From a Chef to an Operator: How to Start your Own Brand
Mr.Bake Queeman
Kareem Queeman, known as Mr. Bake, offers a comprehensive guide on transitioning from a passionate baker to a successful brand owner in his knowledge series. This series explores fundamental steps such as skill development, blending formal culinary training with practical experiences, and the nuances of creating and scaling a personal brand within the bakery industry. Through detailed discussions on overcoming challenges, innovative branding, and effective marketing strategies, Mr. Bake provides invaluable insights and personal anecdotes that empower culinary professionals to develop distinctive and thriving businesses.
Episode 1: Culinary Roots
Kareem "Mr. Bake" Queeman attributes his baking passion to his family's Southern cooking heritage. Inspired by his grandmother and mother, he started baking as a child, embracing his love for sweets and learning traditional recipes.
Episode 2: How to build a culinary toolkit
Kareem Queeman pursued both formal culinary education and hands-on internships to build his baking skills. He combined learning in culinary school with real-world experience in various New York City bakeries, emphasizing the value of testing one's dedication through industry work before committing to culinary education.
Episode 3: Establishing a Brand - Mr. Bake Sweets
Kareem Queeman's motivation to transition from baker to brand owner stemmed from a lifelong desire to be self-employed and impact the community. He absorbed lessons from various bakeries, developing a unique approach with the goal of creating a neighborhood bakery. Managing all tasks independently, Kareem joined supportive organizations, which helped him establish and grow his brand.
Episode 4: Overcoming Challenges in Starting a Brand
The biggest challenge for Kareem was believing in himself, despite positive feedback. As an African American and gay man, he also faced discrimination and societal stigmas. Financial constraints marked the early stages of building his brand, leading him to use shared kitchen spaces. He advises new chefs and bakers to seek mentorship and join supportive organizations.
Real stories behind the line
Konstantin explores the challenges restaurants face with new technology adoption, highlighting how Tabmeal simplifies the process by handling menu transfers for operators. He discusses common barriers like time constraints and steep learning curves and how Tabmeal’s easy-to-use platform helps streamline operations. Konstantin shares insights on how the platform optimizes communication around menu updates and inventory management, reducing the workload for restaurant staff. He also predicts future digital trends in areas like guest loyalty programs, inventory management, and staff scheduling. This episode focuses on helping restaurants adopt technology with minimal disruption.