Photo courtesy of Bread Man Baking Company Facebook page.

Tasos Katsaounis is known as Houston's bread man. The founder and CEO of Bread Man Baking Company grew his passion into a business that's seen explosive growth. So much so, in fact, that it's opening a massive new bakery this summer. At nearly 41-thousand square feet, the new facility is nearly 10 times the size of the company's current space. It's another boon for a business whose artisan bread can be found in nearly 50 Whole Food Market stores across 4 states, as well as restaurants and hotels.

On this episode of the Small Biz Insider podcast, we talk Katsaounis and his journey from hobby to small business growth and what advice he has for others who want to do the same. Highlights from this episode below.

On how customers don't just buy products - they buy relationships

“At the end of the day, they’re not just buying the product from us," said Katsaounis. "They’re buying the relationship. And that’s something our customers tell me more frequently than not, is ‘yeah we like your bread. Your bread’s great. It helps elevate our menu. People like it as well. Our customers are very responsive to it. But we’re also buying the relationship. We’re not just buying the bread.’ And that tells me we’re doing the right thing.”

Top 6 tips for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to transform their passion into a business

1. Timing is key. Katsaounis said timing was a key factor into when he started the business and noted that it's helped get him to where he and his team are today, as well as where they're headed. 
2. Ask yourself if you can afford to make the leap from hobby to viable business. Katsaounis said both he and his wife had good careers with income that could support their family if either one of them decided to pursue their own venture. He said if the business didn't succeed, they were in a financial place where it wouldn't greatly impact their household.
3. Do your homework. Don’t just jump in and just hope to sink or swim, said Katsaounis. If you have a passion for something and you do your homework, which includes research, a business plan and funding. 
4. Take a look at your hobby or passion through a business lens. “If you have an opportunity, something you feel you can capitalize and monetize and turn into a small business, then really understand what that looks like from a business acumen standpoint and not just the creative side.”
5. Make sure you have the right funding in place. If you want to take a significant leap, do everything you can and due diligence to make sure you have the right amount of money to go into your venture. “I’d say 90% of people that start a small business go into it undercapitalized and not realizing it" said Katsaounis. "And that can lead to your demise, unfortunately.”
6. If you’re not ready to go fulltime, start smaller. There are a lot of farmers markets in Houston that welcome artisan products, food or otherwise. Katsaounis suggested that’s a good place to slowly build a customer base, slowly learn about your business, and slowly learn and understand what your customer wants. Aspiring business owners can make pivots and changes to their product and model, which could lead to a food truck, a storefront or commercial opportunity. 

Small Biz Insider is presented by: 

Learn more about the Partnership’s Small Biz Matters business resource group and get information about how your organization can become a member today. 
 

The Small Biz Insider podcast is part of our digital series highlighting entrepreneurs in the greater Houston region who are making a big impact in the small business community. Follow Small Biz Insider through these popular podcast players so you never miss a new episode: 

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