Last updated at 11:37, Tuesday, 04 December 2012

SHAUN Bryant, 44, is the owner and baker at Broughton Village Bakery.

FLOUR POWER: Shaun Bryant with colleague Mandy Copley at work at Broughton Village Bakery JON GRANGER REF: 50041084B001

What was your first job?

I was an apprentice engineer.

Describe the company you own in one sentence.

An artisan bakery and cosy cafe where everything is freshly made on site each day, using good quality ingredients, and served with friendliness.

How many hours do you work a week?

We average 125 hours. The baking starts at about 4.30am and then we have the shop and cafe to run from Tuesday – Sunday.

When that closes at 5.30pm we start on all the paperwork and preparation for the next day.

It’s our first business and our first year and there’s a lot to learn.

How many people are you responsible for?

We have one full time baker, and several part time staff.

What’s your greatest achievement?

I think overcoming all the pitfalls that 2012 threw at us has been our greatest achievement.

We have had to work incredibly long hours to get where we are now and I’m very proud to look back and recognise where we have come from to where we are now.

We are fortunate to have a team that are proud to work for Broughton Village Bakery and this transfers to the customer service and the food they receive.

What gives you the biggest work buzz?

We’re very lucky to have an excellent full time baker with a great work ethic. We bake a large variety of fresh produce for the cafe and shop each morning. I enjoy busy mornings when the bake goes well and everything clicks into place.

What’s your motto at work?

‘We create it, make it, and bake it’.

What’s the best thing about being a boss?

Not having anyone looking over your shoulder telling you what to do and when to do it; we try to remember that when dealing with staff. We encourage them to take ownership of their roles so they have a sense of pride in the job that they do.

What’s the worst thing about being a boss?

Definitely the weight of responsibility and pressure that comes with that for decisions made in achieving what we want to achieve.

Your first car?

A Fiat Regatta. Don’t ask me why. Probably because it was cheap!

How do you relax?

With the business open six days a week and the seventh day used as a catch up on admin, stock taking and all the other jobs you don’t get done in the week, we find little time to relax.

What’s the best thing about doing business in Cumbria?

Cumbria is so beautiful it attracts visitors all year round. Visitors seem to love local Cumbrian food that isn’t mass produced, and the locals support local food so it’s a win-win situation.

Something your employees would be surprised to find out about you...

We work together all day, every day so they already know too much! I’ve got to keep some things a secret.

First published at 11:36, Tuesday, 04 December 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk