Maintaining Financial Stability and Security as a Independent Bakery | Proof Bread

Our job is a lot more than mixing dough and baking bread...
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» Proof Bread is a modern throwback to a way of life that values small-scale craftsmanship, local community, and creativity. We are a small group of passionate bakers working in our garage (thanks to cottage laws) which has been converted into a micro-bakery. Everything we bake is made by hand, from the best local ingredients, with no short cuts.
#bakery #smallbusiness #supportlocal

[@michaelwithy723]

I'm not sure I've come across someone more thoughtful, honest, intelligent, and caring within the KZbin universe. Truly inspiring to see and hear his/your devotion to your craft, business, employees, family, and community. Well done sir. Well done.

[@TheSammymax]

Shut up..

[@thepouletbrothers4711]

Isn't he a little diamond! Such a great ambassador for baking, business and such an inspiring couple Amanda must have great qualities too as I imagine him talking drives her insane at times as he goes round the houses as we say in UK 🇬🇧 Meaning he talks alot and in depth x

[@architektura204]

Running a small business requires to know and be able to do everything. One must be able not to sleep enough, not to celebrate when the whole world celebrates, not to take vacations, and to have teeth strong enough to grind at night from stressing how to keep it floating. A small business owner who survives over 2 years in business (before the family and friends stop to chip in $$$), is only a statistical 5% from all small businesses that has been started and failed. One who has not done it can't possibly know what kind of commitment it takes to keep a small operation, but most likely he/she will be criticized, and not appreciated for the gift to all around that comes from this kind of work. You and Amanda one of those special people who not only can do it, but keep doing it better and better. I bow.

[@iseefor]

the dude in the background at 6:14 hoping the bread is ok after that thing fell hahaha

[@yalechiu2545]

well done！

[@GreenGardenGamer]

The more I hear you speak, the more I want to move close by and legit BEG for an apprenticeship - I really can't get enough! Great content and wonderful people

[@TheSammymax]

Don’t apprentice with a cosplay bum. Find someone with talent.

[@icefl4re597]

@Enoch Cain Go back to cringe compilations. This place isn't for the edge, it's for sincerity and life. You got your sphere, we got ours.

[@douwehuysmans5959]

This is universal for a lot of crafts, you can do furniture repair for example or computer repair etc.

[@Wilbafarce]

And then the dough will make you cry! 😁 😂😭

[@GT-eq4px]

I’ve never had a KZbin channel that I watch every single of their video yet pausing what I was doing in life as I don’t want to miss a word you say. Million dollar lesson!

[@nancyjenkins8617]

The world needs more people like these lovely wise young people. Keep our heritage of old.

[@AcronoCL]

Thank you from Chile! Tomorrow will be a year with my sourdough bakery and your videos are a great help for me!

[@eileenallemm1835]

I can totally get what you were saying, my dad had a woodshop business with the same challenges, we all worked as a family together. Long hours, employees, overhead money flow. I can tell you it was unbelievably hard. Both my parents are gone now but what memories we have. It is the American dream, I believe that we have to support the local businesses, really it's the foundation of our country- world. Thank you for your contribution.

[@nickthedoodle]

I wish I had a boss who lifted the entire team up like this guy, y'all are blessed AF.

[@bestdkskillzyo]

Ive sent you this message on a few of your platforms, but its so so so important. PLEASE take care of your back. It wont last. It never does. Please get a weight stability belt on amazon. Consider a foam roller (life changer, best massage device out there). Take care and be healthy. We need more like you.

[@TheSammymax]

Shut up..

[@bestdkskillzyo]

@@TheSammymax wow. bundle of joy we got here.

[@TheSammymax]

J b 😌🙏

[@TAJMLobesno]

As a chef I am highly appreciate Your work documenting and explaining every factor of baking., and running a bakery. You guys gave me the drive to jump into and start to make sourdough products, thank You for all the time and effort!!!!

[@Bee-ol1xr]

glad you're making longer videos, I simply love the content!

[@ajademarcus4678]

I never clicked so fast 🙌🙌🙌 *edit What a magnificent stream of consciousness veiled as business advice. Every one of your videos is a life masterclass 👏👏👏👏

[@bretgross3379]

Being 300 miles away prevents me from tasting your baked products, but I devour your web content. Like bread, it’s nutritious, delicious and satisfying. THANKS!

