We were lucky to catch up with Steve O’Leary recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Steve, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Our mission at the bakery is to be thoughtful human beings serving thoughtful food. Our connection to people is the most important pillar our business stands on. We love people through food.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

When covid closed my business in 2020 I learned how to make sourdough bread. I would make two a day and give them away to friends. One day my mom said she’d sell them and I took her up on it. Eventually 1 loaf a day turned into 5 a day which turned into 30 a day. We owned a food truck for my last business so one day we opened it up to sell bread and pastry and breakfast sandwiches. We humbly asked people to pop by and tell their friends about us. They CAME THROUGH! After one month we had a 30 minute line at the truck. After 2 months it turned to an hour wait. After three months the line stretched down the sidewalk and was nearly 1 hour and 45 minutes. This never let up.

Our gratitude for people support was at the forefront of every conversation. We have this business because of people and relationships and we didn’t let an opportunity go by without saying thank you. Many tears of gratitude.

After 20 months of the truck we moved into a store. We’ve been open for about six months and the line moved with us. While it’s not every day, our guests are willing to wait for our food and our interactions. This community has shown up for us and now we vow to show up for them.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was 30, had two kids and was unemployed due to covid shut downs. I knew food was my gift so I started baking and selling it. Eventually I sold so much that we decided to start a food truck. Now we have two food trucks and bakery and my journey in food is just beginning.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

When we started the bakery food truck I took over the social media. I decided that I wanted to post the same way that I talked to people. I wanted to joke, I wanted to cuss, I wanted to push the envelope and say what everybody was thinking. I had my wife proofread them so I wasn’t offensive, but she often said, “f it, it looks good to me”. I love her. While most people pitching their business are organized and professional, I decided that being low key, slightly disheveled was going to be my direction. People greeted this version of me with a warm hug and I have so many friends and loyal guests now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blackmarketbakers.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/blackmarketbakers?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Image Credits
Olivia Reed