What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
Rebecca Scarberry
Owner
Becky’s Blissful Bakery
214 Oakton Ave., Pewaukee
Industry: Gourmet Food/Wholesale
Number of employees: 11
Family: My son, Paul
- “Hired a candy consultant to help us extend our shelf life. We went from 5 weeks to 3 months and counting. We did this with no preservatives, took out half the sugar and changed our cooking process.
- We relocated to a new facility and started Saturday retail hours from 9a.m.-1p.m.
- Partnered with a third local company, Stone Creek Coffee.
- Purchased equipment that increased our production capacity.”
What’s new at your company?
- “Seasonal products including our Champagne Caramels that will be out for New Year’s!
- We now offer fundraising opportunities with our gourmet caramels.
- Corporate gifting and gift packages
- Hired additional staff for production and sales.
- Expanded our wholesaling to Madison, Chicago and the Lake Geneva areas.
- New website.”
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
“We continue to grow and plan to hire additional staff as our sales increase and we enter into new markets.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“Keeping up with growth, production and cash-flow.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“Going local, organic, gluten free and not using corn syrup or preservatives.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“Of course, Make it Blissful! Every bite, every experience, every customer.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“Russ Klisch from Lakefront Brewery, Eric Resch from Stone Creek Coffee, Sue Jacobson from AIC, Jim Lindenberg from Lindy Enterprises, and Jeri Mesching from East Shore Specialty Foods…It takes a village to run a business!”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“Follow your instincts and treat your customers and associates like family.”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
“Jane Kirkwood and I moving the business to our new facility by pushing everything down the street on rolling racks while our business neighbors watched through their windows.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“My son Paul and I recently started playing racquetball and tennis together. I also enjoy running, triathlons, baking and cooking.”
