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What It's About
This career baker finds a batter way to make and ship his delectable cheesecakes.
Business Model
Product
Skills Required
Baking & Marketing
Complexity
Low
Profit Potential
Medium
Words of Wisdom
Dave shares what has kept him motivated during his journey; “"The job worth doing, is worth doing well." That quote has been my mission statement in every position I've worked, and I truly believe that my pride of workmanship shows in each and every cheesecake I make (and I make a lot of cheesecakes).”
Fun Fact
Some of the earliest evidence of cheesecakes dates all the way back to 2000BC. Since then it’s become one of the most famous desserts in the world and was even served to athletes in the first Olympic Games in 776BC.
Notes from Chris
Episode 1338
David Brooks has been a working chef for thirty-five years. Throughout that time he’s worked in restaurants, bars, supermarkets, and catering companies, bringing culinary delight to eaters in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Upon visiting a local chocolatier, David noticed the store selling slices of cheesecake. Being somewhat of a cheesecake connoisseur, he asked the owner about his personal opinion on the cake. “It’s good, but a little pricey” was his response. This sparked the pilot light in David’s mind. He asked the owner a simple question; “If I could make you a cheesecake just as good, that was fresher and less expensive, would you try it?” With the response of “Yes,” David decided to restart his original side hustle, and Dave’s Artisanal Cheesecakes was born. He celebrated with what he called the “Money Dance.” David began to network with previous colleagues and employers. One that really worked out was a meeting he arranged between a local food supplier and a restaurant equipment vendor. Putting the two businesses together opened up options for David as well. Both businesses referred him customers as a result which led to an explosion in volume, from a handful of orders per day to over two hundred in a week. Fast forward a few years to today, and Dave’s Artisanal Cheesecakes is on track to do well over six figures in sales this year. While that isn’t all profit, David makes more than enough to earn a good living. He’s doing it on his own—pandemic be damned—and he’s finally happy in his career.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Order your own cheesecake from Dave's website, DavesArtisanalCheesecakes.com.
- Proud Mainer Brings Whoopie Pies to the World: After her kids go off to college, this former stay-at-home-mom begins baking whoopie pies in bulk. She now makes them by the thousands, selling more than $25,000 in creamy inventory each month.
- College Student Bakes 1,500 Cheesecakes to Pay Tuition: This “College Confectionista” pays for college by baking and selling cheesecakes—as many as 324 in a single week.
- Bodybuilder Bakes Heavyweight Protein Cakes: This mom of three loved her bodybuilding routine, but not the accompanying diet. After learning to make a healthy, protein-dense cake, she clears the bar to self-made success.
Quote of the Day
"This thing of ours that began as a side hustle has provided me not yet with riches, but with independence, the very best thing I could find."
—David Brooks #SideHustleSchool
