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 thriving microbakery owner in Dallas, Texas, who has mastered the art of messaging that sells.

Maria shares her journey from baking for her family of seven to building a profitable bakery—without investing in a bread oven. She popularized the two-loaf pan method, proving that you don’t need commercial equipment to scale. But what really skyrocketed her success? Clear, compelling messaging.

In this episode, we cover:

• The power of starting with why and crafting a mission that resonates
• How to make your customer the hero (instead of just selling bread)
• Using emotional storytelling to create deeper connections
• Practical messaging strategies for selling bread, workshops, or digital products
• How to confidently position yourself as an expert—even if you're just starting out

Maria also reveals details about her upcoming Bakery Business School, designed to help home bakers monetize beyond just selling loaves.

🎧 Hit play and learn how to refine your messaging, sell more effortlessly, and build a bakery brand that sticks.

• Instagram: @leafandloafco
• Bakery Business School (Launching Jan 2025!): Link in Maria’s Bio
• Ebook: "How to Launch, Run, and Market Your Home Bakery" Get it here

• Instagram: @carolinebower_sourdough
• Tag us in your stories! Screenshot the episode and share where you’re listening from!

Grab my Recipe Calculator Spreadsheet https://stan.store/Carolinebower_sourdough/p/get-my-recipe-calculator-spreadsheet-now

Find links to all of my favorite everyday products: carolinebower.com/links

Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://mailchi.mp/thebluebirdbreadco/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery!

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 pitfalls, and embrace the learning curve.

I share my personal starter routine, how I scale recipes efficiently, tips for proofing dough in bulk, and why investing in the right tools—like bins, dedicated fridges, and mixers—can be game-changing. You’ll also hear about techniques for mixing dough, managing inclusions, and open baking versus alternatives like Dutch ovens or loaf pans.

Bulk baking can feel overwhelming, but with practice, patience, and a few tools and techniques, you’ll soon find your rhythm.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• My starter routine and how to scale it for big bake days.
• Why bins are a baker’s best friend for mixing dough.
• Tips for scaling recipes and proofing dough in bulk.
• How refrigeration and baking techniques impact bulk production.

Links to things we talked about:

Join The Bread Winner Inner Circle: https://stan.store/Carolinebower_sourdough/p/innercircle-f1vcaxb6

Grab my Recipe Calculator Spreadsheet: https://stan.store/Carolinebower_sourdough/p/get-my-recipe-calculator-spreadsheet-now

Find links to all of my favorite everyday products, including dough bins and starter containers: carolinebower.com/links

Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://mailchi.mp/thebluebirdbreadco/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery!

Caroline Bower Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Sunrise Flour Mill Organic Heritage Flour

I'm a HUGE fan of Sunrise Flour Mill both for speciality products in my microbakery as well as for my family! I know I'm maximizing the nutrition of everything I bake using Sunrise Flour!

20% off Sunrise Flour Mill

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 shares her inspiring journey from gluten-free living to discovering the magic of heritage wheat—how it transformed her family’s health and ultimately led to the thriving microbakery she runs from home.

We dive into the nuances of baking with heritage grains, why they’re different from conventional flours, and how they bring a richer, more nourishing experience to every bake. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to work with these beautiful grains—or if they might be a game-changer for your own baking—this episode is for you!

Beyond the bread, we also explore the heart behind Alex’s business, including her commitment to sustainability and the balance of running a home bakery while homeschooling her kids. She shares practical tips on sustainable packaging, business planning, and how she’s built a loyal customer base that values real food made with integrity.

Whether you’re curious about incorporating heritage grains or looking for inspiration on running your business with purpose, this conversation is packed with insight and encouragement!

Connect:

Caroline Bower Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebower_sourdough

Alexandria Fisks' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linensandloave

Alex's email: linensandloaves@gmail.com

Links to Alex's favorite sustainable products:

Paper to wrap bread:

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-1912/Kraft-Paper/50-lb-Kraft-Paper-Roll-30-x-720

Twine to wrap/ package:

https://amzn.to/4jzGis2

Bags for cookies:

https://amzn.to/3E37I9m

Boxes for muffins/larger cookie orders:

https://amzn.to/4ao7vcK

Sunrise Flour Mill 20% off link:

https://www.sunriseflourmill.com/ALEXANDRIA67644

Join The Bread Winner Inner Circle: https://stan.store/Carolinebower_sourdough/p/innercircle-f1vcaxb6

Book a 1:1 Call with Caroline: https://stan.store/Carolinebower_sourdough/p/build-a-thriving-microbakery-with-11-coaching

Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://mailchi.mp/thebluebirdbreadco/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery!

Mentioned in this episode:

Try Sunrise Flour Mill Organic Heritage Flour

I'm a HUGE fan of Sunrise Flour Mill both for speciality products in my microbakery as well as for my family! I know I'm maximizing the nutrition of everything I bake using Sunrise Flour!

20% off Sunrise Flour Mill