Baking For Business Podcast
The Baking For Business podcast is dedicated to helping you start and grow your home bakery business and scale and expand with digital products. We believe bakers and treat makers can earn money in multiple ways by sharing their gifts and talents.
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Baking For Business Podcast
#Ep 62: How one courageous baker is using her mission to spark advocacy
Meet Sarah, a Jewish baker who is all about baking bread and building bridges. Sara is all about supporting organizations that address social and racial injustices. This isn't your ordinary baking company. Sara, along with her siblings, embarked on this journey as a simple family activity during the pandemic. Little did they know that their passion for baking would evolve into a platform for sparking dialogues, raising awareness, and weaving unity. Their mission? To bring communities together and contribute to organizations striving for equity and social justice.
In this episode we will cover:
- How to use your businesses mission to spark change
- The importance of collaborating with others in businesses
- How to handle difficulties when addressing conflict within business
- and so much more
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Hey, sweet friends, my name is Chef Schaumburg. I started my baking business with a bottle of DeCerono and one Bundt Cake Man. Fast forward to today, from news to magazines, speaking on national stages and more. I can truly say that baking has changed my life. So now, as a bakery business coach, i get to help others have the same success. I've helped hundreds of my students across the world in my global membership program create six-figure businesses, mainly from home.
Speaker 1:The Baking for Business podcast is an extension of that, from actionable tips to valuable tools and resources that can impact you as a business owner. I truly believe, y'all, we would never have been given a gift if we couldn't profit and prosper from it. So come on, darling. What are you waiting for? What's going on, sweet friends, and welcome to the Baking for Business podcast, y'all.
Speaker 1:I'm so excited for today's guest because this young lady and her siblings what they started is so amazing. When I tell you they give back to so many different organizations, it's mind blowing. But I don't think I've ever really met a baker or bakers with this big of a mission, and so today is going to be amazing. Today our guest, kala Back Girls, is an amazing company, now owned by Sarah, who is an awesome Jewish woman whose passion for baking goes beyond her mouthwatering baked goods. She's really embarked on a mission to spark conversations, raise awareness and foster unity through the powerful act of baking. And so she's here with us today as we explore the fascinating journey of her amazing company, how she started and how they really just use their voice and their mission in order to raise so much awareness around all of these racial as well as social injustices. Sarah, welcome to the Baking for Business podcast. I'm so happy to have you beautiful.
Speaker 2:Hello, I should say Kala, So everyone listening. I'm so excited to be here and thank you for having me and what Kala Back Girls represents today.
Speaker 1:Kala Back Girls. I love that. Kala Back Girls, Darlin. Take us to the beginning. How did this all begin? because you actually started Kala Back Girls with your other three siblings, Yeah. So how did this all start for you?
Speaker 2:guys. It's wild to think about and it's our third birthday this month, in June, so that's exciting. But I am one of four and we were. Our family is one of the first people isolated in the country, as my youngest sister, eliana, attended the first school in the nation to close during COVID And we began baking to pass the days, specifically Kala, because that was what we grew up baking on a little index card that our mom had written on. And we baked other goodies too, because, yeah, but we really, every single week we baked Kala and we enjoyed this activity as a family that we hadn't really done together in probably a decade, since we were all in the house prior.
Speaker 2:At the time, our mom worked at a local hospital in the yard as a social worker and we would bake Kala for the frontline healthcare heroes boarding up together without their families as a way to connect and share our resources, as I mean, shelves were emptying in crisis mode nationwide and it was. It's really it's out of body experience to think about. And for those who may not be familiar with Kala, it is a Jewish braided bread typically enjoyed on holidays and a Sabbath, and it's super yummy and you can make it in different shapes and sizes and flavors especially. We'll get into that. And so our family would post about what we were doing, what we were baking, in kind of a lighthearted way across our socials, kind of sharing what we were up to and this board it in the house time and people started to ask if they could buy our Kala. I mean, people's resources were low, people were looking for different ways to connect and we were touched and also realizing that this new movement of what sharing resources meant in this climate and crisis mode. But we didn't feel comfortable selling it for profit with everything going on. I mean it was. So we in our family have our own health awarenesses and anxieties and so addressing that in our space and also I'm just watching the news because we weren't going out And then and then the murder of George Floyd happened and it sparked even more soul searching conversation within our family and for the people that we were connecting with on a day-to-day basis.
