6 answers
Nicolas
Student
Joplin, Missouri
2
Questions
Asked
1275 views
How to grow small bakery business?
I own a small bakery business which I started roughly 3 years ago, but I want to grow it before I go to college come this fall. My main revenue streams are selling at a local market, direct sales to my classmates in school, my school coffee shop, and occasional catering. I also have both an Instagram and Facebook page set up for online interactions. Advice on thoughts or ideas of how to grow the business on any of those facets would be amazing!
Login to comment
6 answers
Zarle Tarver
Quality Assurance Auditor, Specialist
3
Answers
Galt, California
Updated
Zarle’s Answer
Congratulations on your bakery business!
Focusing on your signature items is a must. Eliminate items that are expensive to make and that rarely sell. Social media post for marketing is 3-5 times a week to show case mouth-watering photos and or short videos/stories. You can share behind-the scenes shots on how you make your pastries. Provide a pastry spotlight. Provide customer interaction by asking your customers to upload a photo of them eating or sharing their pastry from your business. Design a catchy bakery sign to post all over the school campus with permission of course and offer some kind of a discount for first time purchases. Speak with all event planners with your college to either make the bakery goods and or sell at the events for profit.
Z.
Focusing on your signature items is a must. Eliminate items that are expensive to make and that rarely sell. Social media post for marketing is 3-5 times a week to show case mouth-watering photos and or short videos/stories. You can share behind-the scenes shots on how you make your pastries. Provide a pastry spotlight. Provide customer interaction by asking your customers to upload a photo of them eating or sharing their pastry from your business. Design a catchy bakery sign to post all over the school campus with permission of course and offer some kind of a discount for first time purchases. Speak with all event planners with your college to either make the bakery goods and or sell at the events for profit.
Z.
Heather Essig- Reinhardt
Mergers and Acquisitions
1
Answer
Plymouth, Minnesota
Updated
Heather’s Answer
I buy my cupcakes from a student whom I saw on Instagram. Her products were beautiful and tasted great. She posts products periodically, sells holiday-themed items by taking orders ahead of time to limit waste, ie, red roses on cupcakes for Valentine's Day. Ask your clients to share and tag you if they post the item on their feed. Word of mouth is your best and free advertising
Rebecca Aidoo
Fashion specialists
20
Answers
Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
To grow your small bakery business, I recommend strengthening your local presence through eye-catching displays, seasonal promotions, bundle deals, and partnerships with schools, coffee shops, and community events to secure consistent sales. Enhance your digital presence by posting high-quality photos and videos, sharing behind-the-scenes content, and using targeted hashtags and geotags to reach a broader local audience. Diversify your offerings by introducing subscription boxes, holiday-themed baked goods, custom orders, and small-scale catering services. Build strong customer relationships through loyalty programs, referral incentives, and personalized engagement, while collecting feedback to refine products and services. Finally, improve operational efficiency by streamlining baking processes, managing inventory effectively, and creating professional packaging and branding, ensuring sustainable growth and increased brand recognition before transitioning to college life.
MANAHIL Mujtaba
Student
19
Answers
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Updated
MANAHIL’s Answer
Hii !
I’m also a student, but here are a few things that can help your bakery grow fast:
1. Focus on what sells the most.
Make more of the items people keep buying. Don’t waste time on slow sellers.
2. Use your school more.
Ask teachers, clubs, and events if you can supply snacks. School events can bring a lot of quick sales.
3. Post simple, real content online.
Short videos of baking, packaging, or customer reactions work better than perfect photos. People like seeing the process.
4. Try small deals or bundles.
Like “buy 2, get 1 free” or a small box for classmates. Students love discounts.
5. Ask for feedback.
Just ask customers what they want more. Sometimes one small change boosts sales a lot.
Manahil
I’m also a student, but here are a few things that can help your bakery grow fast:
1. Focus on what sells the most.
Make more of the items people keep buying. Don’t waste time on slow sellers.
2. Use your school more.
Ask teachers, clubs, and events if you can supply snacks. School events can bring a lot of quick sales.
3. Post simple, real content online.
Short videos of baking, packaging, or customer reactions work better than perfect photos. People like seeing the process.
4. Try small deals or bundles.
Like “buy 2, get 1 free” or a small box for classmates. Students love discounts.
5. Ask for feedback.
Just ask customers what they want more. Sometimes one small change boosts sales a lot.
Manahil
Courtney Lathrop
Senior Director Global Procurement Operations
3
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Courtney’s Answer
Nicolas,
Starting with seasonal promotions that you can push out through your digital social media accounts. This will increase your revenue stream and allow you to focus on batch work to leave time for your school work. Seasonal promotions provides more reoccurring customers who will share with their friends. Make sure to include your logo on packaging to let your product do it's own marketing.
Best of Luck!
Starting with seasonal promotions that you can push out through your digital social media accounts. This will increase your revenue stream and allow you to focus on batch work to leave time for your school work. Seasonal promotions provides more reoccurring customers who will share with their friends. Make sure to include your logo on packaging to let your product do it's own marketing.
Best of Luck!
Will do! Thank you so much!
Nicolas
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
818
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Congrats on starting a business! I started a catering company when I was 22 and it did great things for my career.
Don’t underestimate asking people for referrals. Reach out to your current customers or post a story on Instagram asking people to help get the word out. Maybe you can do a promotion or giveaway through Instagram by asking people to tag others who like great baked goods.
I live in a smaller town and they’re always doing some sort of community event. They often offer tables for $50-$100 where people can vend and sell their items. You can also connect with PTAs at local schools and see if you can be a vendor at back to school nights, dances, etc. Offer a percent back and you could form a nice partnership.
Be proud of yourself for how far you’ve gotten. Hope something in here helps.
Don’t underestimate asking people for referrals. Reach out to your current customers or post a story on Instagram asking people to help get the word out. Maybe you can do a promotion or giveaway through Instagram by asking people to tag others who like great baked goods.
I live in a smaller town and they’re always doing some sort of community event. They often offer tables for $50-$100 where people can vend and sell their items. You can also connect with PTAs at local schools and see if you can be a vendor at back to school nights, dances, etc. Offer a percent back and you could form a nice partnership.
Be proud of yourself for how far you’ve gotten. Hope something in here helps.