Almost a year ago I took the challenge to do marketing part
time for a bakery and café. I have been like a kid in a candy store, well
really an adult in a bakery. I feel, although it is not required, my duty to
taste the products and new menu items. Did I mention this is a French inspired,
high quality bakery?
Besides the croissants, the muffins, the scones, there are
the breakfast, brunch and lunch menu items that are really delicious. The
breads are all outstanding. They bake 24/7 so the smell of freshly baked bread
and pastries wafts through the air all day long.
The owner is a role model for small business perseverance. During
the 1990’s he owned a couple of the most renowned bakeries in Portland. Divorce
and circumstances happened and he found himself out of the bakery business. He
looked at his life and after a few year hiatus he started fresh again, mid life
by opening this new bakery and café.
Small artisan bakeries have boomed in the last few years.
Why would you buy grocery store bread or pastries when a fresh baked loaf or
delicacy is waiting for you at your neighborhood bakery? That is my job in a
nutshell. I try to get people to question their bread and pastry-buying habits
and come to this bakery for their bread and pastry needs. I also try to encourage the
Café customers to bring home some bread or pastries after enjoying their meal.
Last week when I was tasting the almond bear claw versus the
prune one I thought a real professional would just taste and spit. I am not a
real professional. I swooned over the almond bear claw. Luckily for my weight I
only work a couple of mornings a week and my office is in another building.
It has been interesting to use the skills I learned running
my own company and apply them to this business. It is also without a doubt the
most delicious job I have ever had!
Have you parlayed any of your skills for a part time
gig? Have you ever worked in a bakery,
ice cream store, coffee shop or wine bar and enjoyed the perks?
