6 business lessons I learned from making sourdough bread
I jumped on the sourdough bread train late. To be exact January 2023…way past it being the cool/trendy thing to do during the pandemic. And let me tell you sourdough has tested my perfectionism and patience in more ways than one. Having a clean bowl like every other chef on the Cooking Network I see is something I’ve yet to achieve. Being sticky, having flour all over the place, and boules coming out lopsided or completely flat is what my norm looks like.
After countless fails and less-than-perfect loaves, I still attempt to make sourdough bread. And it’s not because of the cost of bread at the grocery store (even though that may have been my initial reason). But because it pushes me out of my comfort zone and I love sharing it with my family. My boyfriend can attest to the flavor being there. There are just some inconsistencies with the appearance…which doesn’t hold him back from eating it. And when I’m visiting my family in MA, my nephews get to help me. It’s quality time together when I don’t get to see them in person very often.
Yes, I get frustrated, annoyed, and even disappointed when things don’t go my way. But instead of throwing it out or giving up and never baking another loaf again, I keep chugging along like The Little Train That Could. Here are 6 business lessons I learned from making sourdough bread:
Business lesson #1: You can follow the recipe exactly and you still won’t get the same results
Well, doesn’t this feel like a punch to the stomach? I don’t know how many business courses I bought whose premise is “I’m giving you the exact steps that grew my business to 6 figures in my first year”. Honestly, whenever I hear this I roll my eyes and think “Yeah ok”. I’d be lying if I wasn’t a little jaded or skeptical when I hear those types of claims. But the thing is what works for them may or may not work for the next person. This is why whenever I enroll in a course or invest in a coach, I take what resonates with me and run with it.
For example, my marketing coach recommended the one-minute IG selfie challenge as a way to build your confidence on camera. She didn’t tell just me. She told the whole coaching container. For some, it didn’t ring true. For me, I flourished. It took me out of my shell and I still use it today. It’s part of my bare minimum marketing strategy when I feel swamped with other parts of my business. I think that’s what I love about baking — well cooking in general — that once you learn the basic recipe you then can add your flair and make it yours. The same thing applies to business.
Business lesson #2: There are things outside of your control
Temperature is a big one when it comes to sourdough bread making. If it’s too cold in your home, then the starter is going to take longer to rise. If it’s too hot, it’ll rise faster and may overproof. When you live in an apartment where you have no control over the thermostat, then you have to make do with what you have. And then there’s the humidity. For some reason, I love to make sourdough when it rains which usually leaves me with a soupy mess. There’s nothing else I can do besides to reflect on what happened and try again.
In business, you may have followed your launch plan to a T and still haven’t booked a new client. That’s not your fault. There are things like recessions, the horror in the news, or even personal circumstances your ideal client is facing that are out of your control. There's no magic wand to wave to create the perfect scenario for your ideal client to buy. So reflect on how well you showed up, pivot if needed, and try again.
Business lesson #3: Things are going to get sticky
I hate messy mediums and don’t like to get dirty. So you could only imagine how uncomfortable I am when I’m stretching and folding sticky sourdough. It’s my least favorite part of the whole process. And then trying to wash off dried dough from my arms and when it’s cemented onto my skin. Ouch!
Business can be sticky sometimes too…especially when you are trying to push yourself to that next level. Whether that’s increasing your revenue goal, trying to automate your sales process, or testing out new tech, there’s always a hurdle you need to push yourself through. Eventually, it gets easier and feels second nature.
Business lesson #4: Asking for help lets you do more
I am now that person who travels with their sourdough starter. Obvi domestic only and only if I’m going to bake at my destination. If I’m traveling and can’t feed my sourdough starter, I recruit my sister or boyfriend to do it. I appreciate the help because I get to live my life away from my house. But they have their own lives too. Between a busy work schedule and kids running around, they may forget to feed it. First, sourdough starters are tough to kill…unless they accidentally get thrown away. And then you need patience when reactivating it.
The same goes for business. There will come a time when you need to stop white-knuckling every detail in your business and ask for help. That could be in the form of a consultant, coach, contractor, or even an employee. Your goal as the CEO is to set them up for success. Let them know your goals and what the current challenge is. Then give them the tools they need so they can get the results you want. What you shouldn’t do is add their task back onto your to-do list. If you try to do it all, eventually your business will plateau… or worse, you’ll burn out. That’s why being patient is essential too because not everyone learns as quickly as you do. I haven’t hired a full-time employee yet, but what I’m learning is setting clear expectations is key. Both parties need to agree on what they will bring to the table to reduce any surprises or missed deadlines.
Business lesson #5: Learn to pivot
There are days when I’m making sourdough bread and the dough isn’t holding its form. In these instances, I decided this week we are having focaccia instead of a boule. Same results. Different form. I’m ok with pivoting mid-way because I’m not attached to the how. My goal is to have tasty bread to eat for the week. Not that I followed the process step by step.
Sometimes in business, pivoting is necessary. For example, tweaking your offer messaging, revamping your package deliverables, and changing who your target audience is. These pivots may help you achieve your ultimate goal faster…aka make more money. But if you believe there’s only one way to get things done in your business, you are more susceptible to missed opportunities.
Business lesson #6: When you continue to try, eventually it’ll work out
There are times when I’m on a roll with making sourdough bread. It feels like all the planets aligned and I end up with cookbook-worthy boules of sourdough. But there was no magic. Just my consistency and my openness to learn and reflect.
Now, I’m not saying you won’t become a 6 figure business owner in your first year. That’s certainly a possibility. But I don’t want you to beat yourself up if you don’t get it right on the first try. And start to think that all your efforts were a waste because that’s not true. I’ve seen fellow business owners almost quit their businesses and then somehow turn everything around. And now, they are on top of the world.
Consistency is believing in yourself when no one else does. Consistency is showing up when you feel like you are talking into the digital abyss. Consistency is taking one baby step every single day in your business. Remember you are worthy of receiving everything you desire. You just need to meet your desires at their level.
Will sourdough bread be my next stream of revenue?! Hell no lol. For me, making sourdough bread is another way to flex my creativity. I guess you can say it’s my version of sculpting. It’s something I can pick up and put down without the pressure to profit from it. It’s fun to try something new and put myself outside my comfort zone.
