Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Greg Mindel, Co-Founder of Neighbor Bakehouse, located in San Francisco, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business has been a wholesale, catering, and retail bakery. My customers are residents of the Dogpatch neighborhood, cafes, coffee roasters, restaurants, and caterers.
Tell us about yourself
I have been involved in the food and beverage industry for the past 30 years. I have cooked savory cuisine, made pastries, and baked throughout the years. I believe myself to be very independent, but I find my best work comes out through collaboration. After years of work, study, and practice, I believed I had developed skills (beyond just cooking) to start a business of my own. I am motivated by service and honest work that contributes to our society’s well-being while creating value for our industry.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Over the last 11 years, so much has been accomplished. Beyond the business just being open for so long, one of my most proud accomplishments has been giving everyone the days off they request, even if last minute. I have never worked for or heard of anyone making this a priority. It seems much more important now since things like mental health and life/work balance have become normal discussions for Americans.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things I’ve experienced beyond the long hours, managing people during massive societal changes, labor market issues, and costs of doing business would have to be the lost time with family and friends. Sadly, some are no longer around, and knowing I can’t get that time back, there is a feeling of loneliness and guilt because of that. That’s been tough.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Each business has its own ethos, resources, and financial obligations. There are many things I can say about being in business. Unless you are purely motivated by money and power, I might advise:
- Before starting, be sure to have a true experience, understanding of, and joy for the business you endeavor.
- To run a business you must create space to actually do that well. Arm yourself with all the new technologies that help out with HR, scheduling, accounting, processes, and compliance. Including spending money on people who can do things better and quicker than you can.
- Don’t grow a business unless the simpler version of it is working well. Starting small, scrappy, and lean allows the owner to refine and streamline early. Growing too quickly or starting too big before a simple version proves itself worthy of more is just a rush to failure.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.neighborsf.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neighborbakehouse/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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