Speaker 2:And we all attended protests, which then inspired brains, more brainstorming about how we might be able to merge Kala baking with the essential work of promoting equity in our country and educating ourselves also as white, jewish American people. And so that was the first evolution layer. And we would do. We would research organizations with social and racial justice agendas, we would sell our Kala and then we would donate the proceeds to those organizations highlighting that work. And in each Kala package we would staple a little, a little paper of their mission so that the customers could also learn about these important missions and hear or read directly from other marginalized voices.
Speaker 2:And so then this baking, selling and highlighting of organizations working to advance equity in diverse ways began as this weekly commitment but quickly turned into a monthly partnership model once we realized that collaborating with an organization monthly gave us more time to create a robust partnership where we could learn about their mission, how we can respectfully highlight their voice on our platforms, cultivate this environment that's like fun and meaningful to both of us, and also just show mutual support and like eat yummy Kala. And so it was just this total intersection and became a multi layered activity And we were also realizing that highlighting organizations weekly by the time we researched the organization, picked it, connected with their team if we connected at all learns about their work, and then the week was over, big the Kala and sold it and the week was over and there was no depth in both educational and service aspects, and that was kind of like the the last evolution layer to what became an established business. So in June 2020, officially CBG was born and combined this love of our Chala recipe that we share together and passion for change and commitment to serve as this voice of change. And now we're just in this, baking all the time and bringing together communities and organizations and highlighting those voices while infusing our Jewish values of giving back to community and eating Chala together. It all just culminated in this beautiful package quite literally a package And after baking everything out of our home kitchen for almost two years I mean, i owe my parents an oven.
Speaker 2:For sure, things are evolving and growing, but Chala Back Girls remains committed to our core pillars, which is advocacy and education, connecting through and indulging in delicious Chala and this diversity, equity and inclusion and belonging work. And today we bake out of a local kosher, nut-free, dairy-free bakery. We ship nationwide and continue to partner with community leaders and organizations through these shared values of creating a just society and repairing the world. And that is where we are today. And I will add that by ordering Chala, people have shared with us and this continues to be our goal and highlight weekly, but by ordering Chala, people have the opportunity to amplify these important efforts to transform communities and for a better society. They have the opportunity to learn something new, maybe about an organization or person they would have never come across of, and also break bread and just eat together, send to a loved one, sponsor a Chala for someone in need and just enjoy nourishing the soul together honestly.
Speaker 1:That is so amazing because you and your other siblings so together, four sisters, like you stated you witnessed, like a lot of us did, witnessed on TV George, Floyd, Amon, Aubrey, Brianna, Taylor and so we're seeing this stuff on television. We're having these conversations in our home, but you are four Jewish young ladies. So to not only sit back and actually have the conversation, but then to turn that into a business and continue to have the conversation, and not just about Black injustices I was on you guys' website Race creed, color really doesn't matter. You guys highlight a lot of different people and you support a lot of different people. And so in building that, Sarah, how do you navigate conversations about race and social injustices? Because I'm pretty sure, as a Jewish woman, have you ever encountered any resistance And, if so, how do you handle that? by saying this is why we bake, we support these people and this is who and what we believe in.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's a deep, intentional question And we sometimes we would. I'll start by saying, as Jewish people, as Jewish women, as a Jewish woman, I have experienced anti-Semitism, hatred in different forms, And it is difficult. It's difficult to navigate And even when you put yourself in difficult conversations with like-minded or not like-minded people to hear other stories, other lived experiences, other backgrounds and also other relatable lived experiences. It's difficult to have the answer of how to create a just and equitable society without immersing yourself in the work, And sometimes there could be several days in a row where you're like I got this, I feel good about the people, I'm connecting with the communities, I'm connecting with the new things I'm learning, the uncomfortable things I'm learning, and then something will happen, whether it's to you or to someone that you care about or to a stranger, and you, just you experience that you're watching this hate, absolute hatred and bigotry go on and to recognize that it doesn't happen. It doesn't have to happen to you in order to help and work towards a just society.