[@TheSammymax]

Shut up..

[@sugarcast11]

I tell my students all the time.....Be prepared to Work On your Business rather than "Work IN your business". Thank you for sharing. Was wondering if you would post a Video on a Full Tour of the facility? I have numerous students looking for Cottage Ideas. Thanks Agin for Sharing

[@cachi-7878]

Fascinating! What blows my mind is the fact that you can take the time to do these videos knowing the mountain of work you have in front of you. Perhaps because we harp on you to make these videos. I like how Amanda turns around and looks at Jon like saying “Stop yapping and get to work Jon!”

[@ProofBread]

That is less about me, and more about the person behind the camera. He’s allowing us to more or less just go about our daily work, and bringing some of that to you. All the content thus far comes from 3 recordings. It helps that there is a trove of things to share.

[@Sharon-Me]

When you learn things the hard way it makes you appreciate your accomplishments even more!!!

[@StarCitizenJorunn]

I originally came for the bread and am loving learning more about the story! My favorite channel! I wish I lived close enough to get their bread

[@billmccaffrey1977]

Love your openness and honestly! Building a business requires that you are capable of managing risk against value. If you are afraid of taking risk then you will never grow a business. Not ever risk yields the planned reward, but if you know what you're doing then most will.

[@jacov09]

This is just priceless, this is 1000% the kind of advice you won't get for free anywhere.

[@AppleHater2012]

Another powerful WOW moment episode for me 😀. I am at the infancy of a cottage coffee roasting business and the more I watch your videos gives me the motivation to continue. The “cottage” movement is here! Support your local small business today!

[@animaysh]

I really like the foundation of why you do what you do. Value to the community. In times where everything is done via computer, this is truly a societal art that I hope lasts.

[@sineadvandenberg3494]

As a micro business owner with a full time job and studying part time, I cannot thank you enough for your crumbs of wisdom

[@NaturallyLeavened]

Have a look into Wave Accounting. Basic functions are free of charge.

[@zackmorey]

I appreciate the honesty, the not filtered reality of what goes on. It’s inspiring to see your vision and the work you’re willing to put in for it.

[@dylanherrera4410]

I could listen to him talk for hours about anything. Truly awesome lessons that apply far beyond baking. Love the long videos!

[@albertkaindlbauer7634]

I have nothing but admiration for this man’s principles and values. A masterclass on building a sustainable long term business. The road is rocky, it takes commitment, hard work and passion to build up an artisan business. It’s truly inspiring and I totally agree with your strategy of investing in your own premises rather than renting from a landlord. Admittedly that won’t be possible for every business venture but it sure is a much smarter & safer way to grow. I wish I could buy your amazing croissants and breads but unfortunately Australia is a bit too far away. Wishing you and your family great success and a happy life. Keep up the excellent work and keep those videos coming.

[@KFP4488]

This is like Introduction to Business module in my undergraduate. Combining expertise and entrepreneurship is not easy, and they explain the ups and downs really well.

[@TheSammymax]

Shut up..

[@thepouletbrothers4711]

John and Amanda you are such an example to modern society you really are such a talented speaker John and I binged your channel in 3 days after I lost my cafe and am so remotivated to start farmers markets and keep going, Thankyou for your openness and peek behind the wizards curtain your passion, ethics, conduct and adversity with your family was the kick up the ass I needed I'll be sending a donation to gofundme best of luck keep doing the right thing wish you every success and please do more on the website and forecasting keeping the records etc I love it 🇬🇧💖😊✌️

[@nickjones6292]

Truly inspiring content. Thank you and keep it coming!

[@robertdewalt8711]

Thank you for being honest. Also thank you for sharing about the business.

[@if66was99]

Fascinating insights into starting and running a small business! I had no idea. Thank you for sharing all that!

[@lizoro4413]

Once again you inspire me to try and not be afraid. Thank you! Great power couple that works together.

[@gregs7809]

Wisdom beyond bread. Thank you for sharing

[@jamesfarganne528]

There is no wisdom beyond bread.

[@rcurielh]

Congrats to you and your team. They passion you have for bread and baking and life its great !!!

[@nialoldbridge]

This video is golden. Thank you

[@joellim1710]

Thank you for sharing this video, I’m starting a leathercraft e-commerce store and I’ve been so inspired by your sharing and I’ve gained so much insight from the processes you’ve shown, so thank you and keep up the great work!

[@kevsousa95]

as an aspiring chef and someone learning about sourdough and to bake my own bread i really love the youtube channel! Keep up the amazing work, will defiantly find my way to Arizona one day and will definitely come find your bakery

[@jasonkitts8061]

your videos are inspiring. i wish you both all the best. love from the UK x

I can't thank you enough for your videos. There is a huge knowledge sharing, which I believe no course can ever deliver. Greetings from Brazil.

[@ashkaul]

thank for sharing the hardships and the details

[@charliewatson8034]

Can’t tell you how much I enjoy your videos. This one was really awesome. Thank you for your openness and willingness to share your story. It’s not only entertaining but inspirational as well. I look forward to viewing each video you do. These videos have extended the reach of your brand. Would love to try your products and maybe will take a drive over that way from San Diego some day. In the meantime, do you ship? Would love to buy and try a sampling of your products!

[@joshspinak4637]

Hey J & A, thanks a bunch for listening to my vid suggestion, what keeps ya'll motivated is the same for me, because I was influenced that way. Peace, love, happiness and success for Proof

[@edafade]

I could listen to Jon for hours, man. Wait, I already have. Keep them coming.

[@TheSammymax]

Shut up..

[@edafade]

@@TheSammymax Mate, who pissed in your cereal?

[@PatrickNelissen]

This is amazing! Never seen such an honest and friendly business owner explaining how they are building a great community to let others taste and enjoy artisan bread and pastries. Thank you so much for sharing this and I wish you and your team all the best!

[@lauradaley1246]

I am at the beginning of opening my own bakery - I start renovating in a couple weeks and I love watching your videos and hearing your stories. So much of what you do/talk about resonates with me and why I love what I do. I look forward to the day I can travel across the border and come visit your space!💕

[@helderlage]

incredible job... CONGRATULATIONS on your so down to earth approach! very clever!... go ahead and i wish the BEST for your future as bakers :)

[@starseedcjz]

Always your fan Jon! 🤩💯👏🏽

[@sunnybatters5044]

Super helpful content, thank you for sharing

[@katyyung6247]

I appreciate this so much. Thank you for sharing and inspiring!

[@miagy420]

God bless you my friend, you have a heart of gold, i really hope you achieve your dream.

[@samrichardson6609]

amazing story, keep up the hard work!

[@DeepSpaceDolphin]

This is one of the best videos on KZbin! Every entrepreneur and small business owner should watch and take notes. So much practical, real-life experience about the reality of running and growing a business. Thanks for your honesty! I shared this with a friend who has a small food retail business, so just know your investment in this video is helping a lot of real people out here. Thank you!

[@kristopherlong7438]

So inspiring. Love your videos and passion. Thank you.

[@naturligfunktion4232]

I like all these videos. They are inspiring! Cheers from sweden!

[@billmccaffrey1977]

I had to smile when you talked about a baker doing building, electrical and plumbing. I'm retired now, but as a young electrical engineering student my first job required that I literally built the walls for my office area, hung the doors and wired the room - then I assembled a desk. I actually enjoyed it all. Starting a business requires that you get things done when they need to be done and there is no hat that doesn't fit. I have great faith in your success!

[@smoke500]

Dude, I love your videos, I a very small baker myself and hopefully will bake for a living in the next year. Thanks for the encourage

[@pizzamessenger1011]

Your videos are the right kick and motivation to make everything look better. thanks for sharing your amazing experience with us. Intermitted fasting is starting to show too, ;)...clarity of mind in a fit body its the best!

[@rogerbright2716]

Ran a coffee roastery for 12 years and know what you mean. Felt a diminished return on capital with each new purchase but business required it to keep growing to next stage. You will have a good exit. Keep it up. Keep making sure you are cogs are right and everything is priced right. Ps would love to see your packing stage/processes! Big love from Australia,

[@restarthistory]

When is Amanda’s episode on this topic coming out? Would love to get the first hand story from the person who does all the work.

