We recently connected with Jamie Broll and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jamie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about how you got your first non-friend, non-family client. Paint the picture for us so we can feel the same excitement you felt on that day.
I was baking scones for my family and coworkers for family gatherings for a few years, just hear and there. Then, during the pandemic I had more time to bake and cook so I started making a weekly post on my personal Facebook page called “Scone Saturdays.” Many people wanted the recipe or just simply the scones! That’s where my idea blossomed and decided there must be even more of a demand and started selling custom orders.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’ve loved to bake bread and desserts and cook since I was old enough to do things in the kitchen. During COVID, many people started baking bread or learning how to make sourdough starters, decorating cakes, etc., but for myself, I just found that slowed-down pace allowed me to reignite some of my passions. I was baking scones for my family, but as I had more time to experiment with different flavors and give them away to co-workers and friends, I felt like there was an untapped opportunity I couldn’t ignore. Our town is over 13,000 and no longer has a hometown bakery. During COVID, I would post photos of my scones. There seemed to be this bubbling demand, so I finally decided to obtain my Cottage Food Producers License and start my business Harmony Baking Company in March 2021. I primarily sell scones as they are unique and something that feels special and “fancy.” I also make various cookies but try to stay small-scale in my offerings to maintain quality, efficiency, and simplicity in my “side-hustle.” My scones are made with fresh ingredients. Many customers comment that my scones are not your typical dry, hard scone but moist and full of flavor. I’m working on building a Website to make ordering easier and exploring a monthly subscription program for local businesses.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My background is journalism. I graduated from college and landed my first job as a business beat reporter. I covered financial, medical and retail services for 3 1/2 years and was tragically laid off in 2009 during the economic recession. I was devastated and unsure if I was going to continue utilizing my college degree. I continued to freelance write for the business publication as well as a part-time job at a call center until I found the right job. I fell into a job as a 911 dispatcher and made my career there for 3 1/2 years and worked my way up as a S.W.A.T Tactical Dispatcher and then a Shift Supervisor. I loved what I did, but I worked very crazy hours and I was pregnant with my 3rd son. I decided it was time to move back to my family in Minnesota. I’ve found my calling in a career in real estate where I continued to utilize many of my journalism skills. I currently manage a real estate team as the Director of Operations and Talent. I bake on the side to fuel my creative, entrepreneurial passions.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Step one is just connecting with those who already know you on a personal level and are connecting with you on a business/creative level. I mostly share what I’m baking, even if it’s not something I’m going to be selling or offering to clients. People want to see the real, day-in-the-life version of you. I think people connect with seeing you as a real person who has struggles and successes. Providing value, interest and curiosity will drive your audience the most!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.harmonybakingcompany.com
- Instagram: @harmonybaking
- Facebook: facebook.com/harmonybaking
Image Credits
Dreaming Tree Photography