Speaker 2:I think that is definitely this. I think of a literal bridge. I mean, I'll close my eyes sometimes in the middle of the day and just think about what, what bridge building looks like and really really living by it doesn't have to happen to you in order to create this more compassionate and equitable society. I mean, it's multi layered, for sure, And there are a lot. There are a lot of factors that that go into that. But to really listen and be involved and recognize when you should do something and when you should listen, And that's that will be an ongoing practice for me personally as a white Jewish American and also as a small business owner and as a growing person.
Speaker 1:So I think you're. you're doing it and, honestly, you stated it, it starts with a conversation, and so kudos to you for, no matter what, being open to having the conversation and being vocal about what you see happening. You said it perfectly just because it doesn't happen to us, or maybe exactly to your particular race, doesn't mean that you can't be vocal about it, and so I love that you're doing that. that's, honestly, one of the best things I love about your business, which is why I love you today, because I felt that conversation needed to be amplified and for more people to see how that looks as a baker carrying out her mission. And so, sarah, you're now currently the owner of Coloback girls, but, like we said it earlier, you didn't start that way, so you actually started out with three other siblings, yeah, so now it's you. And so how did that transpire, going from operated as a group to now solo?
Speaker 2:My siblings, my original roommates. I love them. We have a lot of love for each other. It did not come without serious conversations and communication and fun and loving conversation and also uncomfortable conversation, because not only where we now totally immersed in this, but also coming back through challah challah back experience, we were also growing as young adults in a pandemic which had its own factors on a an individual level.
Speaker 2:So as Coloback girls grew and grew and we were all taking on new responsibilities whether that was in school or university or both We had to navigate that and also decide what we, where we can give our energy and love and care And what was next and how to make Coloback girls sustainable.
Speaker 2:And I that was that was my calling. I just felt like I was kind of at a crossroads of of my working career and wanting to decide what felt best for me and where I could best provide my resources and services and and compassion and grit. My younger siblings were all navigating, like I said, some school and other work responsibilities, and now I took it on full time about a year and a half ago And my siblings now act as strategic advisors and supporters on content, on objectives and even when we go out to do events, meet me, sometimes most of the time, and it's super fun to just teach challah baking or community building activities, or sometimes both in one, in one sitting, to different groups of people of all ages, of all backgrounds, of all capabilities, and it's it's awesome to connect in that way now as as a group, as a sibling group.
Speaker 1:I love it and it's wonderful to still see everything that you believe in still continue to come to fruition, and you mentioned them collaborated on some of the things that you do within the community. Coloback girls is actually really big one. you're not just baking and saying, okay, well, i'm baking and I'm going to send off and donate a little portion, and I never really see you. You know you're actually donating, but you're also stepping in and just to name a few things that you guys have done, you had a recent collaboration with the Asian American Federation, asian American Foundation, excuse me. You also had a collaboration with the National Council of Jewish Women in Pittsburgh And then even this month, one of your baked goods rainbow inspired item which you are doing for the LGBTQIA community.
Speaker 1:And so how big of a role does community collaborations because I'm, i love collaborations on big one is not always so people like if, if you want to go far, go with others. collaborations are key, and so how much of a role does that play in you building Coloback girls and how effective has that been and you getting your message out? Oh my gosh.
