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
86. May Microbakery Recap: What Worked, What Shifted
May was one of those months that felt full—in a good way. Between markets, porch pickups, and the usual busyness of family life at the end of the school year…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
85. The 4 Things to Do Before Selling Your Sourdough Bread
🥖🏆 The Bread Winner Inner Circle is finally open for the next cohort! With just 30 spots, it'll fill fast! Click here for the details and to sign up!…
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84. The Summer Slowdown: Is it Real? How to Plan for the summer for your sourdough microbakery
Summer in a microbakery brings all kinds of changes—both in customer behavior and in our own capacity. In this episode, I’m walking you through the shifts I’m…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
83. Growing a Microbakery with Intention: Reflections from Year Two
In this episode, I’m sharing what year two of running a sourdough microbakery has looked like—from the internal mindset shifts to the practical systems that…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
82. Building a Microbakery from the Ground Up: Looking Back at Year One
In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on my very first year of running a sourdough microbakery—sharing everything I…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
81. April In Review: Wins, Lessons & What’s Next
April was a whirlwind in the bakery, and in this episode, I’m sitting down to reflect on what worked, what I learned, and how I’m setting myself up for May and…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
80. Finding Your Bakery Niche: A Talk with Elizabeth from Borges Family Homestead
In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I’m joined by Elizabeth from Borges Family Homestead to talk about the power of niching down in your microbakery…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
79. Bonus Q&A: Answering Your Most-Asked Microbakery Questions
In this episode, I’m bringing you behind the scenes into something really special—a bonus Q&A call that I hosted right after The Bread Winner Summit. The…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
78. Burnout and Boundaries: a Talk with Christa Hanna
If you’ve ever felt like your business was running your life instead of the other way around, you are going to feel so seen in this episode. I’m talking with…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
77. Five Mindset Shifts Every Microbakery Owner Needs
After the incredible energy of the Breadwinner Summit, I’m diving into one of the most important themes that came up over and over again: mindset. This isn’t…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
76. How to Get the Most Out of the Bread Winner Summit
If the idea of attending a two-day summit sounds a little overwhelming right now, this conversation is for you. In this episode, I’m walking you through…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
75. A Sneak Peek at The Bread Winner Summit
We are just one week away from The Bread Winner Summit, and in this episode, I’m giving you a special sneak peek into what you can expect. I’ve pulled together…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
74. The Bread Winner Summit: Behind the Scenes & What to Expect
In this special episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of something I’ve been pouring my heart into for months - The Bread Winner Summit! This is the…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
73. March in Review: Markets, Mindset, and Moving Forward
March was full of growth, challenges, and a few big steps forward in my business—and in this month-in-review episode, I’m bringing you behind the scenes. I’m…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
72. Mindset, Motherhood & Microbakery Growth. Building a Sourdough Business Amidst Health Challenges with Whitney Ivy
In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Whitney Ivy, founder of Southern Bread Company, homeschool mom, and microbakery owner, to talk about her incredible…
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71. Don’t Take It Personally: What to do When a Regular Customer Disappears | Microbakery Mindset
As microbakery owners, it’s easy to take everything personally—especially when a regular customer suddenly stops ordering. In this episode, I’m sharing a…
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70. Building a Strong Local Presence for Your Sourdough Microbakery – With Kayce Boksa @trailsendbread
Making sure your community knows you exist is one of the most important parts of growing a microbakery. In this episode, I sit down with Kayce from Trails End…
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69. 10 Creative Ways to Collaborate with Local Businesses & Grow Your Sourdough Microbakery
Collaborating with local businesses is one of the best ways to grow your microbakery, connect with your community, and create exciting new opportunities. In…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
68. Sourdough, Homeschooling & Saying No—Lessons from Kellie Wolf of Gloria Grain Bread
Balancing a thriving bakery business while homeschooling young children is no small feat, but Kelly Wolf of Gloria Grain Bread has found a way to make it work…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
67. Burnout-Proof Your Bakery: Daily and Weekly Rhythms for Sourdough Business Success
Your energy is your most valuable business asset, and protecting it is the key to building a sustainable microbakery. In this episode of The Bread Winner…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
66. From Homesteader to Microbakery Owner: Angela’s Journey
