Rebaking My Life: A Transition from Finance to Bakery

Hello, I’m Emília, and after nearly 30 years working in corporate finance, I reached a point I no longer felt the same passion for my work. My job had become routine, and the joy I once found in it had faded. At the same time, I had always had a love for baking—whether it was making bread for my family or experimenting with new recipes on the weekends. The idea of turning this passion into a business had been in the back of my mind for years, but I wasn’t sure how to make the leap from finance to baking. That’s when I discovered the SASSI project, and everything started to change.

Developing New Skills and a Business Mindset

Through the resources offered on the SASSI Hub, I gained the practical knowledge and confidence needed to turn my baking hobby into a business. Although I had extensive experience in finance, managing a small business required a different approach. The SASSI provided me with insights into how to create a business plan, market my products, and manage in a way that was sustainable for a small, artisan bakery.

I started small, testing my products at local markets and receiving feedback from customers. This not only helped me refine my offerings but also gave me a better understanding of what my local community wanted. I used this feedback to adjust my menu, focusing on organic and locally sourced ingredients, which aligned with current consumer trends and my own values of sustainability.

Building Confidence

The transition from corporate finance to running my own business wasn’t without its challenges. At first, I was nervous about leaving behind the security of my long-established career. However, the community of like-minded individuals, gave me the confidence to push forward. The networking opportunities were invaluable, and I found myself inspired by others who had successfully reinvented themselves later in life.

One of the key lessons I took was the importance of viewing setbacks as opportunities to learn. For example, when my first attempt to launch an online store faced challenges with logistics, the contacts I made in the project´s events helped me re-evaluate my strategy. I participated in a workshop on e-commerce that provided me with practical tools to better manage my supply chain and customer service. Within months, I was able to launch “Pastelaria Artesanal da Emília” as a fully functional online store with a strong online presence, connecting with customers through social media and digital platforms.

Looking to the Future

This career change has brought me a deep sense of personal fulfilment. I wake up every morning excited to get to work, knowing that I am building something meaningful with my own hands. I’ve discovered that it’s never too late to pursue a passion and create a fulfilling second career. I am now looking forward to expanding my business even further, exploring the possibility of opening a physical bakery and continuing to grow my community of loyal customers.