A Sweet Small Business Success
How the Impact Lab helped Vanessa Corrales sustainably expand her vegan pastry business
Vanessa Corrales started her business in 2018 by selling pastries to wholesale companies in the San Diego area.
She started offering a "split" menu featuring both vegan and traditional baked goods. That's how Split Bakehouse was born.
During the pandemic, she started offering home delivery services and made her menu 100% vegan; in 2021, she opened a bakery window in La Mesa. Now, Split Bakehouse has four pickup locations throughout San Diego, with pastries available at more than 40 coffee shop locations.
But as a new entrepreneur with ambitious dreams, Vanessa needed guidance to help her business expand while maintaining its purpose and foundation.
The Problem
When Vanessa joined the Impact Lab, she encountered several challenges.
She knew that she didn't have the capacity for her growing business at its existing location and was looking at opportunities for expansion to another location. She was also looking to optimize how she paid herself and her team while planning for growth.
Lastly, she needed some guidance on small-business finance, including options to fund her new retail space.
Where mission edge came in
We paired Vanessa with a financial expert and the comprehensive support she needed to address her challenges.
Together, they completed a revenue forecast for her business and worked on strategies for capacity management, compensation, and supplier-related issues.
The Impact Lab also helped Vanessa explore funding options for her new retail space and advised her on documenting the personal funds she'd poured into her business.
The solution
After working with the Impact Lab to create a financial model for her business, Vanessa adjusted her fixed expenses and navigated supplier issues to benefit her bottom line.
She also received guidance on lead generation and building relationships with potential business partners. Overall, Vanessa better understood her business's financial needs and potential funding sources.
You can see results, too
It can be intimidating to ask for help in the small business world — sometimes, it can feel overwhelming just to know where to start.
If, like Vanessa, you want to be able to . . .
Get your small business finances in order
Expand your offerings while staying true to your mission
Know the value of professional support for building a sustainable business
. . . our program is an excellent fit for you.
There's only one way to be invited to apply — apply today!
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