Inquiring minds want to know how many loaves you sold and how much you made.....andw as it worth the time spent?
Linda C

Thats great,glad it turned out so well for you.

Shelley

I sold 7 loaves of bread and 6 bags of rolls for a total of $40.00 in 3 hours. Was it worth my time? You might not think so. But a) I wasn't up all night, b) it was a pleasant morning, c) that's $40 added to my budget that I didn't have. The Amish Wheat sold the best and is easy and economical to make. I've got the supplies on hand for next Saturday so I don't have to buy more ingredients.

The wheat loaves overproofed and weren't perfect, but they sold anyway. I think I can get another loaf out of this recipe too. I won't be shaping each crescent roll by hand either - I'll cut out squares instead, which is much faster. Maybe I will make Oatmeal Honey or Harvest Grain bread next time as the Enriched White did not sell as well as the wheat.

See....I learned a lot in this little project!

Congratulations Teresa.

Ann

It sounds like you have it all figured out now. Congratulations; I hope next week goes even better for you.

Yippee!!! What, no pictures? Sad jessica.

Soaked to your undies? And no wet t-shirt contest around?

Assuming $10 in materials and maybe five hours of time in manufacturing (kitchen) and sales (market), that gives you a gross profit of $30 or $6 per hour to be paid to your labor force.

Joe

Gee, Joe, are you related to my husband?
If it's fun and enjoyable and she doesn't lose money, it doesn't matter that much.

Did you enjoy it Teresa? I think the idea of selling something that you've made with your own hands is pretty cool. Congrats on a great start!

I hope you get return buyers who tell you how much they like your bread :)

Sue

Good for you Teresa!

Wishing you much success for the next weeks and months.

SharonCb

I did enjoy it very much! I don't have too many opportunities to mingle with folks except the ones I work with, so this was good for me to feel a part of a larger community. I'm very comfortable chatting up strangers and interacting with the "public." I had bread cubed for samples and tongs to offer them, but no one asked, so I didn't offer. I did have out my ingredients list so anyone could look at what goes in my breads. The table and chair are staying in my cargo space in the car for next weekend. So it will be even easier for me to pack up and go.

I do need to make a sign to pin on my tablecloth so people can read what I have at a distance.

Teresa

Great news! Since you are planning on returning, why don't you also include some small items for sale of your beautiful handiwork? They should be kitchen/food/homey related to tie in with your bread theme ~ widen your niche a bit ~ but still keep with the bread theme. It will broaden your customer base & help them to remember you. Your work is so beautiful ~ and you could work on these items during the week ~ Like embroidered napkins for a bread basket,small wall hanging with wheat stalks.
This is a fun way to make some extra money without a huge investment. I am happy you found it rewarding!

Bumblebeez:
Will you stop picking on your Husband.

Joe is right !!!

Teresa is doing it for fun right now but believe me, if you are not making enough,
it gets Old.
I've done this for years, it is more fun when you make a good Profit.

I'd like to see her make about 50 Dollars an Hour.

Then, she wouldn't care what part got Wet .

Teresa:
Good Luck !!! with your new Venture. Have fun but make a lot of money too.

PS:
Take some thin Plastic Drop Cloths with you, next time.
Pack in trays ???
so they can be put away in a minute.

LOU

Congratulations! That's not all about the money but the satisfaction from knowing people desire your breads. You did well and I am happy for you!

Congratulations, Teresa! It's very satisfying to be able to interact with your customers and I'm betting you'll have repeat customers next time in addition to new ones. Way to go!!!

jude

I may be late with a suggestion, but last summer I worked for a local greenhouse, part of my job included selling at the farmers market. There was a local bread baker there, and they sold out quickly everytime. Perhaps if you have some time of course, make items that people can eat and snack on right away, maybe some muffins or mini loaves of quick bread. This way they can come to the market, eat and buy. Believe me they will look for you and your wares every week. I know we always checked out the bread bakers wares at our market, and enjoyed when we could munch on something while working.

Teresa, that's great. You had a good time and made some money also. I was thinking you could make some jam or jelly to go with the bread.

I bet you will have some of the same customers next Saturday!

I'd say you literally "got your feet wet" with your new venture. You are certainly knowledgeable about your product; knowing you, I'm sure that comes though during your interaction with the customers.

Cathy

Good for you, Teresa! Lots of positives in what you've done. Don't let doubts hold you back. When I started my business it was just an idea with loads of problems to solve but somehow solutions were there, I just had to deal with them and the answers were there. I think I made less than $6 an hour before I had a smooth running operation. Fresh baked goods are hard to find unless you do it yourself, so, yes, there is a market out there for you. Word will get around and maybe you will be willing to take orders for during the week.

I think that's a fantastic first outing! I would keep it to bread stuffs for the beginning, then maybe expand to your handwork. However, there's nothing to stop you from using a beautiful quilt and some handmade napkins to display your wares. Then the customers will get the idea that you can do it all! Also, down the road you might solict some special orders that would allow you to make extra dollars!
Congrats!

I could certainly put a quilt top out on my table! That's a great idea - virtually no way for it to get dirty, as I found out today. Thanks, Ellen.

The idea of mini loaves of tea breads and sweet buns packaged in bags of two has certainly crossed my mind! I would love to get repeat customers that placed an order every week. I did not really have any doubts about the quality of my breads, but I wondered if people would buy. Looks like they will!

Teresa, you are really on to something great. Hey, it might not make you a million, but it could certainly blossom into something pretty lucrative. Hey, $100 or $200 bucks a day? No problem. It adds up. Mrs. Fields started that way! Even if it is just enough to save for an awesome vacation or a new car, kitchen remodel etc., that is just great. If you like doing it, enjoy the interaction with other people, I certainly encourage you to do it. There is more reward than just monetary, but of course that is the icing on the cake. I enjoy my business...taking care of animals...and it also pays the bills..but am blessed with the ability to do what I love to do and get paid for it. There is nothing better in life than enjoying what you do for a living.

