We recently connected with Megan Sebastian and have shared our conversation below.

Megan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

I grew up in a multigenerational home, and learned to bake under the careful eye of my grandmother. She filled the house will wonder, sweets, and a lot of love. I also grew up in a house on a lot of land, surrounded by the woods. My creativity and imagination was encouraged as a child. I always thought I would be a baker one day with a cool bakery in the woods in some sort of cottage.

Later in life, when I decided to open a bakery, I knew I wanted something to honor that little girl who loved storytelling and held such big dreams. I wanted a creative name to spark an image, and believe it or not, my husband thought of the name. I wish I could take credit for it, alas, he is the genius behind the name and is my biggest cheerleader, so all is well! It felt like the perfect name.

So in honor of my younger self, the girl who knew what her dream was and dared to dream so big, The Enchanted Cottage Bake Shop was born.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a successful corporate professional who is also a dreamer. Like many small business owners, I do work a full – time position, along with being a baker! I am a nature lover and world traveler. I started baking in my childhood home, but I believe I really found my sense of who I am as a baker while living in Europe. I love florals and making designs feel well thought out.

I grew up wanting this, but nerves and the heaviness of adulthood had me take a different career path. I’m now settling back to the path that I believe was always waiting for me. I absolutely adore what I do.

By day I work in the healthcare analytics field and every other moment in between I am creating edible floral art. I am always finding inspiration through nature in my designs. I offer cake products, cakesicles and cookies! I would say my most common customer are brides and grooms. I have absolutely fallen in love with celebrating love.

How I try to set myself a part form the large amount of absolutely talented bakers in this city is my customer service, humble gratitude, design style or aesthetic, and my floral work/skillset. I hope my designs make my customers feel something and they walk away happy with my service.

Lastly, I am most proud of the relationships I am establishing, and the reputation I am building through hard work. Baking is tough on your body after long hours, a lot of love goes into each piece. I feel so lucky to receive such strong responses to my work, I am forever humbled.

If I could add this in – I am so proud and grateful to my husband. First over everything, I am a wife, and opening up my bakery was a huge leap of faith! I am so proud to how far my family has come from this adventure and am so grateful for the unending support from my spouse to let me be consumed with creating edible art.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I believe my most effective strategy to grow clientele has been through marketing and being open about the impact this has on my life. Whether this marketing came from advertising on social media outlets of my work, vending at markets so others may meet me in person, and word of mouth from established customers, it has all proven to be helpful to reach to customers in various ways.

I also try to my best to show who I am, the baker behind the designs. I treat everyone with respect and give my all to every piece. Each order, small or big, has value to me and the customer, and I never let it go unnoticed with how grateful I am on my growth in just a year.

Thank you.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I believe there is a level of vulnerability necessary to have a honest business on social media. It’s not easy to manage social media on top of normal business actions. Although social media can be a lot to learn, as every app has its quirks, I believe it’s required to have a thriving business in todays age.

I began photographing everything I made, every single order. I advertised myself on applicable Facebook groups and started applying to markets. Those market organizers would share my business in their marketing posts, and organically it grew from there.

I would advise someone starting out to get comfortable taking photos and videos of your products, and understanding lighting / back drops. But most importantly, get comfortable with putting yourself in front of the camera! Customers like to know who they are buying from, especially in small businesses. We are the soul behind the product, don’t be shy, let them see you! You are the magic!

Lastly, make a Linktree for all your social medias and website. Put that QR code on the back of your business card. We are in an age where these scanner codes are most convenient, and the easier you are to find, the better it will be!

I wish every new business well. We are all doing our best in an ever changing online world. But do make strong friendships with your peers, remain humble, and be open minded throughout the process.

Thank you for your time to read this, I wish you all my best.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theenchantedcottagebakeshop.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enchantedcottagebakeshop?igsh=MXR5YTk2Y3RiOXNxbw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092502967358&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits

Blue Willow Photography