This episode is packed with inspiration, resilience, and the power of making big things happen in small spaces. I sit down with Angela De Krieger of Singing…
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65. February in Review: Lessons, Wins & What’s Next for My Microbakery
February was a month of growth, adjustments, and big decisions in my microbakery. In this episode, I’m reflecting on what worked well, what needed tweaking…
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64. How to Create a Memorable Sourdough MicroBakery Brand (Even If You're DIYing It!) with Designer Nat Alves
Branding for Microbakeries: How to Stand Out & Tell Your Story with Nat Alves Branding is so much more than just a logo—it's the personality and emotional…
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63. Microbakery Financials Made Simple: What Every Baker Should Know
Pricing, bookkeeping, and tax prep aren’t exactly the most exciting parts of running a microbakery—but they are essential to building a profitable and…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
62. Growing a Microbakery While Raising a Family: A Coaching Session
Balancing a growing microbakery with motherhood is no small task, and in this episode, I sit down with Melissa Crow of Crow’s Dough to work through the…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
61. The Power of Repeat Customers: How to Build a Sustainable Microbakery
Keeping customers coming back is one of the most powerful ways to build a sustainable microbakery. In this episode, I dive into why repeat customers are a…
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60. Creating a Sustainable Microbakery: Why You Can’t Keep Every Product Forever
Letting go of a product from your menu can feel personal, especially when you've put time and heart into it. But sometimes, a product just isn't…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
59. Customer Service Challenges Every Microbakery Owner Faces (and How to Solve Them)
Customer service challenges are inevitable in any business, but handling them with confidence, kindness, and clarity can turn a difficult situation into a…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
58. Inside the Mind of a Market Organizer: What Sourdough Vendors Need to Know
Ever wondered what it takes to thrive at a farmers' market—not just as a vendor, but as an organizer? In this episode, I sit down with Ashley , the mastermind…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
57. What Worked (and What Didn’t) in My Sourdough Microbakery This Month | January in Review
Welcome back to The Bread Winner Podcast! In this episode, I’m reflecting on January—what went well, what didn’t, and the lessons I’m carrying forward into…
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56. How to Sell More Sourdough: Messaging That Sells with Maria Baradell
Ever feel like you're shouting into the void when promoting your microbakery? In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I chat with Maria Baradell, a…
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55. Seven Things I've Learned about Baking Sourdough Bread in Bulk
In this episode, I’m sharing everything I've learned about art of bulk baking. This episode is packed with tips to streamline your process, avoid common…
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54. Building a Microbakery That Aligns with Your Values: Talking Heritage Grains and Sustainability with Alexandria Fisk
In this episode, I’m sitting down with Alexandria Fisk of Linens and Loaves, a microbaker with a deep passion for heritage grains and sustainable baking. Alex…
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53. Community Over Competition: How to Stand Out in a Saturated Market and Connect in Intentional Community
In this episode, I had the joy to sit down with my dear friend and community leader, Christine Brinkman, founder of Babes Support Babes. Christine shares her…
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52. Part 3 of 3 | Start 2025 Strong with Intentional Goal Setting for your Sourdough Microbakery
Check out the episode webpage to read all of the questions from today's episode: carolinebower.com/episode52 Welcome back to The Bread Winner Podcast! I’m so…
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51. Part 2 of 3 | Unlocking Potential: Vision Casting for Your Micro Bakery
Today, we're diving into the exciting process of vision casting for your bakery in 2025 and beyond. This episode is all about creating a clear, inspiring…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
50. Part 1 of 3 | 2025 Check In: 15 Questions To Build Your Thriving Sourdough Microbakery
Find all of the reflection questions from this episode at carolinebower.com/episode50 Wow, I can’t believe we’ve hit 50 episodes! This milestone feels like…
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49. December in Review: Wins, Lessons, and January Intentions
After taking some much-needed time to rest and recharge over the holidays, I’m back with a heartfelt reflection on December. In this episode, I’m sharing the…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
48. Year-End Reflections: Time, Tools, and Trust: How to Grow a Sourdough Micro Bakery
This episode is extra special because Melissa, my amazing baking assistant, takes over as the interviewer! She flips the script and asks me all about my…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
47. Your Sourdough Bakery's Heartbeat: 3 Steps to Telling Your Brand Story
In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, we're diving into one of the most impactful ways to connect with your customers and stand out in your…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
46. A Conversation with Hannah Guzman: How She's Built a Thriving Sourdough Business While Working a 9 to 5
