Small Business Quick WINS: From Passion to Profit with Paige Graham of Sweet as Choice Bakery

Presented by Thryv | Hosted by Jay Schwedelson

In this engaging episode of Small Business Quick WINS, host Jay Schwedelson sits down with Paige Graham, the dynamic founder of Sweet as Choice Bakery based in New Zealand. Released on February 18, 2025, this episode delves deep into Paige's entrepreneurial journey, offering invaluable insights and actionable strategies for small business owners aiming to turn their passions into profitable ventures.

Introducing Sweet as Choice Bakery

[02:40] Jay Schwedelson: "Before we get into, like, your story and everything, what is Sweet as Choice Bakery? What do you actually do?"

Paige Graham passionately shares her vision for Sweet as Choice Bakery, emphasizing her commitment to reviving traditional New Zealand baking. "Sweet as Choice Bakery is what I wanted to be—a very Kiwi New Zealand bakery. So we make all New Zealand classic baking items, things that our grandmas used to make for us, and you don't see as often on the shelves anymore. So I wanted to bring that nostalgia back to people and give things that they enjoy and they want."

Turning Passion into Profit

Jay acknowledges Paige's remarkable achievement in transforming a childhood passion into a thriving business. He inquires about the pivotal moment when she decided to take the leap.

[03:18] Jay: "You've done something that I think people dream about doing. You took something that you were passionate about as even a child growing up... How did you actually make the leap to do it?"

Paige candidly discusses the financial and skill-building challenges she faced. "A lot of it came down to finance that I would have started a lot earlier had I had the money to be able to start. So for me, it was just building my skills and building my bank account at the same time to be able to then launch into doing my own thing."

Launching the Bakery: Challenges and Learning

Nearly a year into her venture, Paige reflects on the initial stages of launching Sweet as Choice Bakery.

[04:34] Jay: "How long have you had the bakery now?"

[04:37] Paige: "Nearly a year. So next month it'll be a year that I've had the bakery. It's gone really fast. It feels like it's only been a few months, but, yeah, nearly a year."

When asked about the startup phase, Paige emphasizes the importance of adaptability. "There's always things that you think are going to work really well, and then until you actually do it and then start talking to customers, obviously tweak things and change things."

Importance of Customer Feedback and Adaptation

A significant portion of their discussion centers around the critical role of customer feedback in shaping business strategies.

[06:02] Jay: "Do you prioritize things like reviews online and marketing efforts? How do you get that feedback and then promote what you are selling?"

Paige underscores the necessity of direct customer interaction. "I definitely think that reviews and talking to the customer is the most important thing. Just because what I have in my head I think is good doesn't mean everyone else does."

She elaborates on her methods for gathering feedback, including direct conversations, encouraging reviews, and adapting products based on customer preferences.

Marketing Strategies and Customer Engagement

Effective marketing is a cornerstone of Sweet as Choice Bakery's success. Paige shares her multi-faceted approach to reaching and engaging customers.

[08:01] Jay: "Do you try to collect email addresses from people? How do you communicate your product offering to people?"

[08:01] Paige: "Social media is a big part of it. TikTok is the place where I think I probably get my most engagement... I definitely get people's email addresses from the website. I have a mailing list that people can sign up for..."

Paige highlights the importance of building a personal connection through platforms like TikTok and maintaining ongoing communication via email newsletters. "It's just kind of trying to direct people to social media to keep up with me, to keep that personal connection online so then they feel like they can talk to me as well."

Managing Time and Business Operations

Balancing multiple responsibilities poses a significant challenge for small business owners. Paige discusses her strategies for effective time management and operational efficiency.

[09:14] Jay: "How do you handle all of that? How do you do that and not lose your mind?"

[09:14] Paige: "It is really hard to monitor your personal time and work time... I definitely make a lot of lists and work through the lists of things and try to bulk do things as well."

One of her key tools in managing administrative tasks is Thrive, a business management software sponsored by the podcast. Paige shares how Thrive has been instrumental in streamlining her operations: "Thrive saves me so much time in doing that. And I'm lucky that I found it right at the beginning of when I started my business... Now take me less than two minutes [to create invoices]."

Future Plans and Growth Strategies

Looking ahead, Paige is steadfast in her commitment to expanding Sweet as Choice Bakery.

[11:30] Jay: "Are you now saying, we're going to grow this thing or you still feel like, I don't know, I don't know if we're going to make it to year two."

[11:30] Paige: "Definitely. Growing is my absolute goal. This has been my lifelong dream. So even if it wasn't working, I would still say that it's growth because I want it to work."

Paige outlines her plans to diversify her offerings, including introducing a gluten-free kitchen to cater to customers with specific dietary needs. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on successful areas while continuously seeking improvement in others.

Signature Products and Popular Items

Every bakery has its standout items, and Sweet as Choice Bakery is no exception. Jay probes into what customers rave about the most.

[13:36] Paige: "Our most popular is probably our melting moments. So it's like two vanilla cookies sandwiched together with a lemon icing in between. And the cookies melt in your mouth as soon as you bite into it."

These indulgent treats, available in various flavors like passion fruit, chocolate, and caramel, encapsulate the nostalgic and high-quality ethos of Paige's bakery.

Conclusion and Where to Follow

As the conversation wraps up, Paige provides listeners with avenues to connect and stay updated with Sweet as Choice Bakery.

[14:10] Paige: "So we're on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok at Sweet as Choice Bakery. And we've also got a website as well that you can sign up to a mailing list and get emails from us, too."

Jay expresses his enthusiasm for Paige's products and anticipates future collaborations, hinting at potential international shipping in the works.

Key Takeaways

1. Passion and Preparation: Turning a passion into a profitable business requires both heartfelt commitment and practical preparation, including financial planning and skill development.

2. Adaptability is Crucial: Being open to feedback and willing to pivot based on customer preferences can significantly enhance business success.

3. Effective Marketing Drives Growth: Leveraging multiple marketing channels, especially social media, helps in building a loyal customer base and maintaining ongoing engagement.

4. Operational Efficiency Matters: Utilizing the right tools, such as business management software, can streamline operations and free up valuable time for strategic planning.

5. Diversification for Sustainability: Expanding product offerings and catering to niche markets, like gluten-free options, can open new revenue streams and cater to a broader audience.

This episode serves as an inspiring blueprint for small business owners, illustrating how passion, coupled with strategic planning and customer-centric approaches, can lead to thriving enterprises. Paige Graham's journey with Sweet as Choice Bakery is a testament to the power of dedication, adaptability, and effective marketing in building a successful business.

Follow Sweet as Choice Bakery on:

• Facebook: Sweet as Choice Bakery
• Instagram: Sweet as Choice Bakery
• TikTok: Sweet as Choice Bakery
• Website: SweetAsChoiceBakery.com

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