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The Simple Review System That Keeps My Bakery Running Smoothly | Episode 116



One of the biggest mistakes I see sourdough microbakery owners make isn’t a lack of effort or commitment. It’s skipping the pause. We plan, we bake, we sell, and then we roll straight into the next month without stopping to ask whether what we’re doing is actually working.


In this post, I’m walking through the exact monthly check‑in rhythm I use in my own sourdough business. It’s a simple, repeatable system that helps you notice patterns, reduce decision fatigue, and make thoughtful adjustments without overreacting or constantly reinventing your business. This practice has become one of the most powerful tools I use to build a profitable, sustainable, and burnout‑proof microbakery.


Why Most Bakers Don’t Have a Planning Problem

Most bakers are great planners. We love a fresh start, a new plan, and a clean slate.

What we struggle with is checking in.


Without a regular review rhythm, we tend to fall into one of three traps:

  • Avoiding our numbers and systems entirely

  • Checking too often and overreacting

  • Staying on autopilot and hoping things work out


A monthly check‑in solves all three.

The goal isn’t to optimize everything every month. It’s awareness. One simple question guides the entire practice:Is this still working?


The Core Monthly Check-In Questions

At the foundation of this practice are four simple questions I ask every single month:

  • What worked?

  • What didn’t?

  • What did I learn?

  • How am I moving forward?


I ask the same questions every month on purpose. Consistency is what allows patterns to surface over time.

Under those big questions, I review four specific areas of my business.


1. Product Review: What’s Actually Selling

This isn’t about changing recipes or scrapping products impulsively. It’s about noticing patterns.


Each month, I look at:

  • Which products sold consistently

  • Which products stalled or slowed down

  • Which products created friction or stress


If a product that used to sell well suddenly drops off, that’s information. It may be seasonality. It may be a workflow issue. It may be a change in customer behavior.

The key is to notice without panicking.


One slow month is data. Not a verdict.


2. Capacity Check: Does the Work Match Your Energy?

This category is often overlooked, but it’s critical for sustainability.

I ask myself:

  • Did the workload match my energy this month?

  • Did prep feel smooth or frantic?

  • Where did help make the biggest difference?

  • Where did I need help but didn’t have it?


This helps me see whether my systems are supporting me or draining me.

Burnout doesn’t come from working hard.It comes from working without support or structure.


3. Revenue Direction: Trends Matter More Than Totals

You don’t need exact numbers to do this well.

Instead, I look at:

  • Did revenue go up, down, or stay steady?

  • Were sales repeatable or one‑off spikes?

  • Did sales follow predictable rhythms, like markets or pre-orders?


Trends matter more than totals.

When you track direction month over month, you start to see seasonal patterns, customer habits, and opportunities to create more predictable income.


4. Decision Friction: Where Are You Tired of Deciding?

This is the most powerful category and the easiest to miss.

Decision friction shows up as mental exhaustion.


I ask:

  • What decisions felt heavy this month?

  • What questions kept coming up?

  • What am I tired of deciding again and again?


Repeated friction is a signal that a system or rule is missing.

This is exactly what led me to overhaul my menu planning. I realized I was re-deciding the same things every month, and it was draining far more energy than it should have.


What I Do Not Change Month to Month

This part matters just as much as what I review.

There are several things I intentionally do not change monthly:

  • I don’t add new offerings impulsively

  • I don’t overhaul systems after one bad week

  • I don’t chase every piece of customer feedback


No feedback is often good feedback.

One offhand comment does not require a business-wide change. Monthly check‑ins inform decisions, but they do not demand immediate action.


When to Actually Make Changes

I follow a simple rule that removes emotion from decision-making:

  • One month equals data

  • Two months equals a trend

  • Three months equals a decision


This approach prevents reactive changes and protects long‑term clarity.

If something consistently drains energy or underperforms for three months, that’s when I adjust. Not after one rough week.


The Most Important Question to Ask Each Month

At the end of every check‑in, I ask one final question:


What would make next month easier?

Not bigger.Not more profitable.Easier.

Ease is a leading indicator of sustainability.


Ease might look like:

  • Hiring help for a few hours a week

  • Removing a product that causes stress

  • Adjusting prep schedules

  • Simplifying packaging or cleanup

Ease doesn’t mean the work is easy.It means the systems support you.


How to Implement This Practice Without Overwhelm

This process does not need to be complicated or time-consuming.


Here’s what I recommend:

  • Spend no more than 20 minutes once a month

  • Ask the same questions every month

  • Write your answers down

  • Review past months to notice patterns


You can use a simple notebook or a dedicated business reflection journal. The key is consistency.


This practice keeps your business aligned without micromanaging and helps you move forward with clarity instead of second‑guessing.


Final Thoughts

You do not need to constantly re-plan your sourdough microbakery.

You do not need to react to every fluctuation.

You need simple structure, steady reflection, and permission to move slowly and intentionally.


When you build your business this way, consistency becomes natural. Sustainability becomes possible. And burnout stops being the cost of success.

This work matters.Your bakery matters.And you deserve systems that support both.


Links to things you might like!






  • 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





 
 
 

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