Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Bargers.
Hi Morgan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have wanted to be my own boss for as long as I can remember! After a couple of semesters studying criminal justice, I decided to transfer to The Art Institute to study culinary arts. I started out studying savory and quickly made the switch to pastry. I love combining the math and science of baking with the artistry of pastry design! After graduating culinary school, I made Nashville my home for a little while longer and gained as much experience as I could, working in all areas of the hospitality and restaurant industry. I was able to hone my cooking skills and pick up bits of business acumen in a large hotel banquet kitchen, a tiny vegan bakery, a catering company, a Cafe and coffee shop, and a major grocery store! I moved back to my hometown when a God-sent opportunity for a storefront was presented. I opened my brick-and-mortar bakery in 2016, and what had seemed like a very distant dream came to life quickly! We outgrew our first home just off the small-town square and relocated to a larger building a few miles down the road, adding breakfast and lunch sandwiches to the cases full of fresh, and from scratch, pastries. I made the very difficult decision to close the doors at the end of 2018. Business was booming, and, to be honest, I had reached the point of burnout. Luckily, I have always had the most incredible support from my hometown, and my loyal band of locals continued to reach out for special orders. After a much-needed rest, I found my joy in baking again! Today, I am back to baking full time as a cottage baker, taking custom orders, and filling a mini “storefront” space at North Main Marketplace in Shelbyville. People often ask if I would open a store again. Honestly? I don’t know! I’m in a good groove right now, and the Marketplace has been a wonderful experience. I’ve learned (and still learning) to hold things with an open hand because life has plenty of twists and turns. Nothing lasts forever, but there’s always an and!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I mentioned burnout previously. I think many, if not all, small business owners struggle with this. As the owner and operator, you wear many, many different hats and it can feel quite lonely at times. It was also a struggle to find help while the brick-and-mortar was open. It takes a good little crew to run a storefront, and, while I had some loyal, hard-working employees, most of the heavy-lifting was on me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I create memories with edible art! I love to make anything with sugar in it- cakes, cookies, pies, sweetbreads, and anything in between. I am probably best known for my butter cookies (a Shelbyville staple) and my homemade oatmeal cream pies. You’ll never want a Little Debbie again! I am most proud of my customers. Can I say that?! They have supported me through all stages of my business, and I get to call a ton of them friends now all because of a birthday cake or a pie they grabbed on the way home. I believe what sets me apart is that I make sure everything tastes as good as it looks and looks as good as it tastes. I do a lot of custom work (birthday cakes, wedding cakes, decorated sugar cookies), and clients are often surprised that the taste matches the level of decor. Over the years, I’ve heard clients say many times that they don’t expect something so pretty to also taste good. Well, I don’t believe in “too pretty to eat”, so, by George, it’s going to be delicious!
How do you define success?
For me, success is being content. I’ve been searching for this elusive “work-life balance” for a while now, and, while I’m not convinced that it’s real, I believe it is possible to feel balanced. In business, it feels like the “finish line” is always moving, and we often move it on ourselves! Goals are super important, but if I can wake up refreshed and excited about getting in the kitchen, I call that success!
Contact Info:
- Email: mouthofthesouthbakery@gmail.com
- Website: www.mouthofthesouthbakery.org
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/mouthofthesouthbakery/
Image Credits
Kali Wood
Abigail Bridges
