A Passion for Sourdough in Coquitlam
In the heart of Coquitlam, a passionate micro baker Gianna has turned her love for sourdough into a thriving local enterprise. Her journey began amidst the solitude of the COVID-19 lockdown, when she first explored the art of creating a sourdough starter from scratch. This simple act blossomed into a daily ritual of baking artisan bread, rekindling her baking passion in the fall of 2023 after a brief pause.
Her return to baking wasn’t just about revisiting a hobby but mastering it with newfound dedication and improved skills. Unlike many, this baker offers a unique service in her area: local porch pickups, making her handcrafted loaves conveniently accessible to her community. Her distinct approach to sourdough, featuring both traditional and inventive flavours, sets her apart in a niche of her own.
The lineup of sourdough specialties includes everything from classic artisan loaves and regular-sized bagels to innovative sourdough variations with flavorful inclusions. She also offers mini loaves, ensuring a variety that caters to different tastes and preferences. She’s on the verge of expanding her visibility at local markets, aiming to share her passion with a broader audience.
Community engagement is a cornerstone of her business model. Though she’s still enhancing this aspect, her existing local network of friends and family plays a pivotal role in spreading the word. New patrons often learn about her through referrals, a testament to the community’s support. She further connects with her customers through social media, offering glimpses into her baking process and sharing the joy her bakery brings.
Ensuring customer satisfaction is crucial; she’s transparent about the ingredients—just three simple ones—used in her loaves, which she proudly lists on her packaging. She goes above and beyond to fulfill orders, even outside her planned baking schedule, to keep up with demand. She believes that sourdough is bread that sustains the heart, a philosophy that underscores the care and love she puts into each loaf.
Marketing remains her greatest challenge as she navigates the complexities of running a small business. She’s focused on enhancing her online presence to streamline ordering processes and eventually plans to set up an e-commerce platform. Part of her future strategy includes investing in a professional bread oven to increase efficiency and elevate the quality of her baked goods.
Her philosophy is simple: start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. She encourages budding entrepreneurs to step forward with confidence and patience, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in building a successful business.
As a mother of three and a wife of 27 years, her family’s unwavering support fuels her pursuit. She aims to nourish her community with wholesome, lovingly baked sourdough, capturing the essence of homemade goodness.
This Coquitlam baker’s story is not just about bread. It’s about fostering a sense of community through the shared love of baking, illustrating how a personal passion can transform into a flourishing business that brings people together.
