The Bread Project doesn’t just provide training for jobs in the food industry, we also provide support, mentorship, and kitchen space for people looking to launch their own food businesses. Over the years since launching the Entrepreneur’s program we’ve seen many success stories, but this month we’d like to share the story of our first Incubator graduate, Joyce Tang, owner of Bake Sum.
In 2015, Joyce left the tech industry to chase her dream of owning her own bakery. In need of space and equipment, she connected with The Bread Project and became the first entrepreneur to go through the program. In 2016 she launched her wholesale business, selling pastries to local restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops.
“It was a one woman show,” said Tang. “I would prep everything, bake everything, deliver everything.”
The business was growing and successful, but like so many other food businesses, the pandemic was devastating.
“It basically caused our entire business to implode overnight,” Tang said.
She didn’t let that stop her from following her dream. With support from The Bread Project, Tang founded Bake Sum. Now, instead of selling to coffee shops, she was selling directly to consumers.
“Bakesum was essentially refounded again from The Bread Project,” she said. “Selling pastries essentially out [of] the back parking lot.”
Today, Bake Sum continues to grow, with its own bakery and storefront. Once a hidden gem in Oakland, the secret is out and Tang and her pastries have been featured everywhere from the San Francisco Chronicle to The New York Times. Through all the success, she still remembers her humble start at The Bread Project and is moved by our mission. Joyce’s time in the Entrepreneur’s program didn’t just benefit Bake Sum, it helped trainees in The Bread Project. She was able to rent industrial kitchen space and equipment instead of trying to acquire everything on her own. And the rental fees in turn helped fund another core program class through graduation. After attending a graduation ceremony she reflected on what it means to give someone a fresh start.
“They thought that the world had given up on them, but The Bread Project had not,” said Tang.