[@TheSammymax]

Would love to get anything “first hand” from Amanda so I get what you’re really trying to say...😏

[@paulbasilio2457]

You guys are doing It The right way There are no shortcuts wish you good luck it’s hard to find good bakery or any bakery nowadays forward to the next video

[@tbernardi001]

I worked for small businesses for most of my early life. Invariably the owners would say there are 2 parts to any business: The specifics of the topic of the business (baking the bread, fixing the car, taking the photos, etc) and then the business side. Larger companies have the luxury of having people dedicated to just the business side, where the small business owner has to handle both sides.

[@e.l.norton]

I grew up in my family's bakeries, which they had for about 30 years. It can be a great business and a great place to learn a lot about life, amazingly. But, man! It is a rough business today. This guy seems to have the right perspective. I hope he can make it work for decades.

[@charlestonyank2067]

As you well stated running a small business is never easy. One thing that you didn't speak to is to find a way to have "personal" time to decompress. After running technology businesses for many, many years this is very important. Make sure you at least take 3 day mini vacations. Keep up the good work.

[@cakebitch58]

In a daily food business a 3 day mini vacation is only a dream. Starting an artisanal business requires YOUR HANDS. From personal experience the problem is duplicating yourself. In my rural area skilled commetcial bakers are a rare find. We are too busy for me to train from scratch. Therefore I work 16-18 hours a day 6 days a week and half day on Sunday.

[@Groet]

Bakery machines were built to last. I've worked in a place with a mixer from 1927. I've got a small dough mixer at home that was repaired in 1958, don't know when it is from. I imagine it is very old because it has wooden tools instead of plastic as the newer ones.

[@briancollins1149]

"I think it was called 'The American Dream.'" I laughed out loud.

[@misskarla1377]

Jonathan, you should do TED talks. Your passion draws us in, and your content and eloquence speak volumes.

[@cachi-7878]

His name is Jonathan but I’m sure he gets called John all the time :)

[@misskarla1377]

Cachi, thank you for the correction. :)

[@denizskitchen2096]

Awesome

[@lucaromualdo8580]

AMAZING

[@joela6019]

Well said

[@marknorris3769]

pure genius

[@manadziveasv2418]

Same here first junk and now new

[@amritgurung5310]

Sir do you use potassium iodate and bromate for your sourdough bread....

[@tornsage6380]

PREDICTION: Proof Bread will be a new reality TV show - what a great program this would be!

[@Michael_McMillan]

I wish I could buy your bread here in California. No local bakery in my city.

[@rmarvinmd26]

What city are you in? There a lots of cottage food bakers starting out right now.

[@woutermaes3426]

do you think you could share a little more about investments you made? living in belgium where traditionnel bakers are dissapearing like snow for the sun i'm interested in the financial side of things since it does not make any sense to open a bakery right now , here in belgium. So i don't know if this is possible but what is for instance the biggest loan you got and what is the biggest amount of personal capital you have put up all at once? thanks and great video's!

[@luiscampos2458]

Always very interesting content, keep it up 👍 thank you

[@blakelew-merwin6662]

unrelated to this topic but shout out to Proof Bread for taking a stance against racism against black folks in our country. if I was in Arizona I'd support the F out of your store!

[@wakeup167]

Why dont you go down to Alanta and offer reparation snatch. The virtue signal is racism. Bend over and take it. Silly woman.

[@mickyboy223]

Hobart is good kit but beware when you delegate the work to your boys they don't change gears whilst it is running.

[@loman0071]

Cracking content keep up the posts I'm learning so much. I'm in the UK and love baking bread bud never seem to get an ear on my loaf of sour dough and the base pulls up on cooking is this a under bulking/proofing issue

[@cpy]

There are a lot of variables. Make sure your levain has autolyse's enough, your starter is very active when you add it (more than doubled in volume), you don't skip any steps (bulk rise, bench rest, folding, proofing), and finally make sure you have a really good score to get that ear (correct angle, depth etc)

[@loman0071]

@@cpy your levain is your starter? And always autolyse for 1.5-2 hrs

[@S-K.]

@@cpy what distinguishes the levain from the starter in this context?

[@loman0071]

@@S-K. am I missing something I thought your levain was your raising agent/yeast culture or have I forgotten something?

