Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jacqueline Okum, founder of Strawberry Blonde Bakery, located in Ottawa, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Strawberry Blonde Bakery's mission is to create a place where people with alternative diets and food allergies can buy a treat without having to worry about cross-contamination, while also not having to compromise on taste or aesthetics. Our goodies taste just as good (nay! better!) than their conventional counterparts. Absolutely everything we do is vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and kosher!
Tell us about yourself
After becoming vegan in 2008, Jacqui noticed an unfortunate lack of delicious cakes and pastries for those with alternative diets. After graduating from George Brown’s Baking & Pastry Entrepreneurship Program in 2011, she started Strawberry Blonde Bakery (SBB). She’s grown SBB from a humble market stand at Lansdowne Market to 2 successful locations in Ottawa, Ontario.
It has always been Jacqui’s goal with SBB to create a space where people with alternative diets could go and not feel left out of the fun. The customers are what motivates her to keep pushing forward. There's nothing more rewarding for Jacqui than seeing a parent tell their child with allergies that they can pick anything from the display case and watch their eyes light up.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Oh boy! There are lots to choose from. The biggest I think is creating treats that are free from the top allergens that are just as good as "regular" treats. We are constantly recipe experimenting to make new products and improve our current offerings. It's a constant accomplishment that I'm so proud of. The next biggest would be managing through the Covid19 pandemic. It brought about major stresses, but we pivoted and became stronger as a result.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It's not a job that can easily be "turned off". I'm always thinking about it. Being a business owner means almost always working in some way. But it also allows for more flexibility so it's a good trade-off.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1) You need to be comfortable making decisions constantly. From the smallest mundane things to giant decisions that affect people's lives.
2) Don't worry too much about competition. Focus more on what makes your business unique and offers a high-quality product.
3) Listen to your customers. It doesn't mean you have to incorporate all of their feedback, but they provide valuable insight into an outside perspective of your business.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Each day brings a new challenge, but that's part of what makes being a business owner so fun! You are constantly learning and growing.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://store.strawberryblondebakery.com
https://www.instagram.com/blondebaking/
https://www.facebook.com/StrawberryBlondeBakery/
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.