Please keep the updates coming. I would love to build an outdoor brick oven and do what you are doing. It is an idea that has bounced around in my brain for a few years...now I am thinking of doing what you are doing. I really am interested in learning your experiences.

Duane

I made no judgement.

I stated that as matter-of-factly as I could.

I only wanted to make sure that if Teresa WAS thinking of it as a way to make money, then this is the simple math she has to look at.

Too many business owners somehow think that their time is worth almost nothing.

Teresa: if you are doing this strictly as a hobby and a way to socialize, then by all means GO FOR IT.

If at any time the subject of "money" comes into your mind, then you need to be serious.

Joe

Congrats! I'm so glad you found a way to make a fwe extra dollars doing something you enjoy. How many people can say that at the end of the day anyway!

Go for it and have fun!

Alexa

Good for you, Teresa. As you get more experience you will learn ways to be more efficient and increase your profit.

I love Indi's suggestion about mini loaves and muffins. We have a huge farmers market here each Saturday and tons of people walk around chomping on those types of things. It is like breakfast on the move.

Teresa, think about making business cards via your computer. Hand them out with maybe only an email address set up just for that. I've done it and oh so glad. Even when we go out to the car clubs my husband asks me to give them a business card instead of writing his name and phone number down. I will admit, I got them printed up with a lovely daylily picture on them.

You go girl! Even with a rainstorm, you did great!

Oh, Well DONE!! And the social life and fun is all part of it if it's a come as you can kind of thing.

Did you use the labels?

I love the idea of selling some of your handiwork as well.

Keep enjoying...

I did use some of the labels and I may use your design as a business card. Thanks again, loves2cook4six!

Joe, I understand that you were not judging me. One thing that I need to re-state here: I do have a full time job, with retirement, health plan, paid vacation, etc. And I work at that job 40 hours a week on a fairly strict schedule. But like many other people my age living on one income in this economy, I need to find ways to make more money. My custom quilting hobby brings in extra dollars sporadically so I wanted to find another little bit of income that did not require me to take on a part time job working for someone else - on their schedule. Making my breads after work and selling them on Saturday mornings at this small market may be one avenue. I don't have time to make lots of breads, and I don't know if many more loaves will even sell in one morning. If and when I am ever able to retire, this added income will be even more important to me, but then I will have the time to devote to it.

Once again, I do appreciate all your support and suggestions for approaches to make this venture succeed. It really helps to have your ideas to ponder.

Teresa

Teresa, I'm glad it went so well, although that wet tshirt might have helped sell that last bit of bread, LOL. Gotta market what you have, you know. (grin)

Seriously, I'm happy that you've found something that you can enjoy, do on your own schedule and make a bit of cash to boot. Heck, I work that 60 hour per week for insurance and retirement and farm on the side. I'm sure I don't make $6 an hour, but I love it so I work to support my farming habit...

May your spare time occupation make more money than mine, and may you enjoy it half as much!

Annie

May I ask how long this farmers market will be open? I know up in Ga. you can't find one in Oct. they are all closed for the season.
I agree, make some cards so maybe you can do your bread baking through out the year.
Congradulations!

I know Teresa is a smart and talented lady! I'll bet shortly people will be going to the market saying "where's that Bungalow Bread lady?"

The market runs through November - longer than most markets! I would like to get some customers who would order my breads after that, but we will see.

On another note: the husband of the chicken lady emailed me this morning to tell me of his plan to build an outdoor bake oven in the near future and wanted to know if I would be interested in a joint venture with them. He would like to see their farm be a "one-stop-shopping" farm that would offer eggs, chicken, lamb, goat's milk soap, candles, breads, and vegetables in season (grown by a gardener leasing plots on their land). Customers would come to the farm on Thursday or Friday to pick up their pre-ordered meats, knowing they could purchase vegetables and bread also. Ooooo...wood fire baked pizza and focaccia!!! Interesting idea for when/if I retire!

Teresa, that is a wonderful way to spend a few hours on Saturday morning. I do miss doing bazaars and farmers markets. It's totally worth it if you have the time. And don't forget to talk it up with some of the other vendors too. Swapping items/services is the best part. On a slower Saturday..go visit a few other booths...

I think it's a great idea about repeat customers and ones that will order after the season is over. I think an email list would be a good idea. Have a sign up sheet. That way you could send out a list of things you are going to make, a date for pick up or delivery/location..and people can lock in their order.

I absolutely love the idea of the Chicken Hubby! I get eggs from one farm, produce from another, and meat from a friend. It would be so nice to be able to stop by Friday night and get what I needed for the weekend and the rest of the week!

and I just have to quote Lou..because I almost spit my coffee out..

I'd like to see her make about 50 Dollars an Hour.
Then, she wouldn't care what part got Wet .

and having been there done that..and had a few times where the only things I left with were things I traded for..I totally agree with Joe on the money versus your time. It is best to come out ahead..more than a little..

and like Jessica...pictures are GOOD..really really Good...LOL

Congratulations, Teresa! I'm glad to hear it went so well for you, even the getting wet part. Around here, rain is almost always welcome!

I think Joe and Hawk made good points. It's difficult for artists to think in terms of money, because they're not wired that way. I know, I'm married to one. I know that Teresa is smart and understands money better than most artists, but Joe still made a good point. No matter how much fun it is, baking that bread every Friday night and going to the market every Saturday could get very old very quickly if she doesn't make a reasonable profit as well. At least, it would for me. All that being said, I'm very proud of you, and expect this venture will only get better!

Sally