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

Jennifer, 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?

Last year, around July or August 2023, I began my venture into baking pretzels. By September, I took a leap and applied to become a vendor at our local Farmers Market with a fresh business idea – my German Bakery named Jenn’s Backstube. Despite my previous vending experience with a sewing business, I had modest expectations for this new endeavor.

The market kicked off at 8 am and my first set of clients came to check me out as well. By 10 am, I was overwhelmed with tears of joy as I finally got to feel the feeling of accomplishment when I almost sold out. The sheer happiness I felt was beyond my expectations. A friend stopped by during one of her breaks, and upon seeing her, I couldn’t help but break down in tears. At that moment, I sensed a glimmer of hope that I could continue working from home as a single parent caring for my children. And thus began the thrilling journey of Jenn’s Backstube.

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’m Jenn, originally from Germany, a mother of three, and a true entrepreneur at heart. I find joy in both hands-on work and caring for others, especially feeding them. After years of running a custom sewing business, I made a career shift due to economic reasons. Now, I am thrilled to be the owner of Jenn’s Backstube; “Backstube” means “Bakery” in German. My bakery operates from my home and a rented commercial kitchen, specializing in traditional German baked goods like Bretzeln (Pretzels), Brötchen (Crusty Rolls), Pastries, Cheesecakes, and Kreppel (German Donuts). I take pride in offering low-sugar products made from high-quality grains, organic seasonings, and crafted from scratch, including our Quark and pudding fillings. We now even have Gluten-Free pretzels that are kid-approved. It’s truly heartwarming to see such strong support from our community.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Earlier this year, an opportunity arose for me to open a physical store front. This was a significant moment as the business had experienced rapid growth within less than six months of its inception. The location presented an irresistible offer, allowing me to explore the operation of a brick-and-mortar store. After testing the space during a weekend event, I developed a fondness for the idea and the location, which would’ve showed me to gain valuable insights into running a shop. However, due to unexpected major changes it no longer aligned with my business requirements. I had to make the decision to not proceed with this location. Instead, I chose to focus on Farmers Markets and events this year. This experience taught me that taking risks is essential to gain a deeper understanding of your business aspirations and dreams. But you also need to make sure things align with your vision or it becomes a nightmare versus a dream.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

As mentioned earlier, I transitioned to a new career due to shifts in the economy. However, my journey as an entrepreneur began long before. About 15 years ago, during a challenging period of divorce and a custody battle, I needed to find a way to support my children and manage our expenses independently. This led me to apply and be approved as a home childcare provider, marking the start of my path as a work-from-home mom and entrepreneur.
Along this journey, I decided to learn how to sew just as a hobby. When circumstances changed once more, I utilized this skill to pivot and explore new avenues to provide for my family. Adaptability has emerged as a crucial trait for both my business and personal life. Over the years, I have embraced the lesson of perseverance and placing my faith in spiritual beliefs, trusting that by prioritizing spiritual matters, our needs will be met (Luke 12:29-31). Never give up even if you have to adapt and find new ways to make it work. It’s not easy but so worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jennsbackstube.com
• Instagram: @jennsbackstube
• Facebook: @jennsbackstube
• Other: Online ordering: www.hotplate.com/jennsbackstube

Image Credits

Jenn Bowersock, Owner ~ Jenn’s Backstube