Client Success: Jennifer Griffith The Oven Bakery, LLC

Jennifer Griffith was a talented baking hobbyist and dreamed of being a business owner so when she learned that The Oven Bakery was for sale, she researched its viability and spent her personal savings to make the purchase. The bakery, in downtown Mount Shasta, was established in 2008 and it features wood-fired, organic artisan sourdough bread. “Buying an existing business has advantages and disadvantages, but the benefits have outweighed the disadvantages,” Jennifer says. The original owner told her about the free, valuable services provided by the WBC at JEDI and Jennifer signed up as a client right away. She has been able to get help with her bookkeeping, as well as advice on managing a business.

When Jennifer bought the business in Aug. 2022, there were 2 employees. In Oct., she was busy enough to hire a third. She feels that the employees are happy to have her fresh enthusiasm and attitude. When Jennifer took over, the bakery had an existing stall at the Mount Shasta Farmers’ Market (a project of JEDI), and she jumped right in. It helped her to connect, face-to-face, with the community and she was able to sell to SNAP participants by accepting EBT tokens. Jennifer says that she is going to look at what it takes to be a SNAP retailer so participants can purchase organic bread and baked goods right from her store.

"The WBC at JEDI has been amazing. I think I would be lost, a new business owner in a new community, without their services. I tell friends and family, when they ask how it's going, about the support I've received. I am so thankful."

Jennifer Griffith, The Oven Bakery, LLC Mount Shasta, CA