Rise Up! The Baker Podcast with Mark Dyck

Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series

@jens_artisan_breads_ on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up! #90: Jennifer Koertner Feb 19, 2020

Show notes

Jennifer Koertner is in the centre of the action in her micro-bakery, Jen's Breads. Her kitchen is in the local community centre; all the better to make her place part of the fabric of Mt. Morris, Illinois!

In the episode, Mark and Jennifer discuss the challenges with being a small town market baker, how her central location offers several advantages and how she was able to find such a great partner in her baker Sarah.

Helpful Links:

Jen's Bread website

Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series

@flourbakeryandcafe on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up! #89 - Joanne Chang Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

Joanne Chang is a shining light on the North American baking firmament. Owner of the hugely successful Flour Bakery in Boston, Joanne is also the author of several beloved cookbooks.

In this episode, Mark and Joanne discuss how she made the leap into baking and built up a mini-empire of bakeries around Boston. Expanding beyond a single shop requires a change of focus and Joanne now plays a significantly different role than the early days. And she still has time to write books like Pastry Love!

Helpful Links:

Flour Bakery Website

@joannebchang on Instagram

Joanne's latest book: Pastry Love on Amazon

Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series

@breadlove_ca on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up! #88: Laura Rogerson Feb 05, 2020

Show notes

Laura Rogerson is bringing the Good Stuff to the people of St. Albert, Alberta. Having baked for the local farmer's market for years, she is now opening her own downtown space to both bake and teach baking classes.

In this episode Mark and Laura talk about building a customer base over time, what it takes to expand to new markets and how she's keeping her build out costs manageable in her new space.

Helpful Links:

Breadlove Website

Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series

The Whole Grain Hearth Website

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up! #87: Richard Placzek and Sammy Wardrop Jan 29, 2020

Show notes

Richard Placzek is really into baking. Really, really into baking. But it was once he teamed up with Sammy Wardrop that his bakery really took off.

In this episode, Mark talks with both Richard and Sammy about their individual baking journeys, how they met one day at a London farmers market and how they are slowly building The Whole Grain Hearth into a southern Ontario highlight.

Helpful Links:

@wholegrainhearth on Instagram

Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series

August First Bakery Website

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up! #86: Jodi Whalen and Phil Merrick Jan 22, 2020

Show notes

Jodi Whalen and Phil Merrick opened August First Bakery and Cafe in Burlington Vermont back in 2010 and step by step have grown it into a sustainable business for them, their staff and their community. They even have the team and systems in place where they can step back from the day to day operations of the bakery.

In this episode, Jodi and Phil share their journey in baking and in business, and share their experience in building a business that will continue after their retirement.

Helpful Links:

Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up! #85: What Should We Track In The Bakery? What Should We Automate? Jan 15, 2020

Show notes

It doesn't take more than a handful of products before a bakery owner asks "How can I stay on top of everything?" Yet once the Pandora's Box of tracking spreadsheets is opened, it becomes harder and harder to leave the screen and get back to the bench.

In this episode, Mark talks about the tracking alternatives available to bakers, from pen and paper to major enterprise level software. And then he asks the most important question: What is "good enough?"

Helpful Links:

Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up! #84: Business Development Planning For Your Bakery Jan 08, 2020

Show notes

After a busy holiday season, the start of January is the perfect time for some well deserved rest. But once your rested, smart bakery owners take some time to plan out their business development activities for the year ahead.

In this episode, Mark describes a 7 step method that he and Cindy used to plan out business development for their bakery, including a current business assessment, setting realistic development goals and bringing their bake team along for the ride.

Helpful Links:

Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up! #83: Alexis Hughes-Williams Dec 18, 2019

Show notes

Not only is Alexis Hughes-Williams building her pop-up bakery, Something Sweet, but she's building a non-profit to empower young women at the same time.

In this episode, Mark learns about how Alexis learned to bake from her great-grandmother, built up a popular pop-up bakery and intends to expand it beyond Nashville, while keeping Girl unKnown a prominent part of her life.

Helpful Links:

Something Sweet Website

Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series

@breddyboulangerie on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Rise Up #82: Eddy Mysliwiec Dec 11, 2019

Show notes

Eddy Mysliwiec worked as a chef while he got his degree and started working for the City of Victoria. But his love of food was too strong. Moving to Montreal, he started Breddy Boulangerie and is becoming a major part of his cities vibrant food scene.

In this episode, Mark and Eddy talk about growing up in France, the pros and cons of a desk job and Eddy's plans for his microbakery.

Helpful Links:

Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series