We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ana Fanakra a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?

You have to believe in yourself, in your vision, and your ability to execute it! People will support you, that’s for sure, but there will be those who will tell you that you can’t do it, be jealous of you, and in general throw all kinds of emotions your way. Be confident enough in your decision and your choice of business to know that regardless of the feedback you get you’ll keep building towards your vision. It definitely helps to have a strong support system, even if it’s just one person in your corner, but if you’re not able to see the value you have simply because you’re YOU, you’ll struggle more than you truly need to. You have to believe that what you’re putting out there for others to purchase from you, or whatever you offer, is incredible and worth it or you won’t be able to sell it.

Ana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started Ana’s Norwegian Bakeri in May of 2020 after being furloughed and subsequently laid off due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As it is not in my nature to sit and do nothing, because I know how damaging it is to my mental and emotional health, I decided to start the Bakeri as a cottage food business, baking from home and selling through Facebook, my website and farmers markets. I did that for about a year, building a pretty loyal following. In June of 2021 I decided to open my first brick and mortar location, and although it’s kind of a funky space it is perfect for what we’re doing.

I hired my first employee in March of 2022, and I am incredibly grateful for her. Anne Katrine has made it possible for me to expand my food offerings , and since she is a fellow Norwegian those that come in wanting to speak the language can do so with either one of us. This is something we both truly enjoy.

We’re building a fun community at the Bakeri, with several events throughout the year, and we host a group of Norwegians twice a month (and anyone and everyone are welcome to join us). We have built a small library of Norwegian books and magazines that are free to anyone who are interested in them, and they’re free to keep them or return them when they’re done with them.

I am lucky enough to have a wonderful support system of great friends and family, and I am very thankful for that. My significant other, Sky, has been my rock through all the ups and downs of navigating the first few years of the growth of the business, and I just want to give a huge shout out to him. Thank you babe!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Consistent product. I take great pride in the food I make, and work hard to provide consistently great product to our customers. We have wonderful customers who have taken time out of their day to leave us great reviews, and these reviews help bring new customers in to see us. Word of mouth has been a huge part of our growth, and many of our customers have found us due to hearing about us from their family or friends.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

I listen to a lot of what Gary V says, and it resonates strongly with me. One of the things he talks about is how in a business where you are the boss and you have employees that are working for you, that you need to remember that your employees don’t work for you but that you work for them. Being positive in how you communicate with them, making sure they are doing good both at work and at home, showing them you’re grateful for them. These are pretty easy things to do but many people in a boss or leadership position forget this. I remind myself all the time that my enthusiasm for my business is an example to those I work with just how much I love and appreciate what I do, and in turn it causes pride in what we do as a team. I couldn’t do what I do without my team, and I try to make sure they know that on a daily basis. If I take care of them they will take care of my customers. It’s a symbiotic relationship..

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.anasnorwegianbakeri.com
• Instagram: @norwegianbakeri
• Facebook: @NorwegianBakeri
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/ana-fanakra-8999a6140
• Youtube: @anasnorwegianbakeri559

Image Credits
All the pictures are mine except the one of me holding cinnamon rolls, it was taken by Krista Simonson of South Denver Strong on Facebook. I have permission to use it.