110) In Conversation with the CoFounder of 'The Baker's Dozen' - Sneh Jain (Part-2)
In Part 2 of our conversation with Sneh Jain, co-founder of The Baker’s Dozen, we dive into the operational challenges and strategic pivots that shaped the growth of one of India’s leading artisanal bakery brands.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- People Over Process: Sneh shares the inspiring story of Bharat, who began as a cleaner and rose through the ranks to become a consultant chef. His journey underscores *The Baker’s Dozen’s* commitment to building internal talent and empowering local communities.
- From Bootstrapped to Scaling Pan-India: Sneh details the tough decisions made to scale operations, from moving manufacturing to Ahmedabad for cost efficiency to introducing Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) to ensure product consistency and shelf life.
- Evolving Distribution Strategy: The brand moved away from owning physical outlets to leveraging quick commerce and premium modern trade channels, focusing on a city-by-city approach. Sneh explains how this pivot helped the brand reach deeper into targeted markets without compromising on quality.
- Maintaining Artisanal Quality at Scale: Sneh discusses the challenges of staying true to the product’s artisanal roots while scaling. He emphasizes the brand’s decision to remain zero maida and chemical-free, even at the cost of higher operational expenses.
- Balancing Entrepreneurship with Personal Life: Sneh offers a candid look into balancing work and personal life with his co-founder and wife, Aditi. He shares practical insights on maintaining clear functional ownership to reduce friction and scale effectively as a couple.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Innovate with Intent: Sneh believes that innovation should be purposeful, not for the sake of change. Whether it's choosing MAP or localizing production, each decision was made to uphold product integrity.
- Define Your Distribution Strategy: He advises startups to think micro-market first. Rather than being in 10,000 pin codes, focus on building depth and loyalty within a few cities.
- Stay True to the Product: Whether it’s pricing, scaling, or discounting, Sneh’s primary advice is to always prioritize product quality and consistency over everything else.
QUOTES:
"Don't try to teach consumers a new habit—focus on making products that fit into their lives."
"Your distribution strategy should be about where you can win, not just where you can sell."
"Being a founder couple is like raising a child—you need to balance roles and expectations."
As always, we’d love to hear your feedback. Please email us at mail@cobbcast.net with your thoughts or any questions for our hosts.
RESOURCES
CONNECT WITH OUR HOSTS
Sharavana Raghavan on Linkedin
FOLLOW US
CREDITS
- Album Art & Design by ting.in
- Voiceovers by Anjale Stephanos
- Music from Zapsplat.com
***************************************
Please tell us what topics you'd like to have discussed on the CoBB, by filling in this CONTENT SUGGESTION FORM
It only takes a few minutes, and it will help us provide you with the content most relevant to you.