[@cpy]

@@S-K. I apologize, I wrote this too quickly. I meant autolyse the dough. Starter = levain.

[@alonmbk]

hi man grat videos if i can sujst one ting is lift yore mixers a cupel of inches it will do miricals

[@chesteringosan7939]

i have been enjoying this channel like i did with munchies and bonapetite and i realized i haven't subscribed yet

[@pjvd3]

Have you considered hot and hamburger buns for summer?

[@chrismarks6060]

Do you guys have a dust extraction facility to keep the air clean from flour dust/clouds ?

[@cachi-7878]

Chris Marks Great point. I believe there’s a disease related to bakers’ environment due to the amount of flour they inhaled back in the day of manually mixing the dough and emptying those 50 lbs bags, especially if there was one baker only doing this task day in day out. I think they got asthma or something similar. I don’t know if that’s still the case nowadays but certainly something to be concerned with.

[@lotsofhairbutnomoney3705]

I believe they are intelligent enough to look out for their own workplace hazards. You don't need to do it for them.

[@cachi-7878]

Lots of Hair but No Money You obviously haven’t been following his videos. Jon often asks for ideas from his viewers, he doesn’t pretend to know everything.

[@chrismarks6060]

Lots of Hair but No Money I’m not sure if you’re replying to me or to Cachi, but regardless I’m asking as I’m wondering about startup coatings for a bakery vs what can come later. I notice when I’m doing small batch sizes (8-10) I get a fair amount of flour dust settling on surfaces. I am hand mixing though.

[@nickhenderson6246]

Your knolage baking and bread is immense we have conversed before and the major problems with small businesses grow and grow and grow his control over the final product which makes you successful in the first place but standards drop demise of the whole Kingdom

[@cbcbcbcc]

This guy is the ELON MUSK of baking bread

[@SivenMs]

Honors to you for working hard. Honors to your wife for working hard (even when you keep talking over her shoulder while she is doing it... :) ). Super interesting information, but all I could think was "go somewhere else to talk!". :)

[@carlosUY1]

I would love to know the name of the bread books in the living room / kitchen

[@cachi-7878]

I know he has Tartine Bread by Chad Robertson because he’s referenced that bread in a previous video. I can only guess what else he’s got. If you’re interested I can share some of my favorites.

[@davidcurry1818]

Ditto on all the comments before mine, and likely after. Not a single flame-war, and many kilograms (never cups!) of love. Your family is far larger than you know. Now start training your bakery manager so you and your family can take time off, catch your breath now and then, and get that balance! ;D

[@TheSammymax]

Shut up..

[@doubledjr4938]

WAIT! DID YOU SAY WEBSITE????

[@rhondahauser6443]

Can anyone recommend an oven that will bake 50 loafs per day at home?

[@harveya9883]

Besides the fact I love your videos..I have to ask, did anyone ever tell you that you sound like Ryan renolds?

[@shawn1900]

OMG! I have been trying to figure out why he sounds so familiar. Thank you!

[@nathan1641]

Watching yours and others videos lately really has me inspired, I started baking at the beginning of stay at home orders around 3 months ago now, having already committed and started an LLC for my "bakery" and a website. Now I have stumbled across your channel in my quest for bread baking knowledge and you are really pushing my belief of how possible this is. I would love to talk to you sometime. You can check out my early bread projects @thewheatnpath on Instagram. Thank you so much for the informative videos and the drive that seeing someone doing it like this brings to the world!

[@shawn1900]

Some times I forget I am watching a bakery video.

[@BradGerick]

6:13 Oops! 😅

[@magicpigfpv6989]

Need some help developing an open-source software package to help streamline the business?

[@panagiotispantazopoulos6141]

Scale up to home deliveries with minimum orders. Also back up your data to an external hard drive. Computers do fail..

[@dancaulfield1008]

This dude fuckin loves bread.

[@kresokatic]

From “this should be lectured on collage” to “you should run the ministry of economy”

[@ablreed]

Have you guys ever thought about using a customer service database, like Salesforce for your data? I know one of those products would cut the time you spend imputing and sorting data drastically. If you make a lot of sales online, most databases would input your data automatically and allow you to run reports with just a click of a button. I have mostly worked with Salesforce and I know they have great free tools online to learn about their product.