Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anna Claire Stinson, founder of Stinson Breads, located in Opelika, AL.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My husband, Matthew, and I own Stinson Breads, a local bakery we operate on the weekends in Opelika, AL. We bake naturally leavened sourdough bread and pastries that we delight in providing to our community. Through this craft we have met some incredible people from all over the world, and of all ages. The common thread: they love bread! Both Alabama natives, our goal from the start has been helping establish a culture of high quality, naturally leavened bread in the South.
Tell us about yourself
I've always been a baker. As long as I can remember I've held a whisk in my hand. After I started my full time job in higher education, I decided to devote my spare time to honing that craft. It didn't take long for me to stumble upon sourdough. Matthew, having a horticulture/plant pathology background, also took an interest in the science of sourdough. We made a loaf together, shared it with a friend, and then one by one many others started reaching out, several of whom we didn't know.
We decided to make an Instagram account to share more of the process which we still use as a primary means of connecting with our customers. Looking back, it was the moments we shared with our community members and neighbors that kept us going, along with the pure joy of making bread the slow way. That still holds true today.
We are inspired by great bakeries all over the world, but at the end of the day, our truest inspiration is drawn by the baristas, designers, artists, farmers, and business owners within a stone's throw. Keeping them close and learning from them & with them is what keeps us going. We do what we do not just for ourselves, but to build our community into an even better place than we found it.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I like to think that we have encouraged folks in our community pursue their passions by sharing our experience building our business and helping them utilize their strengths. In addition, moving from a cottage operation to a commissary kitchen last August was probably our biggest accomplishment thus far. It has allowed us to serve our community in new ways and take a big step forward.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It's easy to paint a rosy picture of owning a business, but in reality, it's getting up early, going to bed late, and working on the weekends when you'd rather be off. You've heard it before, especially when it comes to bakeries, and it's 100% true. However, you are in control of striking that balance. We've switched our bread sale day to work better with our schedule. We take a weekend off every now and then to catch our breath and work on DIY projects around the house or travel to see family. And we always remember that growing for the sake of growing is an ill-advised plan. Growing sustainably and in a rhythm with those around us is the only way to keep Stinson Breads what we want it to be, for as long as we can.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1. Ask yourself why you want to start a business. Are you willing to devote endless hours to it? Invest money into it? Take risks? Fall down and have to pick yourself back up? Spend almost as much time on taxes, inventory, ordering, advertising, and other administrative tasks as much as creating the product itself? And be honest with yourself. If your answer is no, that's ok. Maybe that's no for right now or no forever. If you're on the fence, seek mentorship. Go out on a limb. People want to help you but you have to take the first step. And if it's a yes, dive in methodically and with unshakable passion.
2. Do market research. Whether you're a pioneer or building on an existing market, make sure you know the tune of what's happening in your area and how you can specifically and uniquely add to it.
3. What's the endgame? If you can see where you'd like to end up, perhaps the question of where to begin will be easier to answer. Just don't be in too much of a rush to get there. Each part of the journey teaches you lessons you can't afford to ignore.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.stinsonbreads.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/stinsonbreads/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StinsonBreads/
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.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
