Lakeland bakery makes Forbes Next 1,000 list
Catherine Hawley reports
LAKELAND, Fla. - A small business owner in Polk County is being recognized as a standout entrepreneur. She just landed a spot on the Forbes Next 1,000 list.
Whether you’re in the mood for something savory or sweet, there’s something on the menu at Born & Bread Bakehouse that’s sure to hit the spot. The chicken pot pie is just awesome. It almost tastes like something your grandmother made, customer Terry Lanier said.
Customer Mike Williams added, This is probably the best bakery I ve ever been to, I think. The food here is just amazing.
Smurr said she feels a lot of people underestimate all the skills required to successfully startup and launch a business. All of the nuances and things that go into running a business are way bigger than the craft sometimes, she said.
In the past six years, Smurr has moved her business out of the Catapult entrepreneur center to an established storefront at 1113 S. Florida Ave. She now employs 38 workers, who help to produce a wide variety of old-fashioned crusty breads, buttery croissants, sandwiches, cookies, tarts, quiches, scones, cakes, muffins and more.
Last year, the bakery made $1.3 million in revenue despite the pandemic. Smurr still sees more room for her business to grow.
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