Speaker 2:It's everything. It's everything, even when it's subconscious or unintentional. Collaboration is key. It really is. I mean you can learn even the smallest thing and the most life-changing thing. For example, one of those organizations was one of our big live events, where it was still very much COVID and we got on Facebook Live and we made challah and they made dumplings. We shared this cultural experience. That was beautiful and eye-opening and both of our audiences could see different sides of community. That was really beautiful.
Speaker 2:I also think that coming together with an organization, partnering for a greater purpose and creating this environment where that highlights inclusivity and belonging and acceptance, while giving them the platform to speak their truth and their lived experiences, it's awesome and it's life-changing and people connect in different ways. When you really listen to the community that you serve and in my case, that challah-back-girl serves people come up with new and creative ways to connect. They'll take oh, i love that challah flavor and I actually would love to do a dough event with my school. I'm like, okay, what does that look like? What does that mean to you? Is there an organization also in mind that you connect with that we could amplify their voice, maybe do a fundraiser, for There are a million ways to collaborate and fun in a unique way. It's cool, and so it's everything. It's everything.
Speaker 1:All of these collaborations sound delicious. And speaking of delicious, since you explained to us what challah is, are you baking it the traditional way? I know you mentioned that you got recipes from your mom. Are there any new school twists? So what are some of the items on your menu that you're actually baking.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh, you're going to do this to me. I'm so hungry already. Yes, a lot of flavors, shapes, sizes. We do Plain, we have an onion, we have a coffee crumb, we have new cookies and cream which is my personal favorite because I love a cake Oreo situation. We have a lemon poppy and since we bake out of a nut-free facility, which means no sesame as well, we have our own twist on and everything but the bagel seasoning. So it involves flax seeds and poppy and deliciousness. We're a little toast in the morning and then an avocado. I told you I was hungry. Just get on board with me, please.
Speaker 2:And now we have this rainbow challah, which is beautiful and people are sending to people in the community, other folks in the community that it will just speak to their heart. And it's graduation season and so people are utilizing. Here's a bag of challah rolls and that's really yummy and fun. You can make little sandwiches And there's something for the sweet tooth, something for the savory tooth and it's yum. If anyone has any flavor suggestions, challah backrolls. Dms are open.
Speaker 1:So you're mixing some traditional Jewish flavors with more like some of the new school flavors also.
Speaker 2:Yes, exactly, and some Jewish holidays. challah symbolizes different things for different Jewish holidays, and so we're quickly approaching the new year, this fall, and we make round challah. that symbolizes it's in the shape of a circle and so it symbolizes that we've come full circle in the year. It symbolizes the circle of life and also it's customary to have raisins to add a little sweetness to the challah. So that will be our seasonal raisin challah and it comes in big round. deliciousness, still braided, and you can kind of play with the braid and do it in creative ways. We love seeing everybody's posts and it's cool. It's a cool time.
Speaker 1:So what does a day look like in you operating this? Because you stated you started off as home-based and now you have a kosher facility that you use. So what does your day look like as the CEO of Calabat Girls?
Speaker 2:What time is it? So that's a great question. I would say each day is a tiny bit different. It depends on the week's orders. So some weeks are more heavily focused on the West Coast, depending on the orders that come in. We're based in New Jersey, so if we have more Midwest and West Coast orders that week, we'll bake earlier in the week and if not, we'll bake closer to the end of the week so that everything arrives on or before Friday. We don't want any Hala sitting in the mail over the weekend And so, yeah, so we bake earlier in the week.
Speaker 2:There's, as a solopreneur, so to speak, now there's a lot of admin and operations that go into this, and also trying to tap myself on the back every few hours to say OK, check the time, is that?
Speaker 2:do you need a break? Will you be able to give back on a larger level, on a Calabat level, but also as a Sarah level, on a Sarah level, and so just to check in with yourself and make sure your day to day you're not getting lost in your day to day. What's been really important, i would say, since the beginning, since all four of us were doing this together and beginning this journey of baking and shipping Hala to where it needs to go, and also doing virtual events to now doing in-person events, to really Be mindful of how you're spending your time. It's not easy at all, but to really be mindful of that and to surround yourself with collaborators and community That you need to do your best in, and so every day looks a little bit different depending on what we need to get done, what I need to get done specifically, and also It's. It's a really beautiful thing and it keeps me on my toes and it smells good a lot.