On today’s episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I’m joined by the inspiring Hannah Guzman, a microbakery owner who’s balancing a full-time job, motherhood, and…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
45. Calculating Your Capacity for Markets and Pre-Orders in Your Sourdough Microbakery
Planning your bake days doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most important aspects of running a microbakery…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
44. Bread for the Community: How Stijn Vanorbeek is Crafting Meaningful Connections with Simply Bread
I am thrilled to share this incredible conversation with Stijn Vanorbeek, the innovative mind behind Simply Bread Company and the Simply Bread Oven. We dive…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
43. Learning the Hard Way: My Worst Sourdough Microbakery Bakery Investments (and a Few of my Best)
Hey friends! In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I share some of the lessons I've learned from the best and worst investments I’ve made while building…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
42. November in Review: Wins, Lessons, and Joyful Holiday Moments in my Sourdough Microbakery
Hi friends, welcome back to The Bread Winner Podcast! In this episode, I’m reflecting on November—what worked, what didn’t, and what I’m taking forward into…
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41. Thank You Notes from the Sourdough Community on Thanksgiving
In this special Thanksgiving episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I take a moment to reflect on the incredible community of bakers and mentors that make this…
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40. A Few Words for the Weary Baker: When Baking Feels Heavy, Remember This
Sometimes, we just need a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the heart of our work. In this episode, I’m speaking directly to you, the weary baker…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
39. Three Ways to Use ChatGPT to Burnout-Proof Your Sourdough Microbakery
In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I’m chatting about a game-changing tool that’s helped me work smarter, not harder—AI. Specifically, I’m sharing…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
38. Coaching Episode | Scaling Up Deere Creek Bakery with Danica Burlingame
I’m thrilled to bring you another coaching session on today’s episode of The Bread Winner Podcast! I had the pleasure of chatting with Danica, the owner of…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
37. How to Bake with Kids Around – My Favorite Tips for Sourdough Microbakery Owners
In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I’m chatting about a question so many of us face: how to juggle baking with little ones around. If you’ve ever…
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36. Q&A: Baking More in a Home Oven, Growing Your Customer Base, & Saving Time
This episode is part two of the Q&A series answering listener questions. Today, I dive into how you can optimize your baking process and save time, all while…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
35. Q & A: Time-saving tips, Holiday ideas, and Workshops
Welcome back to The Bread Winner Podcast! In this episode, I'm diving into your questions with a focus on boosting profits and maximizing efficiency in your…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
34. October in Review: Reflecting on My Growth as a Sourdough Microbakery Owner
Welcome back to The Bread Winner Podcast! In this episode, I’m excited to share an inside look at my business during the month of October. I'll be discussing…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
33. The Role of Generosity in Growing Your Sourdough Microbakery Business
In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I delve into the powerful impact of generosity on our micro bakeries. Generosity goes beyond just giving away free…
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32. When to Say Yes (and No) to Custom Orders in Your Sourdough Microbakery Business
In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of custom orders for microbakery owners. As flattering as it can be to receive requests for personalized…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
31. Engage Locally: How Facebook Groups Can Grow Your Sourdough Business
In this episode, I’m sharing one of my most effective strategies for growing my sourdough microbakery—leveraging local Facebook groups. Facebook might feel…
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30. Is it time to raise your prices in your sourdough microbakery? Here's exactly what you need to know.
Are you working tirelessly in your microbakery but still feel like you’re not earning what you deserve? In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I break…
- The Bread Winner Podcast
29. Sourdough Workshops: How Kala Hembree Has Taught Over 1,800 People to Bake Bread
In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I sit down with Kala Hembree, a seasoned sourdough baker and workshop expert, to dive deep into the world of…
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28: Crowdsourced from the Microbakery Community: Doughs You Can Freeze and Bake Anytime
In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, we’re diving into one of the best time-saving hacks for busy bakers—freezing your dough! After crowdsourcing ideas…
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27. Choosing your Holiday Events for Sourdough Microbakeries: Where to Sell and Why
In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, we're diving into the final part of our series on preparing for the busiest time of the year: Quarter 4. As the…