Mission 3.4

For this Mission we had to chose someone who is our definition of success. I chose Jo from Little Jo Berry’s. I was lucky enough to talk with/interview Jo to get some information about her and her business.

This is the information I got and why I decided to write about her!

My definition of success is when you feel like you have reached a point in school or working (ect.) when you know what you are doing, you understand what you’re doing and you enjoy what you’re doing. You are successful when you know what your ‘purpose’ is and you pursue it.

I asked her to answer some questions, you can read the question and her answers below!

Question: Why did you chose to open a vegan bakery?

Answer: “I always wanted to have my own shop, I imagined doing this as an older lady. Maybe after I worked other jobs for a long time and maybe save enough money. And then it just became the time, I wanted to be my own boss. I'm vegan so I couldn't imagine baking any other way.”

Q: Do you find it challenging to always bake vegan and come up with new and exciting recipes all the time?

A: “I did wholesale baking for a few years, I would have to bake 1000 of the same thing at a time and that kind of stuff. I didn't really have a lot of time to be creative and try out new things. I don't think it's hard to bake new things I think it's exciting.”

Q: Do you think that new customers know that your food is vegan? Does it surprize them?
A: Not a lot of people walk in here and don't know that is vegan, it's kind of like our little secret. Most people will just come in buy our treats and never know. Sometimes people find out we’re dairy free and that surprises them. People in this neighbourhood are very welcoming.”

Q: How long have  you wanted to open up your own bakery?
A: “I've wanted to be a business owner since I was a kid, like 12 or 13. Idd always think of new ideas like a baby sitting company or a dog sitting company. I always knew I wanted to be my own boss. As I started getting more baking jobs I realized that was what I wanted to do”

Q: Do you feel that you will open up more bakeries? Like a chain? Or just keep the one you have now?
A: “I always have the drive to do more, be more and own more. But I'm really happy here right now and there's so much stuff to do all the time. If I was to open up a new restaurant or expand our family I would want it to be something related to us but different, like more savory food or an icecream shop. Something that is a new idea. It would be in a long time.”

Q: How does your day start?
A: “It starts really early, I usually wake up about 4am. I walk my dogs, and then I slowly make my way here for usually 5. Then we start baking from 5-8am, then we open and one of us will open up as the barista and the other will be in the kitchen. The busy days we have more people come in and open. On the average day it's just 2 of us.”

Q: Did you go to school for baking?
A: “I didn't go to school for baking at all, I learned it all from experience. From working in bakeries and kitchens. I learned from using my hands.”

Q: Do you have a favorite treat that you sell in store?
A: “We just started doing ice cream sandwiches, they're my favorite. Ice Cream is my favorite dessert so anything I can put it on is good.”

Q: What is it like working with family members?
A: “It's good because even if you have an argument you can rely on your family and you'll get through things. Working with my brother is very easy, he's very accommodating. He knows this is my dream so he’ll always do what's best. And he knows me so you can talk about ideas and really be honest.”

Q: Who inspires you?
A: “Any time you work in a kitchen with someone who wants to be in a kitchen, is inspiring. Anytime you work with someone who is a baker and they get really passionate about their food that really inspires me.”

Q: What is your definition of success?
A: “I feel like everyday I get closer to success, I know that it's very soon to say this but I think I do. My original 5 year plan was to have kids and bring them here and watch them grow up with the shop. I just think that would be so incredible. So for me I feel like being success is letting my shop to open to anyone and everyone.”

Q: What is your goal for this bakery?
A: “The main goal is to create a safe environment where anyone can feel able to eat whatever they feel comfortable eating and to feel good about what they're eating.”

Q: How do you hire your employees?
A: “At first I wasn't going to hire anyone, I thought it could just be me. But when it started to get busier I started to hire people who just came here a lot. I have a lot of kindness in my life and where I work so when I offered them a job it brought more kindness.”