Speaker 1:And only imagine the, the facility that you use. Do other people bake their orders or do you do all the baking?
Speaker 2:Yes, the baking team there is super, super helpful and supportive with scaling up our recipe and baking. It happen as we like to say and And I do all the packaging and shipping myself oversee that directly. I make sure it gets to where it needs to go. Communicate with the customers, making sure they also receive the package with. You know what they need to know in terms of freezing, reheating, you know. Snap a picture, send us a little holo selfie for discount, because we love discount. And And yeah, there's a lot of components to it. I think I love most the when it comes full circle, when that challah arrives in Nevada and I get a photo from the customer and the 97 year old dad with their rainbow callas and just like this made my day. But, and that's just one of really many beautiful Messages that I've been really fortunate to receive.
Speaker 1:You're located in New Jersey but you ship nationwide. So our majority of your orders because, like we said, it could be Nevada or somewhere our majority of your orders customers who are Taking advantage of the nationwide shipping. Or do you also do a lot of local orders?
Speaker 2:That's a great question. We do a lot of local orders pick up and delivery, and but most of our our orders are nationwide and that's really fun to box up a Foul package in a place that I've never been to myself, but my fellas, you know, making its way across, across the country and that's fun.
Speaker 1:I can imagine that's heart-warming seeing something you love so much. Like you stated, it's making its way all across the country, and so in getting your Colla out there, as well as getting your mission out there, you're actually going to be doing more community events. You stated you wanted to travel, so what are some of the things on the horizon that you look forward to doing a little bit more of?
Speaker 2:Awesome question. I love this question because, as the pandemic has opened up More and more and we familiarize ourselves with this new normal, this new routine, this new way of connecting with people. Like I said, sometimes my call ends up in places I've never been, so Let's get me there with my collar, i will gladly deliver it to your door. But we have Call back girls, partners with different community centers and nonprofits to to bring up a call back program to life, and so I have visited places like Pittsburgh with my sister Hannah.
Speaker 2:We brought together the boys and girls clubs of Western Pennsylvania and a Jewish day school and Created this community bake where we learned the value of tikkun alam, which is a Hebrew phrase for repairing the world, and we talked about that and we engaged in a community building exercise And then we had delicious dough where everyone got to take home Kala and we learned to braid it. That was really fun. And other community events like that, where we can kind of be this connector and and network weaver, where we bring together different communities to engage in building bridges and Learning about different cultures and backgrounds. I think that's really important, and then we get to do it through kala.
Speaker 1:So yeah, Definitely important to continue working on your mission and so looking ahead. Besides the community events, what are your future plans, as well as your goals? How do you expect to increase your impact?
Speaker 2:I Have a dream to have this Kala back campus, and In this campus is where all the baking and packaging happen. We also get to bring some schools and communities to us and they can kind of have this interactive tour of what that looks like, what, why we have kala, what is kala and that the sim, then a symbol of it, how kala back girls sees it as this vehicle of change, and Then they get to take home kala, obviously. And then also in this campus, there's a podcast moment. We love that, where we also get to speak with community leaders and baking Influencers like yourself, who are so passionate about using your passion for a greater purpose, and Also in this podcast booth includes all the communities, all the organizations that we Support, and it's just another way to amplify their voice, quite literally through voice, and where they can also speak to their mission in a real in-depth Way and share that with our listeners.
Speaker 2:I think that that It would be awesome and I love, i love this new movement, or renewed movement, i should say. And And finally, in this campus would be a little cafe where people can break bread together, and it doesn't need to be, you know, your regular cafe where you can go. You know everyone loves their local bakery and so I support. I support local. I think that's beautiful. You should get to know the people behind the small businesses too. I think that's really important and Also, this can be a place where you might not meet these people. If it had, if it wasn't for a hollow back Campus of some kind, it's really bridging the gap and creating community in diverse and fun ways over Hala, and that's That's the start of my dream.
Speaker 1:You're definitely going to get there and I will definitely Will continue to follow, because I love seeing all the things that you're doing in your local community, but also with all of these other Organizations. I really think it's amazing, and thank you for being open to share your brand and your mission, as well as All the things that you've endured as you built this Business. It's just so wonderful hearing everything that you plan to do, but also the things that you've already done in order to just raise awareness For so many different organizations, and so thank you so much, sarah. I love having you here today, but before I let you go, are you ready for lightning round? I Guess. So let's do it. Let's do it. Sarah, darling, what is your favorite color? purple, all right. Who is your celebrity crush?
Speaker 2:I Have been torn for a while. It is between Channing Tatum and Michael B Jordan.
Speaker 1:Oh girl, that combination Man, that that, oh man I know. And then you, we sound bad if we say both. What is your favorite book?
Speaker 2:My favorite book. To be honest, i'm reading a lot of Children's books right now because of our community events and the population that we're serving and it's kind of speaking to my soul. So if I'm digging, if I'm digging there right now, it's a new book By my friend, nadia Fisher. It is daddy dressed me And I would encourage everybody to pick it out. Just skin.
Speaker 1:Alrighty. And what is a dessert you cannot live without.
Speaker 2:The cookies and cream anything.
Speaker 1:Cookies and cream. That's definitely a winner. And what is your favorite kitchen utensil?
Speaker 2:Mmm, my favorite kitchen utensil is my Zoodle maker. I.
Speaker 1:Love, so that's a good one. That's a good one, sarah. It has been amazing talking today. Thank you so much for sharing your mission and everything that Colabat girls is about. I really appreciate it having you and I look forward to watching you grow more and more.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much. This was so fun. Thank you for inspiring me and inviting me to your space, and I look forward to growing together as well.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. I really hope you guys enjoy today's episode. Sarah is doing an amazing job with using her businesses mission in order to further conversation, to fuel change and to just show up and break down The barriers that may be between different races, ideologies and things that keep us separate. You know, there are so many amazing benefits to having a mission for your business, because it really just defines the purpose as well as the reason For your businesses existence. It sets an overall direction as well as gives focus not just to you but also to your ideal clients, of What you stand for and what you're all about.
Speaker 1:Too often we don't think that our baking business can do that, that our small business can do that, but we always have to remember we are small business owners that have big dreams, big goals and anything is Possible and a well-defined mission, one like Sarah's. It really just serves as a guidepost for strategic decisions, for standing out as a brand, but also For opening up the gates to what it looks like if we all stepped into something that we believe in. You know, my mom used to say and I'm pretty sure some of you guys have heard this before If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything, and it's so true. And so kudos to Sarah, as well as her other siblings who founded the company, for deciding to take a stance and to just stand up For something. So many different amazing organizations, from LGBTQIA to Asian to Black Lives Matter movement There's just so many different organizations and community causes that they've just decided to stand up for, and so kudos to them for doing that. They chose to take a stand, and I'm pretty sure that that was not easy, and so special thanks to Sarah for coming on the podcast today and sharing that.
Speaker 1:I really hope that her story ignited something in you to decide what is it that I want to stand for in my baking business? How can I use my voice, my story, in order to spark change, in order to show up more and be more transparent in my business, and in order to make sure that your mission, that you have set for your business, doesn't go in vain, it doesn't go unheard, and that you give it the visibility that it needs in order for your mission to come to fruition. I hope you guys really enjoyed this episode. If you want to check out Sarah's Kala, be sure you look in the show notes, as I'll have her website and information there. Grab me some yummy Kala and just enjoy it. Tag her. She loves all people Tag their business on social media and just give her a shout out and show her some love. All right, i hope you guys enjoyed this episode. I will see you guys next week. Take care and bye for now.