Success Story – The Bakery Shoppe
The Bakery Shoppe – Fargo 2023
OAKES – Brittney Harty always dreamed of owning and running her own restaurant. After attending culinary school, she realized that her passion lay in the culinary arts and decided to pursue a career in baking and cooking.
Brittney started her business journey by forming her LLC in January of 2023 and officially opened The Bakery Shoppe on March 13th. Located in Oakes, ND, The Bakery Shop specializes in providing the community with freshly baked breads and sweets.
As a business owner, Brittney enjoys the freedom and creativity that comes with being her own boss. However, she found the business side of things, such as managing finances and bookkeeping, to be challenging.
Brittney discovered the North Dakota Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) through Rebecca Undem, the Growing Small Towns Director. Recognizing the need for guidance in structuring her business and securing a small business loan, Brittney took advantage of Rebecca’s recommendation.
During her advising sessions with Paul Smith, the SBDC business advisor, Brittney received valuable information and direction on how to structure her business and secure financing. As a result, she successfully obtained a loan at an affordable rate, enabling her to purchase the
building for her bakery. The loan package, through Starion Bank, included the Bank of North Dakota Flex-Pace Program.
The Bakery Shoppe has experienced growth since its establishment, with plans to expand the menu and hire employees to offer a wider range of products. Brittney attributes her success to the support and encouragement she receives from her community.
Impressed by the assistance provided by the ND SBDC, Brittney highly recommends their services to other small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. She emphasizes the importance of asking questions and seeking guidance, as understanding the “whys” behind each step makes the process easier.
Brittney’s experience with the ND SBDC and the guidance provided by Paul Smith was instrumental in her journey as a first-time business owner. With the support of her community and the resources provided by the ND SBDC, The Bakery Shoppe is flourishing, providing a range of baked goods to the residents of Oakes, ND.
Comments
I had the privilege of working with Brittney as a student at NDSCS as she took restaurant management along with culinary arts. Brittney took classes such as Business in the Legal Environment, Human Resource Management, Applied Accounting using QuickBooks and Career Seminar. Brittney was great as a student–an extremely hard worker who was very dependable and reliable. She will do fantastic as a business owner! I wish her nothing but the best in her business venture in Oakes!