Up and Coming - House of Bread - Up Grade, Salt Lake County

The Smell of Success

Lynne Aoyama opened the doors to House of Bread, fulfilling dreams of starting her own business. The House of Bread provides customers with fresh baked treats.

Lynne realized that it was time to abandon her marketing career and face the challenges of business ownership when her children started getting older. She did extensive research and found a franchise. House of Bread bakery used family recipes of high-plains Montana wheat that were based on healthy diets without sacrificing taste. Most of the baked goods were fat-free and non-dairy. All were chemical-free. Pure honey was used as a substitute for refined sugar, acting as a natural preservative.

Lynne found the franchise that she wanted to pursue, but she wasn't really sure how to go about it. She heard about the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and Business Information Center (BIC) and she made an appointment. With the help of a SCORE counselor and the BIC, she was able to get her business plan in order and apply for an SBA guaranteed loan. Lynne has also found that as a client of the Women's Business Center (WBC), she has been able to promote her business through networking events.

House of Bread operates on the old school principles that a business is part of the community in which it lies. An investment into the community will be returned into the business over time. House of bread is proud to support the community on many levels. Lynne, an avid supporter of education, has forged business partnerships with many schools. Every day at about 1:00 pm, you will find many small children inside of the bakery with their spelling paper in hand and a big smile on their face. Children in the elementary schools receive free cinnamon rolls for 100% spelling tests. Older children receive certificates for a fresh-baked treat that are used as teacher incentives. Additional aspects of community involvement include sponsorship of the Juvenile Diabetes Walk for America and the Utah Heart Association Walk for life.

House of Bread has unique gift baskets and also offers "Bread Box Lunches." In-house seating is offered to customers wishing to bask in the aroma of fresh baked goods or sit in the shade under the umbrella tables and enjoy a low-fat cinnamon roll on the patio.

(Reprinted with permission from the 2005 SBA Small Business Guide.)