Marlene Goetzeler is the President and Owner of Freeport Bakery, a 40-year-old Sacramento-based bakery specializing in cakes, danishes, and German-style pretzels. With her husband Walter, Marlene and her staff grew the bakery into an award-winning business and Sacramento staple. She is an active member of the Retail Bakers of America, where she served as president from 2014-2016.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- Marlene Goetzeler shares how she and her husband became the owners of Freeport Bakery
- The story behind the viral custom Ken-doll cake
- Marlene reflects on how the bakery benefits from the neighborhood’s shifting demographics
- What is Freeport Bakery’s best-selling item?
- Odette D’Aniello and Marlene share what they love most about the baking industry
- How did the pandemic impact the bakery’s business?
- Marlene offers marketing advice to new baking entrepreneurs
In this episode…
Have you made an impulse purchase lately? Did you buy it to satisfy your need for instant gratification? Or, perhaps it was a business investment?
When Marlene Goetzeler and her husband Walter learned a neighborhood bakery was for sale, they made a modest offer. To the Goetzeler’s surprise, the owners accepted. As a novice business owner without surplus cash, Marlene leaned into her creativity and mastered the art of guerilla marketing. Fast forward 37 years, their business is thriving, and she’s sharing her knowledge with up-and-coming bakers.
Listen to this episode of The Celebrity Gourmet Podcast, where host Odette D’Aniello chats with Marlene Goetzeler, President and Owner of Freeport Bakery, to discuss the bakery’s humble beginnings. Marlene shares the story of how her Ken-doll cake went viral, her appreciation for the baking community, and the pandemic’s impact on the business.
Resources Mentioned in this episode
- Celebrity Cake Studio
- Odette D’Aniello on LinkedIn
- Marlene Goetzeler on LinkedIn
- Freeport Bakery
- Retail Bakers of America
- “Seattle’s Pie Bar Empress, Natalie Bleifuss”
- “A Brilliant Pandemic Pivot by Seattle’s Beloved Piroshky Piroshky Bakery”
- “The Value of Elevating Traditional Food Concepts With Katie Poppe”
Sponsor for this episode…
Today’s episode is brought to you by Celebrity Cake Studio, a family-owned and operated cake boutique.
Celebrity Cake Studio has been baking joy into all of their artistically designed cakes and desserts for 21 years.
They are proud to work with a vibrant team of cake designers and bakers that help you celebrate the sweet moments in your lives.
They have received numerous awards, winning Best of Western Washington for many years in a row and various small business accolades.
To learn more about how you can celebrate yourselves or the ones you love, visit www.celebritycakestudio.com or email them at info@celebritycakestudio.com.