Episode 302: Building a Profitable Business from Home as a Mom: Lessons from a Micro Bakery | Lily of Flour Barn Bakery

Simple Farmhouse Life
Host: Lisa Bass
Guest: Lillian Hutchins, Co-owner of Flower Barn Bakery
Release Date: August 12, 2025

Introduction

In this insightful episode of Simple Farmhouse Life, host Lisa Bass welcomes Lillian Hutchins, the co-owner of Flower Barn Bakery, to discuss the intricacies of building and maintaining a profitable home-based business while balancing motherhood. Drawing from over five years of experience, Lillian shares invaluable lessons on entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and the operational dynamics of running a micro bakery.

Starting a Micro Bakery with Purpose

Lillian Hutchins introduces herself and her bakery, Flower Barn Bakery, located near Columbus, Ohio. She emphasizes that their primary goal was never to amass wealth but to create a harmonious life where they could be present mothers while contributing financially to their families.

Lillian [01:09]: "From the beginning our goal was never to get rich. You know, it was to create this peaceful life where we could be mothers, present mothers and also make some money for our families."

Partnering with her sister and father, Lillian highlights the importance of finding joy in tasks and processes, ensuring that busyness stems from passion rather than obligation. This foundational mindset has been pivotal in shaping the bakery's growth and sustainability.

Balancing Business and Parenthood

One of the core themes of the episode is the delicate balance between running a business and managing a household. Lillian discusses how they established rhythms and boundaries to prevent burnout and maintain quality in both personal and professional spheres.

Lillian [09:13]: "So really just finding tasks and processes that bring you joy because it's not necessarily a bad thing to be busy if you're getting joy from it, but it's just finding, like, where's the line?"

She acknowledges that the early stages of their business demanded significant time investment, often blurring the lines between work and family. However, as the business became more established, they were able to implement a more structured schedule, allowing for greater flexibility and presence at home.

Operational Strategies and Growth

Lillian delves into the operational aspects of Flower Barn Bakery, detailing how they manage various channels such as their physical store, blog, YouTube channel, and social media. She underscores the importance of setting clear boundaries to ensure that work does not encroach excessively on personal life.

Lillian [11:00]: "Even I think what really stresses people out, like with bulk baking for their micro bakery is just figuring out a process that makes things simple. Like, that's been the hardest part."

A significant breakthrough for Flower Barn Bakery was transitioning from hand-rolling dough to using a sheeter, which streamlined their production process and increased efficiency. This shift not only optimized their workflow but also allowed them to scale their operations without compromising quality.

Cost Analysis and Profit Optimization

Lillian emphasizes the critical role of cost analysis in running a profitable micro bakery. She shares how involvement from her father was instrumental in implementing cost-cutting measures and optimizing processes to enhance profit margins.

Lillian [13:05]: "If we just change this one thing or if it takes us 10 minutes less to do this rollout, we'll be at a much better place profit wise."

Forrest, the co-host, agrees, highlighting a common pitfall among entrepreneurs who often prefer to work harder rather than smarter. Lillian's approach demonstrates the value of strategic planning and process optimization in building a sustainable business.

Menu Development and Pre-order System

Flower Barn Bakery's menu is thoughtfully curated to balance high-demand items with the capacity to produce them efficiently. Lillian discusses their reliance on a pre-order system to gauge demand, which helps them prepare adequately for busy days, especially during holidays.

Lillian [33:46]: "So our pre order system is what we use to kind of gauge what kind of, what kind of amount of people we're going to get."

This system proved invaluable during high-demand periods, such as the Fourth of July, where pre-orders allowed them to manage large crowds effectively. Lillian also shares insights on menu diversification, highlighting how adding items like cream-filled croissants and breakfast sandwiches not only cater to varied tastes but also improve overall profitability.

Embracing Whole Grain Baking

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around integrating whole grains into their baking process. Lillian offers practical tips for home bakers looking to substitute fresh milled flour into traditional recipes without compromising quality.

