Rise Up! The Baker Podcast with Mark Dyck Mark Dyck: Baker and lover of bakeries

Working with a coach or consultant can be a leap too far for many small business owners, especially owner-operator independent bakeries.  Lisa Arnold set out to bridge the gap in her town of Springfield, Tennessee, with Small Town Startup, a marketing agency, startup incubator, coaching practice and meeting space. Lisa is bringing the skills and best practices usually reserved for large corporations to small businesses in an accessible, affordable, sustainable way.
In this episode, Lisa shares her story of moving to a small town and nurturing the energy and excitement of the entrepreneur community there.  Mark and Lisa discuss how she lowers the barrier to entry for her services by offering small classes and meetups, how being flexible to each business' needs has helped her grow, and how every small town needs a sparkplug to keep the small business community connected and thriving.
Helpful Links
Small Town Startup
@smalltownstartup on Instagram
Support the Podcast Here!
Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website
The Bakers4Bakers Community
Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series
Mark on Instagram
Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck
Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck
Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin
 

After working as a baker on both coasts, Amy Corliss returned to her home state twelve years ago to open her own place in downtown Fort Collins, Colorado.  She recently moved down the road to a new space and is focused on building community, growing her team and feeding the people in a converted 1905 heritage house.
In this episode, Mark and Amy talk about her pastry school experience in Vancouver, the benefits of fair but firm teachers, the evolution of good food in the centre of North America, and seeking out "partners in leadership" when building her team.
Helpful Links
Little Bird Bakeshop
@the_little_bird_bakeshop on Instagram
Support the Podcast Here!
Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website
The Bakers4Bakers Community
Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series
Mark on Instagram
Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck
Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck
Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin
 

Ed and Natasha Tatton have been building an outstanding, 100% plant based bakery in Whistler, BC for several years, and have just launched a stellar cookbook from the bakery.  The book is both approachable and very detailed, explaining the intricacies and advantages of vegan baking while bringing Ed's incredible flavour combinations to each recipe. 
In this Episode, Mark talks with Natasha and Ed to learn about what's been happening at Ed's Bred since Ed was on the show in 2021, the challenges of writing a book and testing recipes while keeping the business running, and why plant based baking is no longer just a fringe 'alternative' option.
Helpful Links
Register for the BAC Webinar: Telling the story of your bakery on Nov. 14, 2023
Ed's Bred website
Learn more about Bred: The Cookbook
@eds_bred on Instagram
Support the Podcast Here!
Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website
The Bakers4Bakers Community
Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series
Mark on Instagram
Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck
Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck
Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin
 

Martha Barber began her baking career by taking cookies into the office at Christmas time.  Now she's shipping her delicious shortbread all over Vancouver Island and onto the mainland too.
In this episode, Mark and Martha discuss the steady growth of her bakery, how strategic partnerships have helped the business grow, finding predictable, repeatable wholesale contracts and why she still thrives on the personal, human touch at her bakery.
Helpful Links
Martha's Delectables
@marthasdelectables on Instagram
Support the Podcast Here!
Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website
The Bakers4Bakers Community
Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series
Mark on Instagram
Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck
Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck
Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin
 

Okotoks, Alberta is a small community south of Calgary that boasts an old-fashioned main street, beautiful views of the Rocky Mountain foothills and, for the past few years, a top notch bakery and cafe. 
In this episode, Mark talks to Brad Labrenz and Marie-Luce Denis, owners of French50 Bakery, who are attracting hungry folk from well beyond the town limits.  They talk about how they've grown from a market bakery to renting a kitchen to recently opening their own place in an old house just off main street.  It's a conversation about family, community and bringing French tastes to Alberta.
Helpful Links
French50 Bakery
@french50bakery on Instagram
Support the Podcast Here!
Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website
The Bakers4Bakers Community
Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series
Mark on Instagram
Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck
Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck
Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin
 

With the cost of living continuing to rise, bakers and other food service workers are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet.  The Living Wage for Families Campaign is focused on identifying the real costs of living in Canadian cities and works with businesses to move toward paying employees a real living wage.
In this episode, Mark talks with Anastasia French of the BC arm of Living Wage for Families about the rise in the living wage standard over the past year across the province, the particular challenges within the food service industry, and how her organization can help bakery owners implement living wage strategies at their bakery.
Helpful Links
Living Wage for Families website
@lwforfamilies on Instagram
Support the Podcast Here!
Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website
The Bakers4Bakers Community
Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series
Mark on Instagram
Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck
Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck
Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin