of the kitchen and into the boardroom with me. If you’re selling bread to real people and taking real money in…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
117. January Microbakery Recap: Revenue, Workshops, and What’s Actually Working
In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my January and sharing what the numbers, the menu, and the day‑to‑day realities of brick‑and‑mortar life…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
116. The Simple Review System That Keeps My Bakery Running Smoothly
In this episode, I’m walking you through the monthly check-in rhythm I use to keep my business grounded, focused, and burnout-proof. If you’ve ever found…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
115. How I'm Planning My Weekly Menu in My Sourdough Microbakery in 2026.
In this episode, I’m continuing our January series by walking through how I’ve completely rethought my menu planning for the year ahead. If you’ve ever felt…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
114. Year-Long Planning for Micro Bakers
In this episode of The Breadwinner Podcast, we’re kicking off the new year by zooming out and looking at the big picture. January is naturally a slower month…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
113. December Recap & 2026 Kickoff: What Worked, What Didn't, and What's Next
Welcome to the very first episode of 2026! I’m so excited to be back behind the mic and kicking off the year with you. In this episode, I’m reflecting on the…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
112. Pause, Reflection, and Legacy in 2025
Hello my friend, and welcome to the final episode of 2025. This isn’t a traditional year-in-review episode—it’s more of an invitation to pause, to breathe, and…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
111. Hiring an Assistant for a Burnout Proof Bakery
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have an assistant in your microbakery—or if you’re feeling overwhelmed and know you need help but don’t know…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
110. November in Review: From Home Bakery to Brick & Mortar
November was one of the wildest months I’ve ever walked through, and in this episode, I’m inviting you behind the scenes to hear the full recap—what worked…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
109. Week One in the New Bakery: Behind the Scenes of My First Commercial Space
This episode is a behind-the-scenes peek at my very first week in the new commercial bakery space. I’m walking you through the move from home to…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
108. My October Recap: Product Experiments, Revenue, and Reflection
October was a full and fulfilling month in my bakery—one that reminded me why slowing down to reflect is just as important as pushing forward. In this month’s…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
107. The Market Series, Part 3: How to Make Your Booth Stand Out
In this final episode of my three-part series on sourdough markets, we’re diving into one of my favorite parts—booth setup and presentation. If you’ve ever…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
106. The Market Series, Part 2: How to Prep, Plan, and Bake for Farmers Markets Without Burning Out
Join the Holiday Accelerator HERE! http://www.carolinebower.com/holidayaccelerator In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most common questions I get from…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
105. The Market Series, Part 1: How to Choose the Right Market for Your Sourdough Microbakery
Join the Holiday Accelerator HERE! http://www.carolinebower.com/holidayaccelerator In this episode, I’m diving into one of my favorite topics—farmers markets…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
104. How to Prepare for a Profitable and Burnout-Free Q4 in Your Microbakery
Join the Holiday Accelerator HERE! http://www.carolinebower.com/holidayaccelerator This time of year can get overwhelming fast—but it doesn’t have to. In this…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
103. September Microbakery Recap: Behind the Numbers and the Lessons Learned
This month-in-review is a real behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep a sourdough microbakery going strong through a full season of life. Between…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
102. How to Recognize and Prevent Burnout in Your Microbakery Business
I’m pulling back the curtain today for a very real and honest conversation about burnout. In this season of my life and business, I’ve been stretched thin and…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
101. The Power of Scarcity in a Microbakery
This week I’m digging into a topic that has made a huge difference in how I run my bakery: scarcity. But not in a manipulative or high-pressure way—we’re…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
100. How to Pay Yourself $1K a Month From Your Micro Bakery (Part 2)
It’s hard to believe we’ve made it to episode 100 of the Bread Winner Podcast. What a journey it's been—over a year of showing up weekly to help you build a…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
99. August Microbakery Recap: Revenue, Top Sellers, Storefront Prep & What’s Next
In this episode, I’m bringing you behind the scenes of what August looked like in my microbakery—from market days to revenue breakdowns, product wins, flops…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
98. (Part 1 of 2) How to Pay Yourself $1,000/Month from Your Microbakery
This episode has been on my heart (and in my notes) for a long time, and I’m so excited to finally share it with you. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
97. When a good baker has a bad bake day. What to do as a sourdough microbakery owner
Bad bake days happen to all of us—yes, even the most seasoned sourdough bakers. In this episode, I’m opening up about what to do when a bake flops, whether…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
96. My Real-Life Morning & Evening Routine as a Microbakery Owner
In this episode, I’m diving into something that might seem simple on the surface but has made a huge impact in my life as a baker, business owner, and mom…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
95. July in Review: Summer Slowdown on Purpose & HUGE News!
This month’s Bread Winner Podcast episode is one of my favorite types of episodes—the month in review. These monthly check-ins give me space to reflect on what…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
94. Test, Tweak, Repeat: A Smarter Way to Grow Your Sourdough Microbakery
In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I’m diving into one of my favorite topics—how to improve your products without falling into the trap of…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
93. How to Create a Signature Product for Your Sourdough Microbakery
In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, we're diving into one of my favorite ways to bring clarity, ease, and identity to your sourdough microbakery—your…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
92. How to Decide If Organic Ingredients Are Right for Your Sourdough Microbakery
In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, we're digging into one of those questions that comes up so often for sourdough bakers: Should you use organic…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
91. 4 Ways to Turn Pickup Day Into a Marketing Opportunity for your Sourdough Microbakery
Have you ever thought about how your pickup experience shapes your customers’ perception of your bakery? In this episode, I’m walking you through why your…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
90. June in Review in my Sourdough Microbakery: Revenue Records and Strategic Takeaways
June was a big month around here—both in terms of revenue and lessons learned. With just three bake days, I broke my market sales record and tried out some key…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
89. 5 Ways to Grow your Sourdough Microbakery Without Social Media
In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I'm diving into five practical, low-pressure ways to grow your microbakery business—without relying on social…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
88. How to Use SEO to Grow Your Sourdough Microbakery
If SEO makes your eyes glaze over, you're not alone. But here's the truth—if you're running a sourdough microbakery, especially from home, local SEO can be one…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
87. Business Terms Every Microbakery Owner Should Know
In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I’m breaking down the essential business terms that every sourdough microbakery owner should understand—without…