Hiring an Assistant for a Burnout Proof Bakery | Episode 111

mikalonte
2 days ago
5 min read

Running a sourdough microbakery is a labor of love, but it’s also a lot of labor. There comes a point when the long days start stacking up, the dishes never seem to end, and you feel yourself slowing down because you're trying to do everything alone. In this episode, I invited Melissa—my former assistant and now dear friend—back on the show to talk about what it really looks like to bring help into your bakery. She brings not only firsthand bakery experience but also her background in corporate recruiting, which adds so much clarity to the process.

This conversation is for the baker who is feeling stretched beyond capacity. The baker who knows deep down that something needs to shift. And the baker who wants to grow their business while protecting their peace, energy, and joy. Together, we walked through how to know when you’re ready, how to find the right person, how to train them well, and what tasks you can confidently delegate so you can focus on the work only you can do.

How to Know You’re Ready to Hire Help

Hiring often begins long before you place a job posting or ask someone to come in for a trial shift. It begins with honesty. When your bake days consistently turn into 12‑hour marathons, or when the never-ending dishes are slowing down your entire workflow, those are early signs that it’s time to consider support.

It can feel scary. This work is personal. It’s your craft. Your home. Your name on every loaf.

But holding everything too tightly can actually limit your growth. When you find yourself hesitant because you're afraid someone won’t do things exactly like you do, that’s usually the sign. Fear is often the barrier between you and the support you need.

And you’re not alone in that feeling. I didn’t hire again for months after Melissa transitioned out, even though I desperately needed help. But once you allow yourself to see the potential—more margin, more joy, more sustainability—you realize how powerful it is to let someone walk alongside you.

What to Look For When Hiring Your First Bakery Assistant

The right assistant doesn’t need bakery experience. They don’t even need to know how to shape dough. What they do need is the kind of character you can’t teach.

Look for:

Strong work ethic
Teachability
Integrity
A genuine curiosity for the craft
Someone who feels excited to show up and help

You can train someone to roll cookie dough. You can’t train someone to care.

Personality fit matters too. Your assistant will be in your home or bakery for hours at a time. You want someone you enjoy having in your space. Someone who adds energy on chaotic days and brings a sense of calm when things get tight.

This is why I love a working interview. Instead of a traditional Q&A, you invite them to come in, get their hands busy with low‑risk tasks, and let the day unfold. You learn so much by simply watching how someone responds to correction, handles pressure, manages details, and communicates.

Trust your gut. If something feels off, it’s okay to say no. This is your space, your livelihood, and your peace. Protect it with intention.

Preparing Before You Bring Someone Into Your Bakery

You don’t need perfect systems before you hire. But a little preparation goes a long way.

Start with:

A short list of tasks you know you can delegate
A clear picture of your weekly rhythm
An organized workspace (even if imperfect)
A slower-paced day for onboarding
The understanding that things will slow down before they speed up

Hiring help isn’t just logistical. It’s mindset work. You are widening the circle of trust in your business. You are choosing to release control so you can grow.

And yes, it will feel messy at first. But messy doesn’t mean wrong. It simply means you’re learning a new rhythm.

Training Your Assistant With Clarity and Confidence

When your new assistant arrives for their first few shifts, start slow. Begin with small, satisfying tasks that don’t carry much pressure, like dishes, prepping ingredients, or folding packaging.

A few key principles make the process smoother:

1. Give context for corrections

Don’t silently fix something behind them. Explain why something matters so they can replicate it next time.

2. Encourage every question

Set the tone early that nothing is silly or inconvenient to ask. Questions are how they learn. Mistakes are expected.

3. Create simple process guides

Have your assistant record what they’re learning:

Short videos
Voice memos
Basic checklists
Step‑by‑step packaging instructions

This becomes the foundation for future training and keeps you from reteaching the same things again and again.

4. Pay attention to strengths

Over time, you’ll notice what they’re naturally good at and what drains them. Lean into their strengths and adjust as needed. This is how your workflow gets faster, smoother, and more joyful.

Tasks You Can Delegate in Your Microbakery

This list isn’t theoretical. These are the exact tasks Melissa handled for me, and they completely changed how my bakery functioned.

High-impact tasks to delegate:

Dishes and cleaning
Pre-measuring dry ingredients
Packaging and labeling
Folding bakery boxes
Rolling cookie dough
Cutting scones
Prepping inclusions (grating cheese, chopping add-ins)
Scooping muffin batter
Filling and organizing porch pickup orders
Alphabetizing and timing out pickup windows
Refilling ingredients and managing inventory
Running errands or pickups
Helping with markets or pop-up events

You can start small. Three hours a week. Someone to wash dishes and prep ingredients. Every hour you gain back helps you focus on the work that matters most.

Where to Find the Right Person

When you’re ready to hire, look close to home. Some of the best assistants aren’t looking for bakery jobs—they’re looking for connection, purpose, flexibility, and meaningful work.

Try:

Local moms groups
Young adults taking online classes
Recent high school grads
Grandmas with flexible daytime schedules
Your own Instagram or Facebook page
Neighborhood groups and Nextdoor
Referrals from your customers

You aren't looking for someone who wants a “job in a bakery.” You’re looking for someone who cares about what you’re building.

Hiring Help Is One of the Most Burnout-Proofing Things You Can Do

Hiring isn’t a sign that you can’t handle your business. It’s a sign that your business is growing.

A good assistant makes your work lighter. Your days shorter. Your workflow smoother. Your energy stronger. Your creativity sharper.

And your business more sustainable.

You will feel the difference almost immediately. Not just in production, but in your spirit. It feels good to be supported. It feels good to not do everything alone. It feels good to build something alongside someone who believes in your mission.

Your bakery, your family, your customers, and your future self will thank you for taking this step.

Happy baking, and here’s to building a business that supports your life—one helping hand at a time.

Links to things you might like!

Join The Bread Winner Network: https://carolinebower.thrivecart.com/bread-winner-network/ – Monthly membership for sourdough bakers.

Grab the Profit & Pricing Calculator: Simplify the math, clarify your margins, and confidently price your products

Join my email list here: https://carolinebower.myflodesk.com/newsletter

Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including the dough bins I mentioned, packaging, pans, and more in my Amazon Storefrom! www.carolinebower.com/amazon

Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://www.carolinebower.com/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery!