Running a microbakery is rewarding, but when business grows faster than expected, it can quickly become overwhelming—especially when you're also raising a family. In this post, we’ll dive into a real-life coaching session with Melissa Crow of Crow’s Dough, where we troubleshoot the challenges of juggling bake days, family time, and the logistics of a growing business.
Melissa’s story is one that so many of us can relate to: a business that started as a small side project quickly turned into something much bigger, bringing with it new challenges, from long bake days to investing in better equipment. If you’re feeling stretched thin between your bakery and your family, this post is full of practical strategies to help you streamline your workflow, set boundaries, and create a schedule that works for your life.
1. Finding Time for Your Business Without Sacrificing Sleep
One of the biggest struggles for Melissa was figuring out when to mix and shape dough while caring for three young kids. She noticed other bakers waking up at 3 AM to mix dough, but that just wasn’t realistic in her season of life.
Key Takeaways:
Don't sacrifice sleep to bake. A well-rested baker (and mom!) is far more efficient than one running on empty.
Look for flexible prep tasks. Pre-measuring flour and ingredients ahead of time can make morning mixing easier.
Adjust fermentation times. Using warmer water or increasing starter percentage can speed up proofing to fit a more reasonable schedule.
💡 Tip: If your hands are in dough during your kids’ peak "mommy time," consider shifting your workflow to align with nap time or independent play.
2. Structuring Your Day to Reduce Stress
Melissa shared that her biggest stress point was juggling dough mixing while tending to her kids. Some days felt chaotic, with constant interruptions and a sense of never being fully present in either role.
Strategies to Create a Smoother Workflow:
Use a visual schedule for kids. Letting them see what’s coming next helps them feel included and gives them a sense of routine.
Plan independent activities. Special “baking time” toys or sensory bins can keep little ones occupied while you mix dough.
Batch tasks whenever possible. Roasting garlic for inclusion loaves or pre-mixing dry ingredients on a slower day can make dough days run smoother.
💡 Tip: Instead of scrambling to measure ingredients in the morning, pre-measure dry ingredients the day before when the kids are napping or occupied.
3. Investing in the Right Equipment at the Right Time
Melissa realized that her rapid growth required better tools to keep up with demand. She went from baking 10-15 loaves a week to 60+ loaves per week, and her current setup just wasn’t cutting it.
Smart Equipment Upgrades to Consider:
A Bread Oven: If you’re running your home oven for 12+ hours a day, an upgrade can drastically improve efficiency.
A Dough Mixer: Hand mixing large batches of dough can be exhausting. Investing in a mixer can save time and energy.
An Extra Fridge or Freezer: A second fridge for bulk fermentation or a converted freezer with a temperature controller can improve workflow without breaking the bank.
💡 Budget Tip: Instead of buying new, look for Facebook Marketplace deals or consider a refurbished option.
4. Setting Boundaries to Avoid Burnout
Melissa shared that while she loved growing her business, she also wanted to keep family her priority. One of the biggest lessons in this coaching session was giving yourself permission to scale at a pace that fits your life.
How to Set Healthy Boundaries in Your Business:
Close pre-orders earlier. This allows time to prepare ingredients and plan bake days without last-minute stress.
Hire a part-time helper. A mother's helper for a few hours during dough prep can be a game-changer.
Know when to say no. Not every opportunity is the right fit—sometimes, turning down an order or event is the best choice.
💡 Mindset Shift: Growth doesn’t have to mean pushing yourself to the limit. It can mean optimizing what’s already working so you can grow sustainably.
5. Planning for Future Growth
With the next farmers’ market season coming up, Melissa wanted to make sure she was better prepared. Instead of feeling rushed, we discussed creating a timeline for equipment upgrades and workflow improvements before things ramped up again.
Action Steps to Prepare for the Next Growth Season:
Set savings goals for new equipment. Breaking big purchases into small weekly or monthly goals makes them feel more attainable.
Refine your workflow now. Testing new schedules and fermentation methods in the slower months will help you fine-tune your process before markets pick back up.
Adjust pricing if needed. If scaling requires major investments, it might be time to re-evaluate pricing to ensure profitability.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Do It All
Melissa’s story is one that so many microbakers can relate to. Running a home-based bakery while raising little ones is a delicate balance. Some weeks feel smooth, while others feel like a juggling act. But by making small, intentional changes—whether it's shifting your schedule, investing in the right tools, or setting boundaries—you can build a business that works for your life, not the other way around.
📌 RESOURCES & LINKS
🌟 Download My Free Planner Pages for Microbakers → Download Here
🌟 Follow Melissa (@crowesdough) on Instagram
🌟 Book a One-on-One Coaching Call → Here
🌟 Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery! → Download Here
What’s one small tweak you’ve made in your business that had a big impact? Drop a comment or tag me @carolinebower_sourdough on Instagram—I’d love to hear from you!
Happy baking!
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