Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Candice Howard. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Candice, appreciate you joining us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?
My extended family was telling everyone and their mother about me, and I had shared my Valentine’s menu on the local neighborhood page — a bit of a rushed endeavor, but I knew people loved to get sweets for their significant other so I thought it was a good chance to start getting my name out there. The first client I had that wasn’t related to me came from the neighborhood group that saw my post.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
The main reason I started baking was because I would eat something from the store or another bakery, and I would think to myself “I could make this better, I can do it from scratch.”
I’ve had a long list of items I have been baking for years, but when I was mainly getting kolaczki orders at the beginning, I knew I could have more fun with the fillings beyond the traditional bagged ones others get in bulk. I had seen people do fun flavors with other Polish-American staples, like paczki and pierogi so why not do it with kolaczki too? My maiden name is Polish — I know kolaczki!
What sets us apart is our fun flavors while still baking the old fashioned way with basic ingredients, but also giving those with dietary restrictions a chance to relish in those childhood favorites they’re missing. Vegan, Gluten-Free, Combined Vegan and Gluten-Free: I can make almost everything on my menu to adhere to those restrictions without relying on a box mix!
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Google! I have my house listed as the home bakery, and I have 11 reviews so far, which allows anyone who searches “bakery near me” to find me easily. We often see recomendations in the neighborhood groups, but people are still using search engines as a means to find what they’re looking for. Having that web presence has put me in front of many more potential new clients than social media ever will.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
For the longest time prior to selling, if something was ugly but tasted good we will all say “that’s how you know it’s homemade” or “taste is more important than looks.” That philosophy is great for baking for family and friends, but when you need to convince the public to take a chance on you — they eat with their eyes first! A lightbox for clear pictures, and being mindful of how I package my items at a vendor event both contribute to how well I sell.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grazeandflourish.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grazeandflourish
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grazeandflourish
