Modern Entrepreneur - Mississauga's Kate Clipperton
/In conversation with Kate Clipperton, owner of Mississauga’s Kate’s Town Talk Bakery.
How long have you been an entrepreneur for?
Just over 10 years.
What led you to become one?
I was downsized from the corporate head office at Blockbuster Canada. While I was still employed at Blockbuster, I had started a home-based catering business with a couple of girlfriends. After the downsizing, I focused on the catering business, while I looked for another corporate gig.
Then I got word that the previous owners of Town Talk Bakery & Fine Pastries were looking to retire and sell their bakery, and without too much thought, I grabbed the opportunity and bought the business. Being an entrepreneur and small business owner is not something that I had given any thought to, but I am glad that I took that leap.
What did you do prior to owning Kate’s Town Talk Bakery?
I was a buyer at the Blockbuster Canada Head Office, I bought all the consumables (think chips, chocolate, pop and ice cream) for all the Blockbuster Canada stores.
Prior to working at Blockbuster, I spent a year backpacking through Australia and New Zealand by myself.
You've celebrated 10 years in serving the community - what do you attribute to your success?
Consistency, quality products at a reasonable price and great customer service. And a lot of really hard work.
How do you unwind?
There’s not a lot of downtime when you own and operate a small business. But yoga, reading trashy romance novels, spending time with family, friends and dogs all keep me level.
How has the bakery evolved in the past 10 years?
I bought an existing business and there was a customer base that came with it, along with all the recipes. I changed many of the recipes from the previous owners and we continue to experiment with new recipes. But the underlying feel of the business has not changed over the past 10 years. We are warm and welcoming and offer home-baked goodness.
One of the best compliments that I can receive is when a customer tells me that our baking reminds them of their mom’s or grandma’s. Which makes total sense – our butter tart recipe was from my Grandma Doris – and exactly what I was hoping to achieve when I decided to buy the bakery.
How have you earned the respect and support of the community?
We strive to offer a terrific and consistent product, matched by great customer service. We understand that there are lots of other options for our customers and appreciate that they choose to support us. We bake everything by hand, on site to ensure quality and freshness.
What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?
Make sure that whatever you do, it is something that you love! And surround yourself with good people. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the unwavering support of family and friends. And I am very fortunate to have excellent staff working with me.
What's been your proudest moment as an entrepreneur?
Opening day and our 10 year anniversary! I had no idea how it would all turn out, and am proud that I have been able to establish a business that continues to thrive.
How do you react to obstacles to overcome them?
I am fortunate that I haven’t too had many obstacles to overcome. Though when our only oven broke down, several years ago, at the beginning of the Christmas season, there was definitely a moment or 2 of panic. But then you reach out to your support system and put a plan together to find a solution and fix the problem.
Not to say that it hasn’t been hard work. It has and continues to be. When I started the business, I really didn’t know what I was doing and that was a bit terrifying. I knew I didn’t know everything but I also knew that I had a strong support system of people that wanted to see me succeed. And when you have the support, there’s no obstacle that you can’t overcome.
Why did you pick Mississauga to set up your business?
I was born and raised in Streetsville, to parents who have spent pretty much their entire lives in this town and were both very involved in the Mississauga community. When I heard the bakery was for sale 10 years ago, I didn’t hesitate because I knew that the community of Streetsville and Mississauga would not hesitate to support one of their own.
And they continue to support us. I couldn’t be more grateful.
What does 2020 look like for you professionally?
We will continue to grow the business by focusing on the catering side of things, along with participating is various butter tart festivals from Midland to Niagara Falls and various other locations.
If you didn't own Kate’s Town Talk Bakery, what would you be doing?
I would likely have ended up back in the corporate world, if I didn’t take a chance on buying the bakery. It really was a dream of mine – I just didn’t know it at the time.
What three things are essential in your day to day life?
Earl grey tea, laughter and music.
And of course, my family and a talented team at the bakery that makes it all happen, day in and day out.
What's your favourite flavour of butter tart?
Definitely raisin! At heart, I'm a traditional girl. The tart recipe is my Grandma Doris' and she always made
hers with raisins.
I didn’t realize how divisive raisins were as an addition to butter tarts but people have very strong opinions.
