Ep.4 Our First Holiday as bakery owners 

gretchen, you probably never thought when you were at the bakery you would be doing a podcast style video talking about the bakery. you also probably never thought you’d calm this girl with anxiety with your baking videos but you did throughout the years. and you still do. you deserve all good things in life and i ask for whatever higher power there is out there gives it to you ❤

Wow, this backstory of the bakery is a testimony in perseverance and hard work. I remember watching your videos and thinking wow it must be amazing to own your own bakery; if I only knew all the heartache and backaches. As always you still amaze me. Happy and blessed New Year ❤❤❤❤

This is soooo interesting, can’t wait to hear the rest! I’ll think of you when I stress about doing ONE cake for a family member, that should calm me down… 😊 Love everything you’re doing

Man! I’m so glad to see you here. Love you, thank you for sharing

It's crazy! Love the story

Whoa I didn't even know about this series, I have a bit of catching up to do!

You have a great sense of humor and a gift for story telling.

😂OMG … I can sooo relate to the prep kitchen coworker drama story. 🤦‍♂️. I’m so glad dealing with that stuff is behind me right now.

Ugly cry 😂😂 I felt that 😂😂😊😊

Oh Gretchen I love you more after listening some attentive to the story . You are one brave woman I can't find words to express my admiration for you and your team. You deserve the best.

And after this 9-5 office jobs people Are no longer jealous of cupcakes and sprinkles jobs 😂

I’ve been following you since you started on RU-vid through all the highs and lows. I am so proud of how you overcame all of the obstacles. You rock!❤

I see something behind all your stories: God loves you.

❤ I love how you take charge and you put everyone in their place. I mean, i’m sure you weren’t the biggest ass about it but you didn’t sugar coat and shy away from dealing with the issues And I absolutely sympathize with the nightmare issues and the coming together (and the ones who don’t come together), the not sleeping, the literally losing it. But getting it done. That’s what makes the memories. That’s what gives you appreciation for the staff and the teamwork and the time. It’s a nightmare and kills your body, but it’s great to have that experience under your belt to give you that understanding. Builds character.

Gretchen, I started tearing up at you crashing at the end.. omg. I remember a lot of the stuff you shared back then during the videos. Thank God for Phil. I remember The video when you made the butter spritz cookies with the small little Hobart you mentioned that yeah the day after Thanksgiving it doesn't stop till Christmas. And for you to really be busy that you had a good business with all the orders that you said you got back then when you did say it back then I remember lol So you had a really good clientele there. Now I understand why you closed it 10 years later.

I am really enthralled with your storytime at the Woodland Bakery. I worked in bakeries for 20 years...in store bakeries and private bakeries. I always wanted to own a bakery, but listening to these horrific events at your bakery make me so glad that I never had the support or funds to do it. I could never get my ex on board to open a bakery, and he would tell me that there was so much more to running a bakery that I was clueless about. I always resented him for that...but if I had heard your terrible experiences back in the nineties when I was so hell bent on owning my own bakery, I think I would have understood what he was string to say to a very stubborn woman. One bakery, in particular, that I worked for was in Milford Michigan, and it looked so similar to your bakery. We did those giant hand decorated cookies...EVERYDAY...when we weren't decorating cakes, and they were so time consuming!!! Thinking about your coolers dying in the middle of summer, I can't even imagine!!! We also had a five tier carousel oven, but it had wire racks...not heavy stone...again, I cant even imagine the train wreck as it collapsed one tier onto the next!!! Anyway...I am really enjoying your adventures in owning a bakery., and I look forward to the next installment. I love your channel Gretchen!!!

Your story is amazing and I remember thinking why is she selling her bakery not knowing what you went thru. Now I am looking for Episode 5 whre is it?? The best to you always.

Holy Crap, Gretchen!!!! I've followed you for many years and heard many stories from you, both on RU-vid and even in messages/ conversations with each other. Either I don't remember this fully, or I blocked it out out of concern for you, but honey! No wonder you became a bodybuilder! Once things were a bit calmer, you needed an outlet! Can't wait to hear more! I'm imagining at least 20 episodes! 😅😂😂😂😂

Gretchen I will say a prayer for you and your bakery. You deserve a blessing. I love your story and your recipes. Hope 2024 is a great year for you. Best wishes ❤❤❤❤ LuAnn

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. I was thinking that your negative portrayal was probably an accurate impression at the time, which, after it's passed, naturally seems to have had good as well as bad aspects. I have great respect for you for getting through all these challenges with your sanity and love of baking intact. I don't think I could have. Thanks for posting and Happy New Year!

Gretchen, these stories are great. A lot of hard work and a lost of valuable lessons learned. Thank you for sharing.

I FEEL all of that ❤, it feels like a constant physical and mental marathon, been down that path. You did awesome! 🙌

Amazing what you went through with your bakery! I can’t believe the nerve of that woman employee who suggested that you and Drew get another job!😂

Another great podcast as always, Gretchen.

I actually totally remember you in the Crumb Boss videos talking about the water from the refrigeration. (At least I think that I remember it from the early videos)

Hi love your vlogs... Can you share egg free donuts recioes please both frying version and airfry or oven baked version . Find it really difficult to make especially frying version all raw every time i make. Finger shaped donuts filed with cream and jam also the ring donuts . I would love to follow your vegan recipe for donuts

Aw, Eli looks like an awesome addition! I’ve always dreamed about working in a bakery but now I’m kind of glad I didn’t! 😅 Love the story time tho! I looked it up and see Woodland Bakery is still open and going! Have you ever stopped in for a visit since selling? I’d love to but I’m all the way out in Utah. One day perhaps! Can’t wait for the next episode!!