Kitchen Notes

A podcast for bakers and food entrepreneurs who want to build profitable bakery businesses that make an impact in their communities.

Hosted by Meg and Molly Svec – co-owners of Spilt Milk Pastry and teachers at Bakery Business Academy.

See what we’re baking up this week on the podcast…

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Say hello!

We’re Meg & Molly!

We are the co-owners of Spilt Milk Pastry and teachers at Bakery Business Academy.

Check Out Our Recent Episodes

We release new episodes every week! Click below to check out our latest episodes. Love what you’re hearing? Don’t forget to leave us a rating & review – we really appreciate it!

Capping Off Our Most Profitable Year EVER – 2023 “Year In Review”

The January Juggle: Let’s Talk Inventory Management Strategies

In this episode of the Kitchen Notes podcast, Meg delves into the crucial topic of setting pars for bakery products, a concern that resonates with many in the baking business, especially during seasonal fluctuations. As we’re entering the slow month of January, she shares insights into managing production levels to avoid waste while ensuring customer satisfaction.

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Capping Off Our Most Profitable Year EVER – 2023 “Year In Review”

Rising to Success: How Moira Walker Built Her Thriving Bakery Business

Today we’re sitting down with Maura Walker, who owns a small business in Massachusetts called pies by Maura. Maura and I have worked together for several years now and I have been consistently impressed with how her business has grown and matured in such a short period of time. Maura is a former deli owner turn pie Baker operating her wildly successful cottage bakery out of her home with zero employees. Today, we’re talking with Maura about how she built her business, the hurdles she’s faced along the way, how networking has helped her streamline and grow her business in a way that works for her and her family, and how she’s using smart production planning and strategic automation to operate her business in a sustainable fashion for a solopreneur. I hope you find this interview as inspiring as I did!

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Capping Off Our Most Profitable Year EVER – 2023 “Year In Review”

2022 Wrap Up Part 3: Looking Ahead To A Fresh Start in 2023!

Happy New Year!

In this 3-part series, we’ll be sitting down to β€œhit the reset button” as we start a new year. We’ll take a look back at 2022 to talk about what went well, exciting milestones we achieved as a business, lessons learned, and where we’re headed in 2023.

Today, tune in for Part Three, where we’re talking about some of the important pillars that our guiding our goals for the upcoming year, including commitments we are making to our team, our community, and the planet.

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Capping Off Our Most Profitable Year EVER – 2023 “Year In Review”

2022 Wrap Up Part 2: Lessons Learned

In this 3-part series, we’re sitting down to “hit the reset button” as we start a new year. We’ll take a look back at 2022 to talk about what went well, exciting milestones we achieved as a business, lessons learned, and where we’re headed in 2023. Today, tune in for Part Two, where we dig into a few things that could have been better about last year, including some valuable lessons learned we will carry with us into 2023. We’ll talk about staff turnover, overshooting the labor budget, growing as leaders, team communication, and more. Enjoy!

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Capping Off Our Most Profitable Year EVER – 2023 “Year In Review”

2022 Wrap Up Part 1: The Good!

Over the next 3 episodes, we’ll be sitting down to “hit the reset button” as we start a new year. We’ll take a look back at 2022 to talk about what went well, exciting milestones we achieved as a business, lessons learned, and where we’re headed in 2023. Today, tune in for Part One of this three-part series, where we’ll dive into our million dollar year, using data to run a growing business, building a strong team, and leadership growth.

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Capping Off Our Most Profitable Year EVER – 2023 “Year In Review”

Using Data to Quantify Your Instincts

In this episode, we’re talking about why when it comes to your bakery business you should listen to that little voice in the back of your head telling you to pay attention β€” while still looking at the numbers to validate and guide you.

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Capping Off Our Most Profitable Year EVER – 2023 “Year In Review”

Add It Up: Patching Your Budget Leaks

Knowing your numbers is a critical piece of bakery business success, but how do you take action to stay on top of things when you notice some gaps in where your money is going?Β In this episode, we’re sharing how we’ve approached tracking slow leaks in our budget.

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Capping Off Our Most Profitable Year EVER – 2023 “Year In Review”

Connie Brown: Build Your Team to Build Your Business

When you run a bakery business, you can always expect the unexpected. In this episode, we sit down with Connie Brown, owner of The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor and Creamery, who successfully made the transition from corporate marketer to ice cream shop owner. We talk to...

