Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandie Nathan.
Sandie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started Elixir Kitchen Space almost 10 years ago as a way to help people get started with their own food based businesses. I am a baker and could not legally bake out of my house, but did not want the expense and overhead of a traditional bakery. Elixir came about as a kitchen incubator, providing commercial kitchen space on an hourly basis to help caterers, bakers, food manufacturers, and food trucks to get permitted and on their way to becoming viable businesses. I rent space in the kitchens for my custom cakes and baked goods, and it is available for others to rent as they need it.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Starting a new business is never without its challenges! When Elixir first opened, there was a lot of education involved about what we did, if it was legal, and how the process worked. Now, we have established ourselves with the local health departments and have become a resource of information for food entrepreneurs because the laws and food regulations are pretty tricky to interpret.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Elixir Kitchen Space and Bakery story. Tell us more about the business.
I am most proud of our efforts to help educate people and encourage them that they can start the food business they have been dreaming of. Most clients come to Elixir after they have been turned down for a contract because they do not have their own commercial kitchen and permits. We provide a cost effective way for them to get into the industry, have a kitchen when they need it, and be fully permitted.
On my personal baking side, I love helping people make memories with cakes! When I client sends in a picture of a cake at their event, it makes all the hard work worth it.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not a huge believer in luck. Good things happen when you work hard and put the effort in. Change happens, whether good or bad, but being open to change is essential in a small business. We have clients that “graduate” out to their own kitchen frequently. While it’s the goal of all our clients and certainly an exciting time for everyone, it leaves a gap in our schedules that need to be filled. Being able to roll with changes and find new opportunities isn’t easy, but necessary.
Pricing:
- Hourly rental starts at $25 per hour
- Cakes start at $50, all custom orders
Contact Info:
- Address: 3789 N Beach St, Ste 209
Fort Worth, TX 76137 - Website: www.elixirkitchenspace.com, www.elixirbakery.com
- Phone: 8176589119
- Email: sandie@elixirkitchenspace.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/elixirbakery
- Facebook: Facebook.com/elixirkitchenspace
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