Lillian [50:10]: "If you're wanting a crunchy artisan loaf and you're having trouble with maybe a sourdough one, that sometimes just doing a yeasted artisan loaf with whole grains can be an easier option."

She advises on understanding gluten development and adjusting recipes accordingly to maintain the desired texture and structure in baked goods. This knowledge not only enhances the quality of their products but also deepens Lillian's appreciation and expertise in baking.

Sustainable Business Practices

Flower Barn Bakery operates primarily on Fridays and Saturdays, strategically choosing days that align with higher customer traffic and profitability. Lillian explains how this limited schedule aids in maintaining work-life balance while ensuring that operational demands are met without overextension.

Lillian [18:26]: "We wanted to provide high quality and high quantity products as moms, but now it's really, just really worked out for us in ways we didn't expect."

By concentrating their efforts on peak days, they maximize their productivity and reduce the strain of constant operation. This approach also fosters a sense of exclusivity and anticipation among their customers, reinforcing their brand presence in the community.

Advice for Aspiring Micro Bakery Owners

Lillian offers heartfelt advice to listeners considering starting their own micro bakeries. She encourages entrepreneurs to focus on high-quality products, leverage community support, and remain open to learning and adapting.

Lillian [41:15]: "But like every bakery started from a home baker. Like croissants in the beginning were made by loving people who wanted to create this beautiful, flaky pastry for their community."

She emphasizes the importance of starting with popular items, such as cinnamon rolls, which consistently draw customers and provide a reliable revenue stream. Additionally, she highlights the significance of passion and love for baking as foundational elements for long-term business success.

Leveraging Digital Platforms

Flower Barn Bakery's active presence on digital platforms, including their blog and YouTube channel, plays a crucial role in their business strategy. Lillian shares how creating "Week in the Life" videos has not only engaged their audience but also provided deeper insights into their operations.

Lillian [24:25]: "I've started doing these week in the Life videos... it just gets overwhelming to do it every week. So I've been doing one every two weeks for the past couple weeks."

These digital endeavors help in building a community around their brand, offering transparency, and sharing valuable content that inspires and educates other home-based entrepreneurs and bakers.

Conclusion

In this episode, Lillian Hutchins provides a comprehensive overview of building and sustaining a profitable micro bakery from home. Her experiences underscore the importance of strategic planning, process optimization, and maintaining a passionate and balanced approach to entrepreneurship. Listeners are left with actionable insights and encouragement to pursue their own home-based business ventures with confidence and purpose.

Notable Quotes:

• Lillian [01:09]: "From the beginning our goal was never to get rich. You know, it was to create this peaceful life where we could be mothers, present mothers and also make some money for our families."

• Lillian [09:13]: "So really just finding tasks and processes that bring you joy because it's not necessarily a bad thing to be busy if you're getting joy from it, but it's just finding, like, where's the line?"

• Lillian [13:05]: "If we just change this one thing or if it takes us 10 minutes less to do this rollout, we'll be at a much better place profit wise."

• Lillian [33:46]: "So our pre order system is what we use to kind of gauge what kind of, what kind of amount of people we're going to get."

• Lillian [41:15]: "But like every bakery started from a home baker. Like croissants in the beginning were made by loving people who wanted to create this beautiful, flaky pastry for their community."

• Lillian [50:10]: "If you're wanting a crunchy artisan loaf and you're having trouble with maybe a sourdough one, that sometimes just doing a yeasted artisan loaf with whole grains can be an easier option."

• Lillian [18:26]: "We wanted to provide high quality and high quantity products as moms, but now it's really, just really worked out for us in ways we didn't expect."

This episode serves as a valuable resource for moms and home-based entrepreneurs aspiring to build successful businesses without compromising their personal lives. Lillian's journey with Flower Barn Bakery exemplifies how passion, strategic planning, and community engagement can culminate in a thriving micro enterprise.