Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Bingham.
Kari , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I come from a background in Hospitality and have always enjoyed baking. I decided to go to Culinary School in my mid twenties and really enjoyed my time. Once I graduated I went back into the retail world working for Trader Joe’s for 10 years and when landing in Greenville I realized this may be my opportunity. I have never lived in a city that supports farmers markets as much as Greenville and the surrounding area. I started the business in 2019 and really enjoyed it but didn’t go full time until 2021. I really want to provide the best product I can to our customers. We use all organic flour from Lindley Mills out of North Carolina, we use all Happy Cow Dairy Products and source local eggs and honey. If we are using any fruits and Vegetables I try my best to work with local farmers and use what is in season. I do my best to keep our breads and baked goods as clean as possible.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting your own business always has its battles. When doing farmers markets you never know what each market may look like sales wise. You hope for the best but have a plan for the just in case. I have found a great home at the Simpsonville Farmers Market and that is what I consider my home market. I do amazing at that market and most days sell out. I have been in many markets that I am not as lucky so you learn where to be and where maybe not to be. Wholesale became available to cottage bakers a couple years ago and that was an amazing way to have sales through out the week but came with all new challenges to figure out. I am still looking to expand but the hardest part about that is figuring out what that looks like. Do I hire more bakers or people to run markets what do I give up and what do I need to put more focus on? There is always something to think about!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am bread baker with a Bachelors degree in Art. I have always been creative and loved doing things that are hands on. I have worked in Restaurants since I was young and always loved the fast pace. Baking for me is being in my happy place. When I am making bread it is my place of Zen. I think most people know me for having a variety of great breads/products. I use great ingredients and in turn that makes great bread. I am very proud of the quality of products I put out. I don’t sell anything I wouldn’t feed my own family. I care about every part of the process and I think that is what sets me apart from the others.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I really had a great childhood so I have a lot of great memories. The one that stands out that may have been the start of my love for baking would have to be my fifth grade teacher Mr. Brown. His class was unlike most classes. Mr Brown had a mission of showing students that if they worked hard and did well you can come out on top and still be rewarded with experiences that are life lessons. Each week the students would work towards climbing to the top of the mountain ( a mountain on the wall that was point based). If you made it to the top of the mountain first with your team you got the opportunity to bake bread on Friday for the rest of the school. Students at the beginning of the week had the opportunity to buy a small loaf of bread for I think $.50. At the end of the week the numbers would be totaled and the winning team then had to make the correct amount of bread so they could pass it out to the students that placed an order. I can’t begin to tell you how hard I worked each day to earn points so I could be one of the students baking the bread on Friday . I got so much joy from those days learning how to do something new. It is pretty crazy to think today…. that something like baking bread in fifth grade may have set me on the path that I am on today.
Pricing:
- 4.00 lowest
- 12.00 highest
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vintagecrustbakingco.com
- Instagram: vintagecrustbakingco
- Facebook: vintagecrustbakingco
