Five Mindset Shifts Every Microbakery Owner Needs | Episode 77

mikalonte
Apr 17, 2025
3 min read

The Breadwinner Summit gave us a lot to think about—strategies, systems, and marketing tips—but one theme kept rising to the surface in every conversation: mindset.

Not the fluffy kind. I’m talking about the deep, daily, steady beliefs that shape how you show up in your bakery. The thoughts that influence your pricing, your consistency, your courage, and your growth.

In this post, I’m sharing five mindset shifts that have been game-changing for me and so many other microbakery owners. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, underpriced, or unsure of your next move, I hope these give you something solid to stand on.

1. Feeling Like an Imposter Means You’re Growing

It might sound strange, but imposter syndrome can be a good sign.

It means:

You’re doing something new.
You’re stretching beyond what you’ve done before.
You care enough to want to do it well.

If you’re starting to teach, speak, or offer something that feels a little out of your comfort zone, that feeling is part of it. Growth is uncomfortable. It always is.

2. Pricing Is a Reflection of Your Belief in Your Business

We can’t expect other people to believe in what we’re doing if we don’t.

Pricing is one of the clearest places that mindset shows up. When you underprice:

You’re signaling doubt in your value.
You’re telling your body and brain that this business isn’t worth investing in.

You need pricing that reflects not just your ingredients and time—but your belief that this business is here to serve your life, not deplete it.

3. “Done” Is More Powerful Than “Perfect”

Perfectionism will keep you stuck longer than any outside challenge ever could.

You don’t need:

The perfect label.
The perfect photos.
The perfect workflow.

You need a starting point. One that’s honest, simple, and sustainable.

It’s okay if your first version of a new product or idea isn’t what you imagined. Done gets you to the next step. Perfect delays progress.

4. You Don’t Need to Compete with Local Bakers

Your voice is needed. Your products are different. Your energy is unique.

You may bake the same kind of bread as someone else in your town, but that doesn’t mean you’re offering the same experience.

You don’t need to over-explain or defend your space in the market. Just stay consistent, stay kind, and keep showing up with integrity.

There’s enough room when we stop comparing and start connecting.

5. You’re Not Just a Microbakery—You’re Part of a Movement

What we’re doing in this space—cottage baking, microbakery building, slowing down, baking from scratch—it matters. It’s about more than business. It’s about food systems, family rhythms, community nourishment, and reclaiming the value of handmade work.

You’re not just running a bakery. You’re part of a bigger shift.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your work is “big enough,” let this be your reminder: it is.

What’s Next: The Breadwinner Network

The Breadwinner Summit was a turning point, but it’s just the beginning.

Coming soon is the Breadwinner Network—a space where we’ll continue these conversations and turn them into consistent support. It will include:

Ongoing monthly coaching
Expert conversations
Community and encouragement that lasts beyond a single event

I want you to have a place to keep learning, keep growing, and keep building your business with clarity and confidence.

Final Thoughts

Mindset work isn’t loud or flashy. But it’s the steady shift that makes all the other strategies actually stick. These five shifts aren’t about becoming someone else—they’re about becoming more confident in the business you’re already building.

Keep going. Keep believing in what you're doing. And know that you’re not behind—you’re just getting started.

Resources & Links

Join the Bread Winner Network Waitlist Here!
Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more here!
Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdough
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!