I started my “small business” in January 2024 by baking goods in my apartment kitchen and selling them at farmers markets. It allowed me and my husband to leave our jobs at Starbucks. Once summer ended, I got a wholesale license and now bake out of a commercial kitchen, selling to restaurants and coffee shops. The problem is, business is slowing down, and every day it gets harder to find motivation. To pay the bills, I had to take on a delivery job twice a week, and then I got another warehouse job for two days a week. Now I’m working 16-hour days, and it feels like nothing is working out. My business and my two jobs only make enough for me to get by, working 10-12 hour days six days a week. I feel more trapped than ever before. The idea of going back to Starbucks doesn’t sound so bad now. I feel burnt out and like saying “I’m a business owner” is just a lie. The whole point of starting this was so I wouldn’t have a boss, but now I have two jobs and still have to manage the business. I’m tired of cold calling businesses with my script, following up with emails, and doing sample meetings that take up hours of my day just for them to ignore me. It makes me feel like my product isn’t good enough, but I know that’s probably not the case. Maybe the pricing’s off, maybe they don’t even need a new supplier, but it’s getting tiring to keep pushing when it feels like no one cares. Maybe it’s time to stop the business, even though I hate to admit it. My husband is supportive, but I’m overworked, and it’s so hard to find passion in this anymore. Plus, being broke makes it harder to grow a business. I know I’m just venting, but after this, I’ll get back to work, make my calls, and pay my bills. I just needed to complain to someone who understands.
This is a reminder that this forum is for questions and answers about starting, owning, and growing a small business. If you have a question, this is the place to ask it. Posts that don’t follow the rules might be removed. If you need help, feel free to contact the moderators.
Part of this forum is for venting, but you’re right, you had to do what you had to do to make ends meet during the slow times. I think part of your frustration is that you had some unrealistic expectations. You had some good wins at farmers’ markets, but those only run during the spring to early fall. And getting into local coffee shops is great, but it doesn’t always provide steady business. I think you may have thought owning a small business meant fewer hours, but that’s not true. Small business owners often work 10-12 hours a day, especially in the beginning. The food business is tough with low margins and high labor. Maybe it’s time to think of your baking as a side hustle that brings in extra money. You could keep working the farmers’ markets, like other small farms do, and supplement your income. A lot of people find success doing that, even if it’s not enough to live on all year. It may take hard work, but if you love what you do, it’ll be worth it. Good luck and keep going, but make sure you’re doing it with your eyes open!
@Vanya
I really like the logic in your response. What were your goals when you started your business? Did you have a clear plan or just hope for the best? A business plan can be really helpful to guide your steps. Also, are you part of any business owner communities? They can be lonely roads, so it helps to find others who can offer support and advice. Keep pushing forward!
@Lian
It looks like you and I are on the same page. The idea of ‘beginning with the end in mind’ is from Stephen Covey’s book ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’. It’s a good read if you’re trying to get some clarity. For more tips, I recommend ‘Thrive Solo: The Essential Guide to Launching and Maintaining Your Solopreneur Business’. It’s written by someone who’s been doing it for over 25 years and is full of great advice.
I don’t think this is imposter syndrome – it sounds more like burnout. You can bake, that’s obvious. Have you considered breaking down your tasks into manageable chunks? Maybe dedicate Sundays to testing recipes, Mondays for planning and shopping, and Tuesdays for marketing and outreach. Can your husband help with some of the tasks? Could you look into getting a small business loan to hire temporary help if you need it?
This isn’t imposter syndrome – it’s just the struggles that come with growing a business. Working so many hours and not making enough money really does take a toll. I’m sorry you’re in this position right now. I think it might be a good time to step back and reevaluate. Having early success doesn’t mean the business will automatically keep growing without a plan. Maybe it’s time to create a business plan, do some market research, and see how you can handle both busy and slow periods. If that means turning it into a side hustle, that’s a valid option. It seems like there’s a disconnect with your product if you’re having trouble getting contracts. It could be the price, or maybe it’s just not meeting the needs of your market. I’d recommend reaching out to businesses you’ve met with and asking for feedback on why they didn’t buy from you. Even one or two responses could help you improve.
Ask for feedback on your product. If it’s really good, people should want more. I heard about a guy who spent a year perfecting chocolate chip cookies. A friend told him it was a waste of time, but he went ahead and tried his cookies anyway. Turns out, his product was amazing. He eventually quit his finance job to bake, but only after he perfected his cookies.
@Zane
This inspires me and makes me think a lot. I’ve been considering focusing on just one of my products that people always love and compliment. Plus, a popular bakery that used to sell something similar to it just closed, and people keep talking about missing it. It could be a good opportunity.
@Zane
I know exactly what you mean. I’ve heard similar stories about people making a single product their specialty and then becoming successful.
@Zane
Great advice! It’s like the guy who became a pizza maker after learning from Italy. It takes that dedication to perfect your craft.
Is your husband also working multiple jobs?
Zorion said:
Is your husband also working multiple jobs?
Yes, he works the same schedule as me – four days a week at the warehouse and delivering. He’s not too involved in the bread business though. We’ve been working together for the last ten years.
Did you write a business plan before starting? If you did, go back to it. That’s your roadmap. If you didn’t, now is the time to create one. You need to include sales and marketing, as that’s what will increase your business. If you need a template, check out SBA.gov for resources.
A few thoughts that might help: Do you know who your ideal customer is? I’d suggest focusing on people who really appreciate your baked goods and who enjoy working with you. Once you know who they are, you can create content that appeals to them and find where they spend their time. It could be on social media, forums, or at events. You can use those spaces to offer value and bring them to your business.
Baked goods, like any product, will sell based on how good they are. Marketing is important, but the core of your business needs to be the quality of the product. Early business success might give you a burst of sales, but the real challenge is sustaining that demand. Your product has to be so good that people can’t resist coming back for more. If you’re not getting that response, it’s time to focus on improving the product.