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Capping Off Our Most Profitable Year EVER – 2023 “Year In Review”

Nailing Your Pre-Order Process

In this episode, we’re talking about how to get your processes for pre-orders nailed down so that you can avoid extra headaches during what is usually a busy time of year.

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Capping Off Our Most Profitable Year EVER – 2023 “Year In Review”

Balancing Parenthood and Bakery Ownership

In this episode, we’re serving up some real talk on how motherhood has impacted us and how we’ve worked to find the right balance that allows us to excel as both parents and business owners.

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Capping Off Our Most Profitable Year EVER – 2023 “Year In Review”

Listener Question: How Do You Work with Family and Not Kill Each Other?

As sisters who run a bakery business together, we often get questions about what it’s like to work together. Do we always get along? How do we make it work without killing each other? In this episode, we’re sharing our own experience working with family and some of the ups and downs we’ve had along the way.

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Capping Off Our Most Profitable Year EVER – 2023 “Year In Review”

Listener Question: How Do You Decide What Goes On Your Menu?

As a bakery business owner, you’re a creative soul and probably have lots of ideas about what you’d like to offer your customers. So … how do you narrow down the choices and figure out what makes the final cut on your menu? And more importantly, how do you make sure your menu is profitable?

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Finding Your Financial Footing with Daliah Fritz

Finding Your Financial Footing with Daliah Fritz

In the episode, we’re sitting down with Daliah Fritz, CEO of Fritz Financial Solutions (formerly My Small Business Pro), to talk about why starting off on the right foot with your finances can make aΒ bigΒ difference in the success of your bakery business.

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Capping Off Our Most Profitable Year EVER – 2023 “Year In Review”

Trust The Data: What Numbers We Track To Run A Profitable Bakery Business

Ever wondered what KPIs are β€” or why they matter for a bakery business? Let’s talk aboutΒ KeyΒ PerformanceΒ Indicators!

During this episode, Molly and Meg share how whether it’s turning a profit, saving for unexpected expenses, paying off business debt, or paying yourself regularly,Β knowing your numbersΒ makes all the difference in meeting your goals.Β 

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How Chickadee Bakeshop Built A Sustainable & Profitable Subscription-Based Bakery Business

How Chickadee Bakeshop Built A Sustainable & Profitable Subscription-Based Bakery Business

In this episode, we sit down with Kate and Dorie from the Chickadee Bakeshop to chat about operating 2 business models at once, running a thriving business in a small town, and how partnering with an established business can be a recipe for magic. Their smart approach to business helps ensure sustainable revenue AND has helped them grow and scale, while focusing on baking things they enjoy.

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Capping Off Our Most Profitable Year EVER – 2023 “Year In Review”

Episode 1: Welcome to Kitchen Notes!

Welcome to episode 1 of Kitchen Notes! In this episode, we’re setting our intentions for the podcast & talking about why we decided to start having these conversations. When we started our bakery in 2013, there weren’t a ton of resources available for bakers looking to turn their talents into profitable small businesses … and we are on a mission to change that! We hope you will find this podcast helpful as you work on launching & growing a successful bakery business in your community.

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Student Testimonials

Dare to Dream…

"I took Meg's class right around the time all of this COVID started happening in preparation to opening my bakery at the beginning of 2020. We work out of a commissary kitchen and do late night dessert delivery - my city has loved it! In just two months we have grossed $44,000. Before we launched I made sure all of my margins were looking good before going into something I had no clue about. Don’t let what’s happening in the world devalue just how important a delicious baked treat is. πŸͺπŸ–€"

Gage L.

Owner of BreaΓΌxdoo Bakery

Listen Up!

Kitchen Notes Is A Great Resource For Launching & Growing Your Food Business!

01Interviews with bakery owners & experts to inspire and teach

02Weekly Q&A mini episodes give you tactical advice designed to help you make targeted improvements in your biz & give you those “quick wins”

03Timely discussions with Meg & Molly … hear what we’re trying at our bakery to improve customer service, kitchen operations, and more!

04Bakery finance is our jam! We bring you educational content & tips to help grow your profits & build a financially healthy biz

05Running a business can be overwhelming & lonely – we hope Kitchen Notes provides a sense of camaraderie … and maybe even some laughs!