For Paul Aboud, owner of the Hearthstone Artisan Bakery in south Nanaimo, his training laid the foundation that has earned his business a national reputation for making high-quality breads and pastries, but equally important were his experiences after graduating.
“Much of the knowledge I gained about running a business was paying attention to the way things were done at the different bakeries I worked at between graduating and opening Hearthstone,” he says.
Hearthstone opened with lineups out the door, and has been keeping its promise of using only high-quality ingredients to make delicious baked goods ever since – the shop has been featured on YTV’s The Zone and The Food Network. It hasn’t been a walk in the park, Aboud cautions, but it’s also been an incredibly rewarding experience.
“Starting your own bakery from scratch is not a piece of cake,” he says. “It’s hard work and the process can be fraught with obstacles, unexpected blockades and surprise costs. But then, you’re a baker and you already know that the biggest thing you’ll get out of your career is knowing you make an excellent product, your customers are dedicated and loyal, and your staff is gung-ho on producing the best items consistently.”